You might be limited on space, but unless you're living in a closet, almost every home has a window or two. With just a little effort, a simple window box can make a big impact and dress-up an otherwise boring exterior. Here is are ten beautiful window gardens, from herbs to succulents.

Window boxes full of flowers, vegetables, or herbs are perfect for small spaces. Depending on what you choose to plant, you can add a boost of color to your exterior or create an edible garden without losing precious patio or balcony space. This is the perfect project for you to show your creativity; don't feel you have to choose the typical window box plants like geraniums or petunias. Do you love to cook? Why not plant an culinary herb box, lettuce salad bowl, or small vegetable garden. Or, if you often open the windows in your home, you may want to consider aromatic flowers like lavender, heliotrope, and phlox. If you usually buy fresh flowers at the market, consider planting a cutting garden by using zinnias or cosmos. These are super easy and inexpensive to start by just sowing the seeds directly in the box, covering them with a 1/4" of soil, and keeping the soil moist. To get you thinking, a few other themed takes on the window box could include a butterfly garden, succulent desert garden, or even a medicinal garden.

Remember that it's important to take into consideration how much sun your window receives. If you have a south facing window, it might be best to plant drought tolerant plants like coneflowers, lamb's ear, or succulents so they aren't in constant need of watering. If you decide against that, try adding polymer moisture crystals to the soil. These tiny crystals soak up water and release it back into the soil as it dries out. On the opposite side of the spectrum, if you have a shady window, choose shade lovers like ferns, hostas, or astilbes. Being mindful of your growing conditions will only make your window garden more successful! Also, remember to choose a container that complements the style of your dwelling. I wouldn't choose a Victorian planter if I lived in an ultra modern apartment building.


Images: 1: the kitchn, 2: Design*Sponge, 3: You Grow Girl, 4: House Beautiful, 5: Hub Pages, 6: Flickr member daneen licensed for use by Creative Commons, 7: Apartment Therapy: Chicago, 8: Sunset, 9: Flickr member z_everson licensed for use by Creative Commons, 10: Southern Living

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