Whether you're new to growing in pots or looking to refresh your patio displays, the Thriller, Spiller, Filler technique is a simple but powerful method to design beautiful and balanced plant arrangements. This tried-and-true formula ensures that your pots look lush, dynamic, and well-composed throughout the growing season, especially in terracotta containers, which provide a warm, rustic backdrop for vibrant plants.
What is the Thriller, Spiller, Filler Technique?
Lets start by explaining what we're actually talking about here. The name kind of says it all, it’s about combining three types of plants with different roles
-
Thriller: This is the star of the show. A tall, eye-catching plant that adds height and drama to your pot. Usually placed in the center or the back, depending on the pot’s viewing angle.
-
Spiller: These plants cascade over the edges of the pot, softening the lines and creating a sense of abundance.
-
Filler: These are the supporting actors, bushy or mounding plants that fill in the gaps around the thriller, adding volume and texture.
The beauty of this technique is that it provides visual interest from every angle while being easy to replicate.
3 Stunning Thriller-Spiller-Filler Combinations for Terracotta Pots
Mediterranean Sunset
-
Thriller: Red Cordyline or Olive Tree
-
Spiller: Trailing Rosemary
-
Filler: Lavender or Santolina
This combination is perfect for sunny spots and evokes the relaxed charm of Southern Europe. The cordyline or olive tree provides height and structure, while rosemary spills over the pot’s edge with aromatic elegance. Lavender ties it all together with soft purple blooms and silvery foliage.
Tropical Bold
-
Thriller: Canna Lily (Red or Yellow)
-
Spiller: Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas, ‘Marguerite’ or ‘Blackie’)
-
Filler: Coleus (bright multicolored varieties)
Perfect for summer patios, this trio brings drama and bold color. The canna lily’s tall flower spikes and broad leaves command attention, the sweet potato vine cascades luxuriously, and coleus fills in with colorful, ruffled foliage.
Cool & Calming Shade Combo
-
Thriller: Caladium or Fern (like Boston or Kimberly Queen)
-
Spiller: Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
-
Filler: Impatiens or Begonias
Ideal for shaded corners, this mix brings softness and texture. Caladium’s heart-shaped, variegated leaves add flair, while creeping jenny offers a chartreuse trailing element. Impatiens or begonias add gentle color and volume in between.
Charming Cottage Garden
-
Thriller: Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) or Delphinium
-
Spiller: Creeping Campanula (Campanula poscharskyana) or Trailing Lobelia
-
Filler: Dianthus or Hardy Geranium (Geranium sanguineum)
This combination brings the whimsical, nostalgic charm of English cottage gardens into your container displays. The tall spikes of foxgloves or delphiniums add vertical drama and vintage appeal. Around the edges, the delicate blooms of campanula or lobelia spill in soft blues or purples, while dianthus or geraniums fill in the gaps with clusters of cheerful blooms and soft foliage.
Final Tips
-
Use high-quality potting mix and ensure your terracotta pots have good drainage.
-
Water more frequently, as terracotta dries out faster than glazed containers.
-
Don't be afraid to swap plants seasonally, pansies or ornamental cabbages work great in fall and early spring.
With just a little planning, you can create stunning container gardens that look as if they were designed by a pro. The Thriller, Spiller, Filler technique is not only easy to remember but endlessly customisable, so grab your pots, pick your plants, and let your creativity take root!
