Joanna Gaines Always Uses This No-Fail Gardening Formula When Filling Her Planters

Gaines’ simple planter method offers a foolproof guide to creating stunning, balanced, and full-of-life planters every time.

If you’ve ever admired the perfectly-styled planters in Joanna Gaines’ home or garden, you probably wonder how she achieves such a lush, balanced look every time. In the fall issue of The Magnolia Journal, she shares her secret: the “thrillers, fillers, and spillers” method. This simple, yet effective design approach helps gardeners of all skill levels create eye-catching planter arrangements that are both beautiful and harmonious.

Thriller, Filler, and Spiller Method

The concept is straightforward and has been a staple in landscape design for decades, but Gaines' take brings a fresh, approachable flair. The formula divides the plants used in a container into three distinct roles:

Thrillers are the show-stopping plants, often tall or dramatic, that provide vertical interest and a focal point in the planter.

Fillers are the workhorses that add bulk, texture, and color to the middle of the arrangement.

Spillers trail or cascade over the edges of the planter, softening the shape and adding movement.

Using this formula ensures that your planter looks full, balanced, and dynamic, rather than flat or one-dimensional.

Why It Works

Gaines explains that when she uses thrillers, fillers, and spillers in her planters, she creates a natural rhythm and flow that mimics how plants grow in the wild. This method prevents overcrowding and gives each plant its own space to shine.

This approach is helpful for both beginners and experienced gardeners alike because it simplifies plant selection and arrangement decisions. Instead of guessing how to mix plants, you start with a clear structure. It also encourages using plants with different textures, colors, and heights, so your planter has visual depth and interest.

How to Use the Method at Home

To create a planter following Gaines’ no-fail formula, start by choosing plants for each category based on your climate, lighting conditions, and style preferences.

Choose Your Thriller: Pick a plant that draws the eye upward or adds height. It could be a bold grass, an upright flowering plant, or a striking foliage plant. The thriller anchors your arrangement and provides a strong vertical element.

Add Fillers: Fillers add volume and color and are generally mid-height plants with lush foliage or blooms that fill out the container’s center. Think of them as the “body” of your planter.

Finish with Spillers: Spillers soften the edges and add a flowing, relaxed look. Trailing vines or plants that cascade over the sides work best to create movement and make the planter feel complete.

Article Tags:

• Home Display