Window wells provide a unique opportunity to add greenery and style to the exterior of your home. Tucked beneath ground level, these recessed areas offer shelter, ample moisture, and protection from extreme weather – an ideal environment for a variety of plants to thrive.
Beyond just planting, window wells allow you to flex your creative muscles. With the right décor and furnishings, they can be transformed into beautiful, decorative focal points brimming with your unique personal flair.
This comprehensive guide will provide you with expert advice and innovative ideas to help you make the most of your window wells. Let‘s explore the possibilities!
Table of Contents
- Benefits of Planting in Window Wells
- Choosing the Right Plants
- Preparing Window Wells for Planting
- Decorating Your Window Well
- Using Window Wells as Greenhouses
- Improving Sunlight and Temperature
- Converting a Window Well into a Greenhouse
- Safety Considerations
- Creative Window Well Ideas
- Resources and Inspiration
Benefits of Planting in Window Wells
Window wells provide an ideal environment for growing plants. Here are some of the benefits:
- Protection from weather extremes like cold, heat, wind, and heavy rain
- Shelter from animals and lawn mowers that might damage plants
- Excellent drainage from surrounding soil and irrigation overflow
- Abundant moisture and humidity from being in the ground
- Reflected sunlight off the home‘s exterior walls
- Convenience for gardening without bending over
- Visual interest by softening the home‘s architecture
When choosing plants, focus on specimens that will thrive in the window well‘s specialized growing conditions. Avoid invasive species that might escape and overtake your yard.
Choosing the Right Plants
Many plants are well-suited to the enclosed environment of a window well. Consider these options:
Hardy Succulents
- Sedums
- Sempervivums
- Echeverias
These shallow-rooted succulents tolerate drought once established. Provide fast-draining soil.
Moss and Groundcovers
- Irish moss
- Creeping phlox
- Ajuga
- Sweet woodruff
- Lamium
These spreading groundcovers fill in quickly and choke out weeds.
Ferns and Shade-Lovers
- Japanese painted fern
- Autumn fern
- Hostas
- Astilbes
- Hellebores
Filtered sunlight and abundant moisture suit these woodland classics.
Herbs
- Chives
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Mint
Vining herbs may need pruning. Potted herbs work too.
Annuals and Perennials
- Begonias
- Impatiens
- Calibrachoa
- Geraniums
- Viola
- Ferns
For seasonal color, plant heat-tolerant annuals. Perennials provide year-round greenery.
Vines and Climbing Plants
- Clematis
- Morning glory
- Climbing nasturtium
Direct vining plants up decorative obelisks and trellises.
Preparing Window Wells for Planting
Proper preparation creates an environment where your plants can thrive. Follow these tips:
- Clear debris like leaves and rocks from the bottom of the well
- Install a drainage mat lined with landscape fabric to prevent weeds
- Fill the well with gravel, lava rock, or sand to increase drainage
- Mix in organic compost or fertilizer to enrich the soil for plants
- Include moisture-retentive polymer crystals in soil for hanging baskets
- Add decorative edging like bricks or pavers around the well perimeter
Aim for a minimum 8-inch depth for adequate soil and drainage. Refill soil and gravel as needed over time.
Decorating Your Window Well
Beyond plants, incorporate decorative touches to create visual interest:
Pots, Planters and Containers
Use weather-resistant pots and planters to provide mobility and visual pops of color. Hang containers along the walls with decorative hooks.
Lighting
String lights, lanterns, and solar stakes create a magical ambiance. Illuminate walkways and light up plants at night.
Decorative Frames and Edges
Frame the window well opening with bricks, wood, ornamental grasses, or other unique edging materials.
Stepping Stones and Pathways
Guide visitors through the window well garden with stepping stones, gravel pathways, or mulch.
Sculptures and Art
Add whimsical, garden-themed sculptures, mobiles, or artwork. Change it up seasonally.
Furniture and Accessories
Outfit your window well with miniature benches, shelves, birdbaths, gazing balls and other decorative touches.
Signs and Plaques
Personalize with a colorful mosaic sign or family name plaque. Share garden tips with creative signage.
With thoughtful decoration, your window well can become a delightful, one-of-a-kind garden spot!
Using Window Wells as Greenhouses
The protected environment of a window well makes an ideal mini greenhouse. Follow these tips to convert your window well into a growing space:
Maximize Sunlight
Supplement natural light with grow lights. Use reflective materials like aluminum flashing to amplify sunlight.
Regulate Temperature
Insulate the window well and provide heat sources to maintain temperatures. Open vents to prevent overheating.
Increase Humidity
Introduce a humidifier or vaporizer to maintain humidity for tropical plants. Group plants together to retain moisture.
Provide Proper Ventilation
Ensure air exchange with vents, fans, and open-sided windows. Prevent mold/mildew with airflow.
Pick Dwarf Varieties
Choose miniature or dwarf fruit and vegetable varieties suitable for containers. Control growth with pruning.
Use Efficient Irrigation
Hand watering and drip irrigation targets the root zone without oversaturation. Use self-watering planters.
With the right growing conditions in place, window wells allow you to grow plants not normally suited for your climate zone.
Improving Sunlight and Temperature
To maximize sunlight and warmth in a window well greenhouse:
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Face the window well toward the south side of your home
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Prune overhanging tree branches that block sunlight
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Paint the interior back wall of the well white to reflect sunlight
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Insulate the interior walls with rigid foam board insulation
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Seal any cracks or gaps with caulk to retain heat
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Install plexiglass over part of the well to trap heat like a greenhouse
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Use a small space heater protected from moisture on cold nights
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Open windows or ventilate to prevent overheating on hot days
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Add grow lights on timers to supplement natural sunlight
Regulating temperatures and light will allow you to grow a diversity of plants suited to the conditions.
Converting a Window Well into a Greenhouse
Follow this step-by-step guide to convert an existing window well into a productive greenhouse:
Step 1: Plan the Layout
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Measure the dimensions of the window well and sketch a layout for where to place plants and accessories.
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Decide which half will be open to sunlight and which half will be enclosed.
Step 2: Build the Frame
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Construct a basic frame from PVC, wood, or metal to fit snugly into the window well opening.
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Attach hinges to one side to function as a lid. Include handles for lifting.
Step 3: Add Plastic Sheeting
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Cut UV-stabilized plastic or plexiglass sheets to fit the frame.
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Attach sheets with screws, channel frames, or durable weatherstripping.
Step 4: Install Insulation
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Cut rigid foam insulation boards to line the interior sides and back wall of the well.
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Caulk around edges to seal. This helps retain heat in winter.
Step 5: Add Accessories
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Install shelves to maximize space for plants and gardening supplies.
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Include ventilation fans, grow lights, heaters and other accessories.
Step 6: Start Planting!
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Fill with well-draining soil and compost.
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Select plants suited to greenhouse growing.
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Enjoy harvesting fresh fruits, veggies and herbs!
With a little DIY handiwork, you‘ll enjoy increased growing power. Monitor conditions closely and make adjustments as needed to keep plants thriving.
Safety Considerations
When installing plants, materials or accessories in a window well, keep these safety guidelines in mind:
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Check weight capacity before adding heavy materials like soil, rocks or concrete
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Avoid excessive weight that could cause the window well walls to buckle or collapse
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Direct water and irrigation lines away from the basement window
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Keep a 1-2 inch gap between soil level and the bottom of the window frame
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Monitor for leaks, cracks or deterioration of the well walls over time
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Ensure proper drainage to prevent flooding, mold and water damage
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Use protective window well covers to prevent falls and keep out debris
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Allow 1-2 feet of clearance around window egress for emergency escape
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Check local building codes for any restrictions on materials used
With safety and proper maintenance as your top priorities, you can creatively utilize your window wells while protecting your home.
Creative Window Well Ideas
Beyond just planting, get creative with these innovative window well project ideas:
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Build mini shelving to display collectibles and miniatures
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Create a miniature fairy garden complete with tiny benches and decor
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Paint the interior wall with chalkboard paint for an artistic canvas
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Etch designs into concrete wells with decorative concrete stamping
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Turn it into a cozy reading nook with cushions and pillows
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Make a miniature pond or water feature with recirculating pump
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Use the space to start seedlings in early spring before transplanting
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Stack colorful painted pots and garden art for a mosaic effect
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Store gardening supplies like gloves, tools and fertilizer out of sight
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Install a bench for a shady retreat on hot summer days
Consider seasonal decorating to keep your window well garden looking fresh. The options are endless!
Resources and Inspiration
For more window well inspiration and resources:
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Better Homes and Gardens – "Window Well Gardens" with beautiful examples and ideas
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The Spruce – "Can I Plant in a Window Well" with useful tips
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Good Housekeeping – "9 Gorgeous Window Box Ideas" with creative combinations
-rachaelraymag.com – Gorgeous "Window Boxes and Window Well Gardens"
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Hillary‘s – "How to Plant a Window Well" tutorial video
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The Home Depot – Resources for window well covers, landscaping and drainage
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Pinterest – Tons of beautiful window well garden boards with examples
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Etsy – Unique window boxes, planters, decor and greenhouse supplies
Get inspired and unleash your creativity to transform your window wells into something truly special! With the right plants and touches, these overlooked spaces can become a delightful highlight of your home and garden.
