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Potscaping using the ‘Thriller, Filler and Spiller’ method

A modern outdoor entertainment area features planters with tall burgundy and green plants with cozy seating and wooden furniture.

Overview

Potscaping is a simple and effective way to bring structure, colour and life to any outdoor entertainment area - whether it’s a small balcony, a compact courtyard or a generous backyard. By combining plants of different heights and textures in a single pot or group of containers, you can create a lush, well-balanced display that suits any style. One of the easiest ways to get started is with the ‘Thriller, Filler and Spiller’ method.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, ear muffs, gloves and mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Steps

  1. 1

    Choose the right pot

    Start by selecting a plant pot that suits your space and gives your plants room to grow. Northcote Pottery offers a wide range of sizes, shapes and finishes, making it easy to find a style that complements your garden, courtyard or balcony. Look for a container that’s at least 40 - 50cm wide and around 40cm deep. This gives your plants enough space to develop strong, healthy roots. Make sure your pot has good drainage holes to prevent water build-up.

    Green Bunnings hammer
    Tip: Larger pots work well in corners or near entrances to anchor a space. Medium and small pots can be grouped for height variation. For the best visual balance, try arranging pots in odd numbers, like groups of three or five.
    Three modern, empty plant pots are displayed on a wooden deck to select the right style to match the space
  2. 2

    Prepare your pot

    Before adding any soil, place a layer of coarse gravel or scoria at the bottom of the pot. This improves drainage and helps prevent root rot. Then, fill the pot with a premium potting mix suited to your chosen plants. Avoid using garden soil, as it may not drain well in containers.

    A person is preparing the pot for planting by adding a layer of scoria for drainage.
  3. 3

    Use the right tools

    The right gardening tools can make potting faster, easier and more enjoyable - especially when working in tight spaces. A Trojan hand trowel is ideal for precision planting, helping you dig, lift and firm soil exactly where it’s needed. Then grab a pair of Trojan gardening gloves to keep your hands protected and comfortable while you work. They’re perfect for tackling tasks like lifting plants, handling potting mix and working with gravel.

    A set of gardening tools and gloves is laid out on a wooden deck, helping you choose the right gear to make potting quicker and easier.  
  4. 4

    Start with the ‘Thriller’

    Your ‘Thriller’ is the hero of the pot - a tall, eye-catching plant that brings drama and vertical interest to your arrangement. Great options to consider are Cordyline, Upright Kangaroo Paw or a Grass Tree, but you can choose any plant that suits your climate and the growing conditions. If your pot will be viewed from all angles, plant the thriller in the centre.

    For pots placed against a wall, position it towards the back to create height and depth.

    A person wearing gloves is placing a Cordyline Red Star plant with exposed roots into a planter filled with soil
  5. 5

    Add the ‘Fillers’

    ‘Fillers’ are the mid-height plants that add volume, texture and contrast to your potscape. Choose varieties that complement your thriller in both colour and growing conditions. Great options include Compact Westringia, Eremophila or smaller Grevilleas – all great Australian native plants.

    Plant them around the base of your ‘Thriller’, making sure to leave enough space for them to grow and fill out.

    A person wearing gloves is planting a Pretty n Pink Serruria florida Rosea next to a tall plant in a planter box to add volume, texture and contrast to your potscape
  6. 6

    Finish with the ‘Spillers’

    To soften the edges of your pot and create a flowing, finished look, add ‘Spillers’ - trailing plants that cascade over the sides of the container. Popular trailing plant choices include Native Violet, Creeping Boobialla and Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’.

    These varieties help tie the whole display together while adding a sense of movement and softness to your arrangement.

    A person wearing gardening gloves is planting a Dichondra Silver Falls trailing plant in a white pot that cascades over the sides of the container
  7. 7

    Match plant needs

    When choosing plants, it’s important to select species that share similar light, water and soil requirements. This ensures all the plants will thrive together in the same container. Stick to sun-lovers or shade-tolerant varieties depending on your spot.

    Green Bunnings hammer
    Tip: This is especially important if you live in a fire-prone area.
    A mix of potted plants is placed on a sunny deck, chosen for their similar needs to thrive together, whether sun-loving or shade-tolerant.
  8. 8

    Water and maintain

    Once everything is planted, give your plants a good drink to help the roots settle. Keep your display looking its best with regular watering, feeding with a slow-release fertiliser, and occasional pruning to encourage healthy growth. Potscaping is flexible - plants can be swapped seasonally or transferred to the garden once they outgrow the container.

    A mix of potted plants is placed on a sunny deck, chosen for their similar needs to thrive together, whether sun-loving or shade-tolerant
  9. 9

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Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer.