Whether you’re a pro gardener, a novice looking to flex your green thumb, or an urbanite with zero outdoor space, window boxes are a low-commitment way to grow summer plants, flowers, and herbs.

Window boxes have a certain reputation. They’re quaint, they’re cottage-core, they’re fussy. And while there are reasons for these preconceptions, there’s a lot more to the window box than all that.

If you enjoy gardening or gazing upon flowers and foliage, choose a window box to enliven your space. Window boxes are simple in design — they’re skinny rectangular pots — and this only adds to their ...