If you love fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs but don’t want to always drive to the grocery store to get them, consider container gardening.
It is a rapidly expanding movement with the rising cost of food and people becoming more conscious of what they are eating. You now see apartment balconies lined with containers and even in the smallest of spaces, you can grow enough food for your family.
Having fresh and handy fruits, vegetables and herbs is not the only advantage to container gardening. In containers, you can grow exotic edibles, extend the growing season, and overcome zone limitations and space constraints. You know what you are eating, where it comes from and you will most likely have enough to share with others.
Container plants can be easily protected from pests and diseases. You have greater control over the nutrient supply; you can adjust their environment by moving them around: and give them spot treatments when necessary.
Here’s a selection of the best fruits, vegetables, and herbs for containers. They are chosen for ease of growing, consistent yield, and nutritional benefits.
1. Strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa)
Perfect for hanging baskets or containers, strawberries delight with sweet, juicy berries. Choose a sunny spot and enjoy a steady supply of these red gems.
- Container Type: Hanging baskets or strawberry pots.
- Growing Tips: Ensure well-draining soil and ample sunlight. Harvest ripe berries regularly for a continuous yield.
2. Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum)
Compact tomato varieties like cherry or patio tomatoes flourish in containers. Stake or cage them for support and relish the joy of homegrown tomatoes.
- Container Type: Deep pots or self-watering containers.
- Growing Tips: Provide support for indeterminate varieties. Choose compact determinate types for smaller spaces.
3. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
A kitchen essential, basil thrives in pots. Harvest regularly to encourage bushy growth and use it to add flavor to your favorite dishes.
- Container Type: Small to medium-sized pots.
- Growing Tips: Pinch off flower buds to encourage leaf growth. Regularly harvest leaves to promote bushiness.
4. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Leafy greens like lettuce are perfect for containers. Plant different varieties for a colorful and nutritious mix for your salads.
- Container Type: Shallow, wide containers or window boxes.
- Growing Tips: Sow seeds in succession for a continuous harvest. Keep the soil consistently moist.
5. Mint (Mentha spp.)
Mint is a prolific herb that adapts well to container life. Keep it in check by planting in a separate pot to prevent it from spreading too vigorously.
- Container Type: Any size container with good drainage.
- Growing Tips: Contain the spread by planting in a separate pot. Regularly trim to promote fresh growth.
6. Bell Peppers (Capsicum annuum)
Bell peppers, with their vibrant colors, thrive in containers. Provide support as they grow, and enjoy fresh peppers for your culinary creations.
- Container Type: Large pots with support for heavy fruits.
- Growing Tips: Stake or cage plants to support the growing peppers. Provide full sunlight.
7. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Chives are a low-maintenance herb that adds a mild onion flavor to dishes. Plant them in containers and enjoy their slender green shoots.
- Container Type: Small to medium-sized pots.
- Growing Tips: Harvest chives frequently for fresh, mild onion flavor. Divide clumps every few years.
8. Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.)
Dwarf or patio blueberry varieties are well-suited for containers. These compact bushes produce sweet and nutritious berries.
- Container Type: Large containers with acidic soil.
- Growing Tips: Use a mix of peat moss and pine bark. Prune annually for shape and fruit production.
9. Radishes (Raphanus sativus)
Radishes are quick-growing and perfectly suited for containers. Sow them in succession for a continuous harvest.
- Container Type: Shallow containers or window boxes.
- Growing Tips: Plant in well-draining soil and harvest when roots are young for a crisp texture.
10. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Rosemary, a fragrant and hardy herb, is well-suited for container gardening. It’s drought-tolerant and thrives in sunny locations.
- Container Type: Medium to large pots with excellent drainage.
- Growing Tips: Prune regularly to maintain shape. Thrives in full sunlight.
11. Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus)
Bush cucumber varieties are excellent for containers. Provide vertical support and enjoy fresh, crisp cucumbers in salads or snacks.
- Container Type: Large containers with vertical support.
- Growing Tips: Provide a trellis or stakes for vining varieties. Regularly water and fertilize.
12. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
Parsley, a versatile herb, can be grown in containers for a steady supply of fresh leaves. Choose a deep pot to accommodate its taproot.
- Container Type: Medium-sized pots with well-draining soil.
- Growing Tips: Sow seeds directly or transplant seedlings. Harvest outer leaves for continuous growth.
13. Carrots (Daucus carota)
Short-rooted varieties of carrots are well-suited for container gardening. Enjoy the convenience of harvesting fresh carrots from your pots.
- Container Type: Deep containers to accommodate root growth.
- Growing Tips: Choose short-rooted varieties. Thin seedlings to prevent overcrowding.
14. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Thyme is a drought-tolerant herb that adapts well to containers. It’s a flavorful addition to various dishes and grows well in sunny spots.
- Container Type: Small to medium-sized pots.
- Growing Tips: Trim regularly to encourage fresh growth. Well-suited for sunny locations.
15. Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala)
Kale, a nutrient-packed leafy green, is well-suited for containers. Harvest outer leaves for a continuous supply of this superfood.
- Container Type: Large pots or deep containers.
- Growing Tips: Harvest outer leaves for a continuous supply. Protect from extreme heat.
16. Dwarf Apple Trees (Malus domestica)
Dwarf apple trees are perfect for small spaces. Choose a variety suited for containers and enjoy the delight of homegrown apples.
- Container Type: Large containers with good drainage.
- Growing Tips: Choose dwarf varieties suitable for containers. Prune to shape and maintain size.
17. Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
Oregano, a pungent herb, does well in containers. It’s a flavorful addition to Italian and Mediterranean dishes.
- Container Type: Medium-sized pots with well-draining soil.
- Growing Tips: Harvest before flowering for the most intense flavor. Thrives in full sunlight.
18. Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
Spinach is an excellent choice for container gardening. Plant in well-draining soil and harvest young leaves for salads or smoothies.
- Container Type: Shallow, wide containers or window boxes.
- Growing Tips: Sow seeds in spring and fall. Harvest young leaves for tenderness.
19. Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)
Cilantro, a staple in many cuisines, thrives in containers. Ensure a sunny location and harvest leaves regularly.
- Container Type: Medium-sized pots with well-draining soil.
- Growing Tips: Sow seeds directly or transplant. Harvest leaves before flowering for the best flavor.
20. Dwarf Citrus Trees (Citrus spp.)
Compact citrus varieties like dwarf lemon or lime trees are well-suited for containers. Enjoy the fragrance of citrus blossoms and the taste of homegrown fruit.
- Container Type: Large containers with well-draining soil.
- Growing Tips: Choose dwarf lemon or lime varieties. Provide ample sunlight and protect from frost.
Container gardening opens up a world of possibilities for cultivating fresh, homegrown produce in even the smallest spaces.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, these 20 plants provide a diverse and delightful selection for your container garden.
Embrace the joy of nurturing plants, and savor the satisfaction of harvesting your own fruits, veggies, and herbs right at home.