Looking for the best vegetables for container gardening?You’ve come to the right place.Container gardening is a simple way to begin gardening,add more space to an existing garden, or make a garden portable.
Through the years I’ve grown many crops in containers, and these are my top picks for the20 best vegetables (fruit & herbs too!) that grow well in containers.
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When you are deciding what to plant in your containers, here are a few guidelines to follow:
When choosing to grow in containers,look for “dwarf”, “bush”, or “compact” varieties. These are smaller versions of full-size plants that do better in containers.
Becausecontainers limit the size of the roots and available water, some plants are better-suited to grow in containers. Adding an olla to your container helps provide regular water for your plants.
What is an olla?
Aclay pot with a narrow neck and bulging bodyused as a watering technique that reduces evaporation andmakes water available where it is needed by the roots.
The olla is regularly filled withwater, which seeps out through the porous wall of the pot into the surrounding soil and root zone of the plant.I useollas from Growoyain most of my containers.Use code GROWING to save.
20 Best Vegetables for Container Gardening
1. Tomatoes
Choose a large enough container (at least 10 gallons)and water it well. Tomatoes grow happily when given anoyaorself-watering containerthat will ensure consistent watering.Plant one tomato plant per containerand add atrellis when you plant. Determinate varieties are best for all but the largest containers.
Read this postto learn more abouthow to grow tomatoes.
2. Peppers
[left]Good drainage is a must for peppers, and containers provide that.Peppers also grow well with anolla.Choose at least a medium size container(5 gallons or larger).They also prefer warm soil, and containers will warm up more quickly in the spring. In cold climates, you can bring those same containers inside to overwinter the peppers.Provide support for peppers at time of planting.
Read this postto learn more abouthow to grow peppers.
3. Citrus Trees
Growing citrus in containers limits their size so I can add more varieties to my garden. Growing citrus in containers also keeps the roots out of your garden beds. In cooler climates, container-grown citrus can be brought indoors.Use anextra large container that holds at least 20 gallons of soil.
Read this postto learn more abouthow to grow citrus trees.
4. Potatoes
[left]I prefer growing potatoes in containers – it makes harvesting so simple!When the potatoes are done, just dump the container into a wheelbarrow.Choose at least a medium size container(5 gallons or larger)and use slightly acidic soil.
Read this postto learn more abouthow to grow potatoes in containers.
5. Summer Squash
[left]Summer squash can take up a lot of room in your garden, but grow happily in a container(5 gallons or larger).Leave plenty of room around the container for the plant to grow large.Ollasare a great choice to add with squash.Mostwinter squashgrow too large to grow well in containers, but smaller varieties like mini jack pumpkin also do well.
Read this postto learn more abouthow to grow summer squash.
20 Best Vegetables for Container Gardening (cont.)
6. Lettuce
Lettuce,spinach,arugula, and other greens are a perfect choice for small containers(2 gallons or larger). Most greens have a small root system and grow quickly.Give lettuce regular access to water(an olla is great for this) and they often grow better in containers. Lettuce is one of the best vegetables for container gardening.
Read this postto learn more abouthow to grow lettuce.
7. Eggplants
[left]Choose compact varieties like fairytale and bambino.Eggplants prefer warm soil; if you grow in containers then you can plant earlier in the spring.Stake eggplants to support branches and grow in a medium size container(5 gallons or larger).
Read this postto learn more abouthow to grow eggplants.
8. Peas
Put supports in place at time of planting.Peas’ shallow root systems make them a good choice for medium size containers(5 gallons or larger).Peas are easy to plant from seed.Look for dwarf varieties of peas like little Marvel, Sugar Ann, and Tom Thumb.
Read this postto learn more abouthow to grow peas.
9. Sweet Potatoes
Growing sweet potatoes in a container(at least 10 gallons)keeps them contained. Sweet potato vines grow quite large; let them grow and direct all that energy to the growing potatoes.Growing in containers makes harvesting sweet potatoes simple–just dump the container into a wheelbarrow.
Read this postto learn more abouthow to grow sweet potatoes.
10. Carrots
Choose a container that is 10-12 inches deep and holds at least 3 gallons of soil.Plant carrots by seed, and thin to 3 inches apart when carrots are 2-3 inches tall.
Read this postto learn more abouthow to grow carrots.
20 Best Vegetables for Container Gardening (cont.)
11. Cabbage
Cool-season crop that grows well in containers. It grows well in containers that are at least 10-12 inches deep and hold at least 5 gallons of soil.
Read this postto learn more abouthow to grow cabbage.
12. Onions
I love interplanting these in containers with other crops. Onions are an excellent companion plant. When growing bulbing onions, choose acontainer at least 12 inches deep.When growing green onions,choose a container at least 6 inches deep.
Read this postto learn more abouthow to grow onions.
13. Garlic
Garlic is a great choice for containers. Grow it all by itself or interplant with other crops. Garlic grows well even in small containers(2 gallons or larger).
Read this postto learn more abouthow to grow garlic.
14. Okra
This warm-loving crop grows through summer and into fall.Interplant quick-growing crops likebeansorcarrots, and then let okra take all the space when those finish.Grows best in a medium size container (5 gallons or larger).
Read this postto learn more abouthow to grow okra.
15. Swiss Chard
Swiss chard grows happily in small containers (2 gallons or larger).This good-for-you vegetable tolerates a little cold and a little heat.Easy to grow from seed or transplant,harvest as needed for months.
Read this postto learn more abouthow to grow Swiss chard.
20 Best Vegetables for Container Gardening (cont.)
16. Kale
Cool-loving and easy to grow. A frost improves kale’s flavor. Grows well even in small containers(2 gallons or larger). Kale is one of the best vegetables for container gardening.
Read this postto learn more abouthow to grow kale.
17. Cauliflower
Can be tricky to grow because cauliflower doesn’t like it too hot or too cold.It grows well incontainers that are at least 10-12 inches deep and hold at least 5 gallons of soil.
Read this postto learn more abouthow to grow cauliflower.
18. Strawberries
Growing strawberries in containers keeps them off the ground and away from pests. Day-neutral and ever-bearing types of strawberries do best in containers. Spinach is an excellent companion crop for strawberries.Choose acontainer that is at least 8 inches deep and holds at least 3 gallons of soil.
Read this postto learn more abouthow to grow strawberries.
19. Fig Trees
Growing fig trees in containers helps to control their size and slow growth. In cooler climates, they can be brought indoors. Use anextra large container that holds at least 20 gallons of soil.
20. Most Herbs
Most herbs, especially invasive ones like oregano, mint, and lemon balm, grow well in almost any size container and will expand to the size of the container.
More resources for container gardening:
