Growing your own food is a rewarding way to enjoy fresh produce, and you don’t need a backyard to get started. A few pots, quality potting mix, and a sunny patio, balcony, deck, or porch can give you enough room to grow plenty of edible plants.
Container gardening works well for people with limited outdoor space, and it keeps herbs and vegetables close to the kitchen. These 15 fruits, vegetables, and herbs are worth trying in pots and planters.
Lettuce
Lettuce grows well in shallow containers because its roots don’t need much depth. Pick the outer leaves as they grow, and plant several varieties to enjoy a mix of colors and textures in your salads.
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Strawberries
Strawberries are a good match for containers because their plants stay fairly compact and grow well in hanging baskets, window boxes, and strawberry pots. Give them plenty of sunlight, water regularly, and pick ripe berries as they appear to keep production going.
Peppers
Bell peppers, jalapeños, and many chili varieties grow nicely in pots with enough room for their roots. Place the containers in a sunny spot, keep the soil evenly moist, and add a stake if the branches need support as the peppers develop.
Related: 15 Productive Fruits and Vegetables Perfect for Container Gardening
Blueberries
Blueberries grow well in containers, especially if your garden soil isn’t acidic enough. Use a large pot filled with an acidic potting mix formulated for blueberries, and choose a variety suited to your climate for the best chance of a good harvest.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are popular container crops, and compact patio varieties or determinate types are often the easiest to manage in pots. Give them at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight, water consistently, and use a sturdy cage or stake to support the plants as they grow.
Onions
Onions can grow in containers as long as the pot gives their roots and bulbs enough room to develop. Choose a container with good drainage, provide plenty of sunlight, and select onion varieties suited to your local growing season.
Related: 15 Fruits and Vegetables Ideal for Balcony and Patio Gardens
Beans and Peas
Bush beans grow well in pots and don’t need much vertical space, while pole beans and climbing peas can grow upward with a trellis. Give them plenty of sunlight and water regularly, and pick the pods often to encourage continued production.
Eggplant
Eggplant grows well in a roomy container filled with nutrient-rich potting mix, especially if you choose a compact variety. Place the pot in a sunny spot and add a stake when needed to support the branches carrying heavier fruit.
Basil
A pot of basil near the kitchen door makes it easy to grab a few leaves for pasta, pizza, salads, or homemade pesto. Basil likes warm weather, plenty of sunlight, and evenly moist soil, so water it when the top layer begins to dry.
Related: 13 Fruits and Vegetables You Can Grow Indoors Year-Round
Parsley
Parsley grows well in containers and can provide leaves for soups, salads, sauces, and everyday meals. Both curly and flat-leaf varieties do well in pots with good drainage, and regular harvesting encourages more growth.
Oregano
Oregano is a low-maintenance herb that grows happily in a container with well-draining soil and plenty of sunlight. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings, and trim stems as needed for seasoning vegetables, meats, sauces, and other dishes.
Garlic
Garlic can be grown in a deep container, making it a useful crop for gardeners with limited space. Plant individual cloves with the pointed ends facing up, give them sunlight and regular watering, and harvest the bulbs when the leaves begin to yellow and dry.
Rosemary
Rosemary adds fragrant greenery to a patio while providing sprigs for roasted potatoes, vegetables, meats, and breads. It prefers sunny conditions and well-draining soil, so avoid keeping the pot constantly wet.
Related: 14 Fast-Growing Vegetables You Can Harvest in Under 60 Days
Lemongrass
Lemongrass grows in clumps of tall, arching leaves and has a fresh citrus scent that works well in patio gardens. Plant it in a large container with good drainage, keep it warm, and give it plenty of sunlight; then harvest the stalks for soups, curries, marinades, and tea.
Cilantro
Cilantro grows well in pots and provides leaves for salsa, salads, tacos, and other meals. It tends to bolt in hot weather, so sow small batches every few weeks during cooler conditions to keep a steady supply of leaves.
