This post may contain affiliate links.
Planting something, watching it grow, and enjoying the fruits of your labor is one of life’s greatest joys.
Container gardening can be as fulfilling as large-scale farming when it comes to growing and harvesting your own food.
You don’t need a vast expanse—all you need is some space for buckets and containers and the ability to give your plants what they need.
Whether planting in your backyard, on a balcony, patio, or urban homestead, here are some of the best plants that are simply perfect to grow in containers.
What You Need for Backyard Container Gardening
Plants need certain things to grow. Gardening, no matter the scale or type, needs the same basic things. To have a successful container garden, there are five key things you will need to make sure you have:
The Survival Garden Seeds Home Garden Collection offers a robust selection of 30 seed packs with 18,500+ heirloom, non-GMO seeds for growing vegetables, fruits, and herbs year-round. This diverse mix includes cool and warm-season crops, ensuring a continuous food supply that can be harvested, preserved, and stored for long-term use. The seeds come in a reusable, waterproof storage bag.
- Space for the plants to grow
- Large enough containers
- Easy access to water
- Enough hours of sunlight
- Time to care for your plants
Plants and Herbs to Grow in Containers
1. Tomatoes
This is one of the easiest crops to grow in a home garden; tomatoes are also perfect for containers as the root systems are not overly extensive and thrive with minimal care.
Related post: How to Support Tomatoes
2. Lettuce
Many varieties of lettuce can be grown in a homestead container garden. It’s an excellent way to keep fresh lettuce on hand for your salads.
Related post: How to Wash & Store Lettuce
3. Strawberries
With a more compact growing habit and a good ratio of plant space to crop yield, strawberries work quite well in containers and are a good way to get fruit into your garden space.
4. Peppers
Pretty much any variety of pepper, from jalapenos to bells to chillis, can be grown in containers, making a wonderful staple crop.
5. Onions
So long as the container is deep enough to allow the bulb to grow properly, onions can easily be grown in containers with minimal care.
6. Beans and Peas
You have plenty of options with beans and peas, such as green beans, black-eyed
7. Eggplant
Eggplants can thrive in a large container that supports the root system and provides enough room for the plant to grow freely.
8. Broccoli
Depending on the size of your container, you can grow several broccoli plants in a single container on a balcony, patio, or any other outdoor space with ample room.
9. Cabbage
A little harder than some other crops, cabbage is still a good choice for a homestead garden limited to container gardening due to space constraints and limitations.
10. Potatoes
While you will need large and deep containers for them, potatoes are another edible plant that works well in a container setup and doesn’t require a lot of space overall.
11. Dill
Small in size but packed with plenty of flavor, dill is a common herb in homestead gardens. It thrives in containers and does well outdoors in a variety of environments.
12. Basil
A staple of kitchens everywhere, when you want to have fresh basil for your cooking adventures, there is no better place to get it than from your container garden spot.
13. Parsley
While it is often grown in the garden among other plants, parsley can also thrive in smaller containers, making it a great addition to your gardening layout.
14. Oregano
One of the big appeals of oregano is that it can easily be grown in a container, and it also offers a wonderful aroma that makes any outdoor space all the more inviting.
15. Garlic
With big flavor and small packaging,
16. Rosemary
Grown as a flowering plant and a cooking herb, rosemary is another herb well-suited for growing in containers and can be placed in small containers among your other crops.
Related post: How to Dry Rosemary
17. Chamomile
Anyone who wants fresh sleepy-time tea will love having a pot of chamomile on hand for those sleepless nights or when it is time to sit back and relax with some fresh tea.
18. Lemongrass
Full of flavor and tantalizing aroma,
19. Cilantro
A common addition to many recipes, cilantro can be kept in your garden space all season long by keeping a container of the flavorful herb.
20. Catnip
If you have a furry feline friend at home, consider making them their own little potted plant and keep some fresh catnip on hand for them to enjoy.
Much of the joy of gardening comes from seeing the fruits of your labor and enjoying it. Container gardening is a great way to practice more sustainably while ensuring you and your family have fresh food on hand when needed!
21. Blueberries
Blueberries grow very well in containers. It’s a great way to get fresh blueberries. Use it to make your favorite homemade blueberry preserves or as a topping on your pancakes.
Tamara White
Tamara White is the founder ofThe Thrifty Apartment, a home decor and DIY blog that focuses on affordable and budget-friendly home decorating ideas and projects. Tamara documents her home improvement journey, love of thrifting, tips for space optimization, and creating beautiful spaces.
This is great !
We live in snowy Michigan and it’s not too early to think about spring.
It will be here before you know it!