Container gardening opens up a world of possibilities for anyone who wants to grow their own plants but lacks traditional garden space.
Whether you’re living in an apartment with just a balcony, renting a home where you can’t dig up the yard, or just want more control over your growing conditions, container gardening offers the perfect solution.
You don’t need acres of land or even a backyard to create a thriving garden. A sunny windowsill, a small patio, or even a fire escape can provide a bounty of fresh herbs, vegetables, and flowers. (Just be sure to keep fire escapes clear enough for their actual purpose!)
What is Container Gardening?
Container gardening is exactly what it sounds like: growing plants in containers rather than directly in the ground. These containers can range from traditional terracotta pots and plastic planters to repurposed buckets, wooden boxes, or even old household objects.
Unlike traditional in-ground gardening, container gardening gives you complete authority over every aspect of your plants’ environment. You choose the soil, control the drainage, decide the location, and can even move your garden as needed.
Containers do tend to require more frequent watering, but significantly cut down on weeding and, in many cases, pests. It also allows you to grow in small spaces or in places you couldn’t normally garden, like on balconies or patios.
Essential Supplies for Container Gardening
Containers, Obviously
It goes without saying that to get started with container gardening, you need containers. I’ll go into more detail about choosing the right type of container in the next section, but for now, let’s just say that you have tons of options, from raised beds to plant pots to grow bags.
The Right Soil
Yes, there is a difference between potting soil, raised bed soil, and just plain gardening soil.
Garden soil, even high-quality garden soil, is too heavy for containers. It doesn’t drain well in the confined space of a pot, leading to waterlogged roots and plant death. Garden soil is designed to work in the ground where natural drainage, earthworms, and soil microorganisms create the right environment for plant roots.
Potting soil, also called potting mix, is specifically formulated for container use. It’s lighter, drains better, and often contains ingredients like perlite or vermiculite to improve aeration and water retention. Quality potting mixes are sterile, meaning they’re free from diseases, pests, and weed seeds that could plague your container garden.
Raised bed soil falls somewhere in the middle. It’s formulated to work in raised beds where drainage is better than ground level but not as controlled as containers. While raised bed soil can work in very large containers (around 20+ gallons), it’s still heavier than ideal potting mix and may retain too much moisture in smaller containers.
Pre-fertilized potting mixes can give your plants a head start, but they’re not essential. You can always add fertilizer later, and sometimes it’s better to have control over exactly what nutrients your plants receive.
Watering Equipment
Container plants need more frequent watering than ground plants, making efficient watering equipment essential for success.
A basic watering can or hose with a gentle spray attachment will handle most container gardening needs, but there are several options to consider based on your setup size and personal preferences. If you opt for a watering can, be sure to choose a size you can comfortably lift when full. A 2-gallon can might seem efficient, but it weighs over 16 pounds when full.
Watering wands or hoses with adjustable spray nozzles work well for larger container gardens. Look for nozzles with a gentle shower setting that won’t disturb soil or damage delicate plants.
Self-watering systems are ideal for gardeners who prefer a low-maintenance approach. These range from simple plant spikes that slowly release water to drip irrigation systems that can water dozens of containers automatically. Even basic self-watering planters can reduce your daily maintenance significantly.
Personally, I’ve been meaning to have my husband print some of these little nozzles that we can use to recycle water bottles to water my garden.
Basic Gardening Tools You’ll Need
A few quality, multipurpose tools will handle most container gardening tasks.
A good hand trowel is indispensable for planting, transplanting, and soil work in containers. You don’t need anything fancy, but choose one with a comfortable grip and sturdy construction. A trowel with measurement marks can help you judge seed planting depth.
Pruning shears or scissors are essential for harvesting, deadheading flowers, and generally maintaining plant health. Clean, sharp cuts heal better than tears, so invest in quality shears and keep them sharp. Many container gardeners find that small, precise scissors work better than larger pruning shears for delicate work.
Gloves protect your hands and make gardening more comfortable. Thin gloves don’t provide much protection, but bulky gloves make detailed work difficult. I suggest a thin glove with rubber-dipped palms to keep your hands safe from thorns while also giving you extra dexterity.
Choosing the Right Containers
Choosing the right containers for your container garden is, as you might expect, one of the most critical steps in establishing your container garden.
Here are some things to think about:
Plant Type
Herbs generally need less space than vegetables and can thrive in containers 6 to 12 inches deep, depending on the particular variety.
Fruiting vegetables need significantly more space. Tomatoes, for example, require containers at least 20 gallons for indeterminate varieties, while determinate types can produce well in 10-15 gallon containers.
Root vegetables present special challenges because they need depth more than width. Carrots need containers at least 12 inches deep for full-size varieties, while shorter varieties can work in 8-inch deep containers.
Portability vs Planting Space
Large containers hold more soil, require less frequent watering, and support bigger plants with better yields. However, they’re heavy, difficult to move, and require sturdy support surfaces. A gallon of water weighs about 8 pounds, and moist potting soil weighs roughly the same.
Be sure to do the math to judge whether you’ll be able to move your container, rather than just eyeballing it.
Of course, portability isn’t always an issue. In the case of permanent installations, larger containers almost always perform better.
Container Types
Traditional pots work best for small to medium plants. They’re available in countless sizes and materials, making it easy to find options for any plant and situation.
Raised beds are a more permanent option that can support multiple plants and provide excellent growing space. They’re ideal for larger vegetable gardens and can be built to comfortable working heights. However, they require more initial investment and can’t be moved easily.
Grow bags offer excellent drainage and air circulation to plant roots while being lightweight and collapsible for storage. They work particularly well for plants that benefit from superior root aeration and are excellent for renters who might need to move frequently.
Window boxes maximize growing space in narrow areas and work well for herbs and trailing plants. They’re perfect for apartment dwellers with limited outdoor space but need secure mounting and regular watering due to their shallow depth.
The humble five-gallon bucket deserves special mention as perhaps the most versatile and cost-effective container for many vegetables. Food-grade buckets provide enough space for a tomato plant, several pepper plants, or a mixed herb garden at a fraction of the cost of purpose-made containers. They stack efficiently for storage and their uniform size makes garden planning straightforward.
Materials
Terracotta and clay pots provide excellent breathability for plant roots through their porous walls, creating healthier root environments. However, they’re heavy, break easily, and require more frequent watering due to their porosity. They also crack in freezing temperatures unless protected.
Plastic containers offer lightweight portability and excellent moisture retention. They come in virtually infinite sizes, shapes, and colors, making it easy to find options that fit your space and aesthetic preferences. Quality varies widely, so look for UV-resistant options that won’t become brittle after sun exposure. They’re also very affordable, but plastic is not the most environmentally friendly choice.
Wood is a natural material that provides excellent insulation for plant roots, and is also an easily accessible material for DIY containers. Wood containers can be heavy when large, but are generally more stable in wind than plastic alternatives.
Metal containers conduct heat, which can stress plant roots during hot weather, but they’re extremely durable and create striking architectural elements. Light-colored metals reflect heat better than dark colors, and proper drainage is essential to prevent water accumulation.
Fabric grow bags represent a newer option offering excellent drainage and air pruning of roots. They’re lightweight, foldable for storage, and relatively inexpensive, though they dry out quickly and may not last as long as hard containers. They work particularly well for plants that benefit from superior drainage and root aeration.
Step-by-Step Container Gardening Setup
Selecting Your Location
Location selection can make or break your container gardening success. Most edible plants need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, while many flowering plants also prefer full sun conditions. Before you buy a single container, spend time observing your available space throughout the day to understand its light patterns.
Track how sunlight moves across your potential garden areas during different times of day and seasons. What seems like a sunny spot in winter might be heavily shaded by neighboring buildings or trees during summer. Conversely, areas that are partially shaded in spring might receive intense afternoon sun once trees leaf out fully.
Consider practical factors beyond just sunlight. Is there convenient access to water? Is the area protected from strong winds?
Think about visibility and accessibility, too. You’ll enjoy your container garden more if you can see it from indoors, and you’re more likely to notice problems early if your plants are in a frequently traveled area. Be mindful when placing containers, though, especially permanent ones. You want ample space to move between them.
Preparing Your Containers
Start by ensuring adequate drainage. If your containers don’t have drainage holes, create them. Use a drill with a bit appropriate for your container material, making holes about ½ inch in diameter every few inches across the bottom.
Some gardeners place a layer of gravel or pottery shards in the bottom of containers, believing this improves drainage. However, research shows this actually creates a “perched water table” that can keep soil soggy longer. Skip the gravel layer and simply use quality potting mix that drains well on its own.
Clean containers thoroughly before use, especially if they’ve been used before. A diluted bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) kills disease organisms and removes salt buildup from previous use. Rinse thoroughly after cleaning. Bleach residue can harm plants.
For new terracotta pots, consider soaking them in water before use. Dry terracotta absorbs water rapidly from soil, potentially stressing newly planted plants. Pre-soaking helps prevent this initial moisture shock.
Creating the Perfect Soil Mix
While you can certainly buy pre-made potting mix, creating your own blend allows customization for specific plants and often costs less for large container gardens. A basic container mix combines ingredients that provide good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrition.
I’m not going to talk too much about soil mixes here, but there are plenty of resources out there already, and you can also keep an eye out for my own additions in the future.
Planting Techniques
Planting in containers requires slightly different techniques than ground planting. Fill containers with soil mix, leaving about an inch of space at the top to prevent soil and water from spilling over the rim during watering.
For transplants, dig holes just large enough to accommodate the root ball. The top of the root ball should sit at the same level it was growing in its original container. Gently tease apart circled roots before planting.
When direct seeding, follow the instructions for depth and spacing. You can often plant slightly closer together than the packet says, but don’t overcrowd so that plants compete with each other.
Initial Watering and Care
Water thoroughly until you see water draining from the bottom holes. This way, the entire soil mass is moistened and the soil settles around the roots, eliminating air pockets that can cause roots to dry out.
Avoid the common mistake of frequent light watering. Water deeply, but infrequently. This allows the soil surface to dry slightly between waterings while keeping the roots consistently moist.
Keep a careful eye on newly planted containers for the first week. Stress symptoms like wilting or yellowing leaves can appear even with proper care. Fortunately, most plants recover quickly once their roots can spread out.
Consider providing temporary shade for newly planted containers, especially during hot weather. Even sun-loving plants can benefit from reduced light stress while they establish. A simple shade cloth or temporary placement in partial shade for a few days can make a significant difference in plant establishment success.
Best Plants for Beginning Container Gardeners
Best Vegetables for Container Gardening
Some vegetables almost seem designed for container growing, offering reliable yields with minimal fuss.
Lettuce and leafy greens mature quickly, don’t require deep containers, and can be harvested continuously by picking the outer leaves while the centers continue growing.
Radishes offer nearly instant gratification, while bush beans produce prolifically in containers without requiring trellises or extensive space.
Cherry tomatoes excel in containers more than their full-size relatives. Peppers of all types thrive in containers, often producing better than ground-grown plants.
Best Herbs for Container Gardening
Herbs represent the perfect introduction to container gardening because they need little space and most are naturally adapted to challenging growing conditions. They often even prefer the improved drainage that containers provide.
Personally, I have basil, parsley, rosemary, mint, oregano, and more in pots in my garden right now.
Best Container Flowers
Flowering plants in containers provide beauty, attract beneficial insects, and can even provide cut flowers for indoor arrangements. Many flowers actually perform better in containers than in ground plantings because you can control their growing conditions more precisely.
Marigolds, zinnias, nasturtiums, and petunias are all excellent choices for growing flowers in containers.
Best Container Fruit Trees & Plants
Fruits are the most difficult category of garden plants to grow in a container, but you do still have options:
Strawberries are perhaps the best fruit for beginning container gardeners. Hanging baskets work particularly well for strawberries, but they also do great in pots and beds.
Blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries all adapt surprisingly well to container culture. Dwarf varieties stay in manageable sizes while producing full-size berries.
Dwarf citrus trees thrive in large containers and can even be brought indoors during winter in cold climates. Figs can be grown in containers and actually fruit better with restricted root space. Many varieties are self-pollinating and produce two crops per year in favorable climates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What vegetables grow best in containers?
Leafy greens (such as lettuce, spinach, and kale), herbs (like basil, parsley, and cilantro), cherry tomatoes, peppers, and bush beans are ideal for container gardening. They have compact growth habits and reasonable space requirements. Avoid corn, large squash, and indeterminate tomatoes unless you have very large containers, like raised beds.
What’s the best container size for tomatoes?
Determinate tomatoes need 10-15 gallon containers, while indeterminate varieties require at least 20 gallons. Cherry tomatoes can produce well in smaller containers. Larger containers provide better yields and require less frequent watering.
Can I reuse potting soil?
Yes, but refresh it first. Remove old roots, mix in fresh compost and perlite to restore structure and nutrients. Avoid reusing soil from diseased plants. Soil used for multiple seasons works better for ornamental plants than edibles.
How often should I water container plants?
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, which varies from daily in hot weather to every few days in cool conditions. Plant size, container size, and weather affect frequency. Deep, thorough watering works better than frequent light applications.
Growing Forward
Container gardening opens doors that traditional gardening can’t, bringing the joy of growing your own plants to anyone with a few square feet of space. Start small with easy plants, like lettuce or basil, in basic containers with quality potting soil. Focus on mastering the fundamentals before expanding to more challenging crops.
Every gardener learns through experience, and container gardening is particularly forgiving yet rewarding. Your garden will evolve as your skills grow, potentially developing from a few herb pots into a productive system that supplies your kitchen year-round.
Ready to get your hands dirty? Let us know what you’re growing in the comments below!
