Want to grow your own veggies but don’t have a big garden? These 16 surprising vegetables can thrive in containers, and I’m here to show you how easy it can be!
I’ve tried many of these myself, and they’re perfect for small spaces or anyone looking to grow food on a patio or balcony. From leafy greens to root veggies, you’ll be amazed at how much you can grow in a little pot.
Ready to make the most of your space? Let’s get planting!
1. Cherry Tomatoes
Nothing beats the sweet pop of homegrown cherry tomatoes right off the vine. Pick a deep 5-gallon container and a sunny spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct light daily.
Plant your seedling deep (bury part of the stem) and add a stake or cage early on. Water consistently but don’t overdo it – tomatoes hate wet feet! Harvest regularly to encourage more fruiting throughout summer.
2. Bush Cucumbers
Forget those sprawling garden varieties! Compact bush cucumbers were made for container life. Choose a wide pot at least 12 inches deep with excellent drainage holes.
Plant in nutrient-rich potting mix and water thoroughly when the top inch feels dry. The crisp crunch of fresh-picked cukes will spoil you forever! Try varieties like Spacemaster or Patio Snacker for best container results.
3. Baby Carrots
Watching those feathery carrot tops emerge from soil might be the most satisfying part of container gardening. Use a pot that’s at least 12 inches deep – the deeper, the better for these root veggies.
Fill with loose, stone-free potting mix and sow seeds directly. Keep consistently moist and thin seedlings to one inch apart. Round or stubby varieties like Paris Market or Thumbelina are particularly well-suited for container life.
4. Japanese Eggplant
Long, slender Japanese eggplants are surprisingly prolific in containers. Their compact growing habit makes them ideal for small spaces where traditional globe eggplants might struggle.
Choose a 5-gallon container minimum and place in your sunniest spot. The glossy purple fruits will keep coming all season with regular harvesting. Unlike their larger cousins, these tender eggplants rarely develop bitterness and cook in half the time!
5. Dwarf Bok Choy
Ready for harvest in just 30 days, dwarf bok choy delivers incredible bang for your buck in containers. The compact rosettes need just 6 inches of space each in a shallow container at least 6 inches deep.
Plant in early spring or fall as this Asian green prefers cooler temperatures. Regular harvesting of outer leaves allows for continuous production. Keep soil consistently moist and provide afternoon shade in warmer climates for best results.
6. Bush Beans
Forget about complicated trellises! Bush beans grow in tidy, self-supporting mounds perfect for container life. A wide pot about 8 inches deep works perfectly for these productive plants.
Direct sow seeds after all frost danger passes and watch them explode with growth. The secret to continuous harvests? Plant a new container every 2-3 weeks through summer. Kids especially love picking these easy-growers – instant gardening gratification!
7. Fingerling Potatoes
Growing potatoes in containers eliminates all that back-breaking digging come harvest time. Start with a deep container (at least 15 inches) or a specialized potato grow bag with access flaps.
Plant seed potatoes and cover with 4 inches of soil, adding more as plants grow taller. When foliage yellows, simply dump the container or reach through side flaps to harvest. The nutty, buttery flavor of fresh fingerlings will spoil you for store-bought forever!
8. Leafy Kale
Super nutritious and surprisingly ornamental, kale thrives in containers year-round in many climates. Choose a pot at least 12 inches in diameter and 8 inches deep for each plant.
Harvest outer leaves regularly while leaving the center crown intact for continuous production. Cold weather actually improves kale’s flavor by converting starches to sugars! Try dinosaur (lacinato) kale for container growing – its upright growth habit maximizes space.
9. Radishes
From seed to harvest in just 21 days, radishes deliver near-instant container gardening gratification. Their shallow roots need only 6 inches of soil depth, making them perfect for repurposed containers.
Sow seeds directly about half an inch deep and one inch apart. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. For continuous harvests, plant a new container every week throughout spring. French Breakfast and Cherry Belle varieties excel in containers.
10. Scallions
Talk about bang for your buck – scallions practically grow themselves in containers! A shallow pot just 6 inches deep works perfectly for these kitchen staples.
Plant seeds or even regrow grocery store scallions by placing the white root ends in soil. Harvest outer stalks while leaving centers intact for perpetual growth. For maximum production, space plants just an inch apart – their vertical growth habit means you can grow dozens in a small pot!
11. Butter Lettuce
Velvety butter lettuce commands premium prices at grocery stores but grows effortlessly in containers. A wide, shallow pot just 6 inches deep provides plenty of space for these shallow-rooted greens.
Plant seeds or seedlings and harvest outer leaves individually as needed. Position in morning sun but afternoon shade in warmer months. The secret to sweet, non-bitter lettuce? Consistent moisture and harvesting before summer heat triggers bolting.
12. Banana Peppers
Mildly tangy banana peppers produce prolifically in containers with minimal fuss. A 3-gallon pot easily supports a single plant that can yield dozens of yellow peppers throughout the season.
Place in full sun and water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Regular harvesting encourages more fruit production! Unlike their spicier cousins, these sweet-tangy peppers are perfect for kids and heat-sensitive folks who still want homegrown pepper flavor.
13. Snap Peas
Crunchy, sweet snap peas grow surprisingly well in containers with just a simple trellis for support. Choose a pot at least 8 inches deep and provide a vertical structure for these eager climbers.
Plant in early spring as they prefer cool weather. The tender shoots (pea tips) are also edible and delicious in stir-fries! Look for compact varieties like Sugar Ann or Patio Pride specifically bred for container growing.
14. Swiss Chard
With its jewel-toned stems and crinkled emerald leaves, Swiss chard doubles as an ornamental edible in containers. A 10-inch pot accommodates a single plant that produces for months with proper care.
Harvest outer leaves regularly while leaving the central growth point intact. Rainbow varieties add spectacular color to patios while providing nutritious greens for months! Heat-tolerant and cold-resistant, chard keeps producing through temperature swings that challenge other greens.
15. Baby Turnips
Tender baby turnips harvested young deliver sweet flavor that might surprise you. A container 8 inches deep works perfectly for these quick-growing root vegetables.
Direct sow seeds and thin to 2 inches apart once seedlings emerge. Harvest when roots reach golf ball size for sweetest flavor. The leafy tops are bonus greens packed with nutrients! Tokyo Cross and Hakurei varieties excel in containers with their compact growth.
16. Lemon Cucumbers
Round, tennis ball-sized lemon cucumbers offer container gardeners huge yields from compact vines. Their bushy rather than sprawling habit makes them ideal for small spaces.
Provide a 5-gallon container minimum and a small trellis to maximize growing space. Harvest when fruits reach tennis ball size and turn pale yellow – waiting too long results in bitter flavor. Their thin skin needs no peeling, and the sweet, mild flavor lacks the bitterness of conventional cucumbers.