Choosing containers
Bigger pots are easier. More soil means more root room and slower drying, which forgives a missed watering.
Terracotta breathes and dries faster; glazed and plastic pots hold moisture longer. Fabric grow bags suit larger crops.
Container gardening
A full garden, in pots
A balcony, patio or doorstep can grow far more than most people expect. Get the container, drainage and soil right and everything else follows.
The three fundamentals
Get these right first
Drainage
Every container needs holes in the base. Without them, roots sit in water and rot.
Raise pots slightly on feet or bricks so water can escape freely, and empty saucers after heavy rain.
Soil
Use a potting mix, not garden soil — garden soil compacts in pots and drains poorly.
Container plants rely on you for nutrients. Refresh the top layer each season and feed during active growth.
What to plant
Plants that do well in pots
Container vegetables
- Bush tomatoes in a 12–16 in (30–40 cm) pot with support
- Peppers, one per large pot in a warm, sheltered spot
- Salad leaves in wide, shallow troughs
- Radishes and bush beans for quick turnarounds
Container herbs
- Basil and parsley in a sunny, regularly watered pot
- Mint on its own, so it cannot spread
- Rosemary and thyme in gritty, free-draining mix
- A mixed kitchen pot by the door for easy picking
Container flowers
- Dwarf sunflowers for height in a heavy pot
- Marigolds and zinnias for long, bright flowering
- Lavender in terracotta with sharp drainage
- Trailing plants at the edge to soften the rim
Small spaces
Seven small-space gardening tips
- Group pots together — they shade each other's soil and dry out more slowly.
- Check moisture daily in warm weather; containers dry far faster than beds.
- Grow upward with trellises and wall planters when floor space is tight.
- Put the pots you fuss over most within easy reach of a faucet or hose.
- Use light pots or a plant caddy if you need to move things with the sun.
- Leave a gap below the rim so water soaks in instead of running off.
- Repot when roots circle the base — most container plants need more room after a season or two.
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