25 Most Productive Vegetables for Containers | Best Vegetables for Pots

Sheri Dorn is a versatile homesteader and culinary artist with a strong focus on organic and heirloom gardening. Holding a Master's degree in Culinary Arts, she combines her love for cooking and gardening in a unique way. Sheri is an active contributor to online gardening communities and enjoys quality outdoor time with her family and pets.
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Here are the Most Productive Vegetables to Grow in Pots to have a bountiful harvest for your family while saving trips to the grocery store!

Don’t let a lack of a proper garden stop you from harvesting fresh veggies at home! Here are the most productive Vegetables to Grow in Pots in a small space like an apartment balcony or a patio!

Check out the best nuts to grow in pots here


Best Vegetables to Grow in Pots

1. Tomatoes

Vegetables to Grow in Pots

Without a doubt, tomatoes are the most productive vegetables you can grow in pots. Tomatoes need ample sun (five to six hours minimum).  In containers, growing dwarf varieties of determinate type are better.

Get the best tomato growing tips in containers here

2. Beans

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Most of the beans are climbers or bushier types, and they grow upward. You can grow them on a trellis near a wall, and within weeks, you will get a green wall of beans running across the trellis.

Learn how to grow Mung Beans in pots here

3. Lettuce

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For growing lettuce, choose a wide planter rather than a deep one. Use well-draining soil and follow shallow and frequent watering.

Learn about growing lettuce in containers here

4. Peppers and Chillies

Growing vegetables in containers? Learn about the best and most Productive Vegetables to Grow in Pots to have the bountiful harvest this growing season.

Peppers and chilies are super productive and excellent candidates for growing in containers. They look great in pots and need a sunny and warm place to thrive.

Check out how to grow bell peppers in pots here

5. Radishes

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Radishes are one of the quickest growing vegetables and suitable for container gardening as you can also grow them in small and wide pots. If you want to grow larger varieties, use an 8-10 inches deep pot.

Check out the best radish varieties here

6. Asian Greens

Growing vegetables in containers? Learn about the best and most Productive Vegetables to Grow in Pots to have the bountiful harvest this growing season.

Asian greens are great crops to grow in pots as they grow fast and don’t need a lot of sunlight. You can grow them in partial shade, in a spot that receives at least 4 hours of the morning sun.

7. Spinach

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Spinach is one of the best vegetables for containers. It grows well in partial shade. Growing spinach in containers is easy too. You can even grow it indoors on a windowsill.

Check out the best spinach types here

8. Peas

peas in pot

Peas are a perfect crop for container gardening and don’t require a large pot. Choose a dwarf or bushier variety, water regularly, and grow in a spot that receives full sun.

Learn a brilliant garlic growing hack here

9. Carrots

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Carrots grow best in cool weather. They need regular watering and moist soil. Growing this plant in containers is easy, and it doesn’t take much space.

Learn more about growing carrots in containers here

10. Cucumber

cucumber in pot

Cucumbers are heavy feeders and require regular watering too. Grow them in a medium to large-sized pot (depending on the variety) and in full sun.

Learn how to grow cucumbers vertically here

11. Eggplant

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Although eggplants are susceptible to many garden pests, growing them is easy. You must keep the pots in full sun and fertilize once in 2-3 weeks.

Learn about growing eggplant in pots here

12. Squash

zucchini in container

Squashes are easy to grow plants. You can harvest bountiful even in containers. Summer squashes (Zucchini) are more productive than winter squashes.

13. Kale

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Kale is a cool-weather crop, but it can still tolerate some summer heat. It should be planted in full sun in colder regions and partial sun in warmer areas.

Here’s everything you need to know about growing kale in pots

14. Chard

Chard in pot

Chard tolerates heat better than kale, and it is more suitable for you if you live in a warm climate. Make sure it gets 3-5 hours of sun daily.

15. Mustard Greens

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You can pick big leaves of mustard greens to prepare leafy green recipes and curries. It grows pretty well in small spots that get plenty of sunlight.

16. Garlic

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For growing garlic in containers, choose a pot at least 6-8 inches deep and as wide as possible. You’ll need to leave 5-6 inches of space between each clove you plant.

Learn a brilliant garlic growing hack here

17. Rhubarb

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Rhubarb is grown for its red, pink, or green edible stalks. Growing it is straightforward, and you can harvest the stalks multiple times.

Find out the best rhubarb growing tips here

18. Bitter Melon

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This exotic and healthy edible is probably one of the best vegetables to grow in pots. Growing it is similar to squashes, cucumbers, and melons.

Learn about growing bitter melon in pots here

19. Okra

Okra in pot

Okra is easy to grow and doesn’t require extraordinary gardening skills. Providing it warmth, good exposure to the sun, and plenty of fertilizer set the plant to fruit heavily.

Learn how to grow okra in pots here

20. Collard Greens

Collard Green plant in pot

Collard greens can be an excellent alternative to other green leafy crops. You can grow this biennial as an annual in containers easily.

Check out the best leafy vegetables to grow in containers here

21. Onions

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Onions, particularly green onions, are the best choice for containers. Make sure you water it right and choose a spot that gets plenty of sunlight.

Learn how to grow green onion in pots here

22. Potatoes

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Potatoes in containers are a great idea for small areas. You can easily cultivate them in grow bags or wine barrels on your sunny patio or balcony.

Grow potatoes from store-bought potatoes with this hack

23. Beets

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Beets grow fast in containers with less care. As long as you take care of its watering and sunlight needs, it will be more than happy to produce plentiful for the entire family.

Find out everything about growing beet in containers here

24. Turnips

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This nutritious, cool-season root vegetable is loved for leafy greens and crunchy roots. Use at least 8 inches deep pot as it does not grow more than 3-4 inches in diameter.

Check out how to grow turnips in pots here

25. Broccoli

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Broccoli grows best in a cool climate, and you can enjoy its plentiful harvest all year. Choose fast-growing varieties that get ready for harvest in no time.

Learn about growing broccoli in pots here

 


Watch this video for more information

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29 COMMENTS

      • Hi I believe the author has a link to using diluted urine, which has nitrate, potassium and phosphate just dilute between 1 part urine to 10 parts water or for small plants 1 part to 20 parts water. Instant free plant food!

    • I like larger tomatoes, which ones will grow in a pot? I have tried barrel pots, and nothing grew. This year planted in ground, plants are tall as heck but still NO tomatoes.

      SO FRUSTRATING!! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

      • Tomatoes need lots of water, sunlight, pollination, proper spacing and not too much heat or humidity. Fertilize all vegetables as they just begin to bloom, as making fruit or veggies creates quite an effort by the plant. Also remove branches that contain zero blooms, so as not to take energy from those that are producing.

  1. Be cautious with Chinese lanterns! Pretty to look at, but very invasive!! I’ve been trying to kill them off for years!

  2. What a great article. My husband and I have a large spot for a garden on our new property but honestly I am a bit intimidated with such a large space and so little experience. Container gardening may be just the stepping stone i need this year. Thanks for sharing!

  3. I let my containers grow weeds last year due to surgery, but hopefully I can get back to it this year. This has inspired me, Thanks.

  4. I am not sure how to grow them in pots as show in the photos. But I want to know how to get the seed to plant them. where to purchase them . I love gardening now I can communicate on line through the computer

    • You have to consider what types of plants you can grow in your area. Some of the above are for colder regions so you have to research first. As for where to find the seeds, you can do it online or ask the local vegetable vendors to know where you can get them in your area.

    • You can buy seeds online, which would be delivered to your door stem there are many websites which provide such service.Search on google.

  5. I use Miracle Grow in my watering can for container vegies. Works really well, make it a little weaker than the directions as you will be using it regularly. Try in also on African Violets…..they love it.

  6. useful info. Could you please share some information regarding the time taken for either seeds/plants to the first fruit ?

  7. Native to Indonesia, it can easily be grown as a houseplant in a sunny window, and also makes an excellent patio plant. It will thrive outside in the summer, but is best sheltered indoors for the winter months.

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