Learn about 9 Summer Vegetables to Grow in Pots. All of these are warm-weather crops and grow productively in containers.
These vegetables grow best in warm weather and when the sun is intense. You must give them a place in your summer vegetable garden. If you don’t own a garden and space is limited, grow them in pots in your apartment balcony or patio.
1. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are must grow in summers. Provide them full sun, regular fertilizer, and water, and they’ll grow. Learn more about growing tomatoes in pots here.
Also Read: How to Grow Tomatoes in Limited Space
2. Cucumber
You can grow cucumbers in medium to large pots or grow bags. The size of the pot depends on the type, but usually, a 14-18 inches deep pot is good enough. Both bush cucumbers and vining cucumbers are growable in containers. Learn how to grow them here.
3. Eggplant
Eggplant, also known as aubergine and brinjal, is one of the best summer vegetables to grow in pots. If the weather is warm, it’s effortless to grow. Learn how to grow it here.
4. Okra
Do you know the other fun name of okra? “Lady Finger!” Grow okra in medium-sized pots and enjoy it fresh in many African, Middle Eastern, Indian, and Southern US recipes. Learn how to grow it here.
5. Peppers and Chilies
Bell peppers and chilies love the heat of summer and exposure to all-day-long direct sunlight. However, if you’re growing them in a hot climate, provide shade from the afternoon sun. Everything about growing bell pepper is here.
Also Read: How to Grow Hot Pepper
6. Beans
Both the bush beans and pole beans grow well in pots. Bush beans are short and, according to the name “bushier,” whereas pole beans are tall and need support. You can go with pole beans as they are productive and utilize the vertical space efficiently. To grow, get a standard 10-14 inches deep pot and maintain the spacing of 3-4 inches between each plant.
7. Zucchini
Zucchini is a warm-weather crop, and summer is the best time to grow it. Plant it in a large 12-14 inches deep pot and place this vegetable plant in full sun. Also, fertilize it from time to time. It’s really productive in containers.
Also Read: Most Productive Container Vegetables
8. Pumpkin
You can grow meaty pumpkins as spring and summer is the best time to plant them. If you don’t have a garden, growing them in pots is also possible, for this, you’ll need a large 16-18 inches deep container for short varieties. To learn more, read our informative pumpkin growing guide here.
9. Gourds and Melons
Grow melons that are vegetables such as bitter melon and winter melon; both are very nutritious. Also, give a try to gourds, they’re often overlooked and used only for decorative purposes, but they’re edible and used popularly in Indian and South Asian cuisines. You can grow bottle gourds, ridge gourds, ash gourds, and sponge gourds in large pots with support.
I am going to try going some veggies in pots as I live in an apt. With a patio.
I live in an apartment as well. I have two small pots of herbs (mint and Basil) one green bean and one San Marzano tomato. All are thriving. I had sweet peas but I used some old soil and it died of a fungus. Going to plant a different variety of green bean. It’s July in Missouri and I expect to have green beans thru October.
Thanks for compiling this list! Great to have variety!
We are entering winter in south Africa… I would like a similar list to grow in containers for winter. Thank you in advance.
Just three or four plants can supply a family of four with a nice weekly harvest. The main thing to remember is that your pot requires at least a 12-inch diameter, and it s best to use a well-draining potting mix.