There is a wide variety of vegetables to grow in pots which promise a bountiful harvest. From small radishes to long cucumbers, and even potatoes in the soil or tall beans climbing poles, there are numerous options available for those interested in cultivating edible plants in a narrow space.
In case you’re interested in cultivating vegetables in containers, here’s a list of 20 veggies that flourish in pots on a porch, patio, or balcony, as long as they are provided with enough sunlight and ample space to grow and thrive.
#1. Asparagus
Asparagus is the gift that keeps on giving. While it takes patience to establish, once it’s settled in, it’ll provide you with delicious spears year after year. Find a deep container, plant asparagus crowns, and ensure they get full sun. In a couple of years, you’ll be harvesting fresh asparagus.
#2. Beets
Beets are like little ruby treasures in your container garden. Choose a pot, ensure they get enough sunlight, and keep the soil consistently moist. These colorful, sweet roots are perfect for salads, roasts, and pickling.
#3. Broccoli
Broccoli likes cool weather, so it’s perfect for spring and fall planting. The key to keeping it thrive in a container is a sizeable pot, full sun, and consistently moist soil. In a few months, you’ll harvest those green crowns for steaming, roasting, or just dunking in cheese sauce. Just cut the main head with a sharp knife, leaving some leaves and stems on the plant.
#4. Carrots
Carrots are one of the most popular vegetables to grow in pots. In a deep container, plant carrot seeds, provide plenty of sunlight and thin them out as they grow to prevent overcrowding. These root veggies are a hit in soups, stews, and as crunchy snacks. Check step-by-step guide to grow carrots in pots here.
#5. Cauliflower
Cauliflower is the veggie that makes any dish a little fancier. In a roomy container, give it plenty of sunlight, and keep the soil consistently moist. Cauliflower needs some space to spread its wings. When the time comes, it will offer beautiful, snowy-white heads for roasting, mashing, or turning into cauliflower rice.
#6. Cucumbers
Cucumbers bring a crisp, cool crunch to your salads and sandwiches. You can grow them in containers too. They are climbers, so you should pick a sizeable container and provide a trellis or stake for support. Plus, water the soil regularly, keeping it moist but not drenched. Cucumbers should be picked  when they are firm and green, before they start to yellow or become bitter.
#7. Eggplants
Eggplants bring a deep, rich flavor to your dishes, and they thrive in containers. Your eggplant container should be placed in a well-lit area, which is far away from direct sunlight to avoid overheating. When harvesting, you should leave some stems on the fruit to encourage production.
#8. Green Beans
Green beans are climbing their way into your container garden and they are also one of easiest vegetables to grow in pots. Use a trellis or stakes for support, choose a large pot, and keep them sun-kissed. That’s all you should remember to have a bountiful harvest of these crisp delights.
#9. Herbs
Is there anything better than a caprese salad with basil from your own garden? Basil, mint, parsley, they’re all fantastic for containers. Choose pots with good drainage and place them where they get the right amount of sunlight for each herb. Now, just wait and you’ll have fresh, aromatic herbs to elevate your cooking.
#10. Kale
Kale is like the superhero of the vegetable world. It’s incredibly nutritious and thrives in containers. Choose a container that is at least 12 inches wide and deep, with drainage holes at the bottom, then you should plant seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep, or transplants so that the plant is even with the top layer of soil.
#11. Lettuce
If you like harvesting your salad right from a pot, lettuce is your go-to for this. Pick a container with good drainage and ensure they get enough sunlight, but not scorching heat. Just remember, lettuce likes to stay cool, and you will be rewarded with fresh, crispy greens whenever you fancy a salad.
#12. Onions
Onions are the flavor base for countless dishes. In a sizeable pot, plant onion sets and ensure they get plenty of sunlight. Plus, to enjoy fresh and flavorful bulbs in a small space, provide your onions with a loose and fertile soil that is rich in organic matter.
#13. Peppers
Who can resist the allure of peppers? Bell peppers, chili peppers, they’re all perfect choices for container gardens. Find a roomy pot, preferably five gallons, plant your peppers, and keep them basking in the sun. These plants are like little sunshine factories.
#14. Potatoes
Potatoes are the tubers you can grow in a tub, or any container for that matter. The first step is to pick a large pot or even a bag, provide plenty of sunlight, and keep the soil consistently moist. As the plants grow, you should add more soil to the container. In the end, you’ll have your own supply of potatoes for mashing, roasting, or making french fries.
#15. Radish
If patience isn’t your strong suit, radishes are your solution. These little guys grow fast. Just sow the seeds directly in the pot, place the pot in a sunny and cool spot, water and fertilize regularly. Radishes will reward your impatience with spicy, crunchy roots.
#16. Spinach
Spinach is a nutritious powerhouse, and you can grow it in a container too. This leafy green is easy-going, making it a perfect companion for gardeners at all levels. It likes cool weather and moist soil and can be harvested in as little as one month after planting.
#17. Strawberries
Strawberries are the sweetest delight you can grow in a container. Opt for a hanging basket or a pot with a hanging option, make sure they get full sun. In no time, you’ll be picking fresh strawberries for your morning cereal or desserts.
#18. Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is the vibrant, leafy green that’s perfect for containers. These greens come in a rainbow of colors and are ideal for stir-fries, quiches, or simply sautéed with garlic and olive oil. Gardeners should start planting them about 3 to 4 weeks before the last frost date, and water regularly and evenly, about 1 to 2 inches per week.
#19. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are the champions of container gardening. With countless varieties suited for pots, these vines deliver that juicy, homegrown flavor. All you need to do to have a garden-fresh tomato in a salad is to get a big pot, stake your plant, and ensure it gets plenty of sunlight.
#20. Zucchini
Zucchini plants have the potential of continuously producing and producing. Choose a large pot with good drainage, give them plenty of sun, and they’ll thrive. Additionally, keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy.
There is a bounty of vegetables to grow in pots. They also prove that you don’t need a massive garden to enjoy fresh, homegrown produce. These container-friendly veggies are here to make your garden, no matter how small, a place of delicious possibilities. So are you ready for a vegetable feast? Let us know in the comment section and share with us your gardening experience.
