16 Best Vegetables for Small-Space Gardens: Grow Your Own Food in Containers

Ready to start growing vegetables at home?

Container gardening is a fantastic way to grow fresh vegetables and it’s perfect for people with limited space. With the right plants and supplies, you can cultivate a productive vegetable garden in a patio, balcony, or small yard.

I grow vegetables and herbs in our small side patio and balcony, utilizing vertical garden walls, grow bags, raised beds, and pots. My toddler loves helping me care for the garden and my husband and I enjoy having fresh produce at our fingertips. It’s one of our favorite things about our home!

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Why Grow Vegetables in Containers?

Growing vegetables in containers offers numerous benefits and is an excellent option for beginners. Some key advantages include:

• Space Efficiency: It is perfect for small patios, balconies, and urban gardens.
• Pest Control: Containers help keep common garden pests and weeds at bay.
• Flexibility: Move plants to maximize sunlight exposure or protect them from harsh weather.
• Better Soil Quality: You have control over soil conditions.
• Extended Growing Seasons: Start plants indoors before transferring them outside when the weather is warmer.
• More comfortable: Container gardening is gentler on your back and knees than growing plants directly in the ground.
• Beautiful: Containers can be lovely in the garden! Scatter them throughout your space or bundle them together to create a beautiful display in the garden.

If you think growing vegetables might be too challenging, I’m here to tell you it’s not something you can’t handle! We all start from somewhere and if we’re receptive, we get better with each passing season.

Every seed planted is a lesson waiting to be learned. Plants teach us valuable lessons about patience and working together with nature.

If you’re ready to try container gardening, all you’ll need is a container with a drainage hole, good-quality soil and seeds, some gardening gloves and a hand trowel for digging, and, of course, a little patience.

Let’s review the list of vegetables below, their unique characteristics, and why they thrive when grown in containers.

Off we go!

16 Best Vegetables for Container Gardening

1. Garlic

Yes, garlic is a vegetable and grows amazingly well in containers.

Choose a wide or rectangular container (or raised garden bed), because you’ll need to space out the garlic bulbs about 5 inches apart when you plant them.

There’s nothing like having fresh, organic garlic to cook with, so plan ahead and plant garlic in the fall for a spring and summer harvest. You can also plant it in early spring.

Why Grow It? Garlic is an easy, space-efficient crop that thrives in containers.

Growing Tips:

• Use a deep pot (at least 8 inches) with good drainage.
• Plant individual cloves pointy side up, 3-4 inches apart.
• Keep soil moist but not waterlogged, and place in full sun.
• Harvest when leaves turn yellow and start to dry.

🔗 Best Garlic Bulbs for Pots
🔗 Nutrient-Rich Soil for Garlic

2. Tomatoes

Who doesn’t love fresh tomatoes?!

Tomatoes are among the easiest vegetables to grow, which makes them a very good starting point for beginners ( ok, yes, tomatoes are technically a fruit, but we all think of them as vegetables, so that’s why they’re on this list!).

Why Grow It? Homegrown tomatoes taste better and are easy to grow in pots!

Growing Tips:

• Use at least a 5-gallon container with drainage holes.
• Provide support with cages or stakes as they grow.
• Place in full sun (6-8 hours daily) and water deeply.

🔗 Best Tomato Seeds for Containers
🔗 Tomato Cages & Supports
🔗 Highly-Rated Grow Bags for Tomatoes

3. Cucumbers

Fresh cucumbers (also considered fruits) are versatile and used in all types of dishes, including yogurt sauce, pasta salads, mocktails and cocktails, and fresh green salads.
Use a large container and prepare to give your cucumber seeds plenty of water to help them establish.

Cucumbers are one of the easiest vegetables to grow in containers, so once you start growing, you’ll reap a good harvest all season long!  You’ll want to use a trellis once the plant begins to grow because this plant grows upward really well.

There are a lot of varieties to choose from, and you’ll probably try a new one every year.

Why Grow It? Compact cucumber varieties produce high yields in pots.

Growing Tips:

• Use a 12-inch deep container with a trellis.
• Keep soil moist but not soggy.
• Provide plenty of sunlight (6+ hours daily).

🔗 Cucumber Seeds for Small Spaces
🔗 Trellis for Container Cucumbers

4. Carrots

Carrots grow quickly in containers but do best when grown in shaded areas. 

Provide your carrots with enough moisture to help keep the roots cool and moist as they grow. There’s nothing like the taste of a homegrown, organic carrot. Try different varieties to see which is your favorite!

Why Grow It? Fresh, crunchy carrots taste amazing and require little maintenance.

Growing Tips:

• Choose shorter carrot varieties for shallow pots.
• Use a deep container (12 inches) with loose, sandy soil.
• Keep soil evenly moist for proper root development.

🔗 Best Carrot Seeds for Containers
🔗 Deep Grow Bags for Root Vegetables
🔗 Pretty Garden Harvest Basket

5. Squash & Zuchini

Zucchini is another easy vegetable to grow, and it’s very productive when grown in containers. Start with quality zucchini seeds and you’ll wonder why it took you so long to grow your own squash! Just watch out for those squash bugs!

Why Grow It? Compact bush varieties of squash and zucchini are highly productive in containers.

Growing Tips:

• Use a 5-gallon container or larger for ample root space.
• Ensure full sun (6-8 hours daily) for best results.
• Water consistently and provide support for vines and large leaves.
• Grow separately; they quickly take over small spaces
• Harvest zucchini when they are 6-8 inches long for the best flavor and texture; don’t let them grow too large, they’re nearly impossible to cut and eat.

🔗 Best Summer Squash Seeds for Containers
🔗 Large Containers for Growing Squash

6. Kale

Kale is my favorite leafy green to grown because not only is it delicious and vertsiale but I find it very non-fussy and easy to grow.

It’s one of the healthiest leafy vegetables you can grow – perhaps the most nutritious!

Kale is a cold-weather crop and doesn’t do well during the summer season, so be sure to plant some spinach if you crave leafy vegetables during the summer months. 

Why Grow It? Quick-growing and space-saving, leafy greens like kale, lettuce, spinach, and kale are perfect for containers.

Growing Tips:

• Use a shallow, wide container at least 6 inches deep.
• Plant seeds every few weeks for continuous harvests.
• Keep soil consistently moist and provide partial sunlight.

🔗 Best Kale Seeds for Containers
🔗 Self-Watering Planters for Leafy Greens
🔗 Top-Rated Organic Potting Soil for Greens

7. Spinach

Spinach is an easy vegetable to grow. Choose a wide container that is at least 6 inches deep.

Spinach thrives in partial shade, so after you plant your spinach seeds, make sure your container doesn’t get direct sunlight for too many hours of the day.

Some of these seed varieties can grow all year long, so take a look and see if any appeal to you and your growing zone.

(Head to my How to Grow Spinach post for an in-depth growing guide!)

8. Radishes

Radishes grow relatively quickly and bountifully, which makes them fun to grow. Space your radish seeds 3 inches apart, and use a larger container if you want lots of radishes.

They’re incredibly healthy and are perfect for adding crunch to entrees and salads!

Always opt for quailty radish seeds. Radishes come in different colors, too, other than the standard red, so you might try something different this year!

Why Grow It? Radishes are one of the fastest-growing container vegetables. Use them to add flavor, color, and crunch to salads!

Growing Tips:

• Plant in a shallow pot (6 inches deep).
• Harvest within 3-4 weeks for the best flavor.
• Keep in cooler temperatures for optimal growth.

🔗 Radish Seed Varieties for Small Gardens
🔗 Raised Garden Beds for Radishes

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9. Peas

Peas are packed with protein and they’re also fun to eat right off the vine – they’re the perfect snack.

Plant this cool-weather crop about 5 inches apart in the fall or early spring for best results.

10. Peppers

Peppers and chiles can be very productive in containers – they’re a must-have if you like to make your own salsas.

Pepper plants need plenty of sunshine and a container at least 12 inches deep.

Spend a little time picking the right pepper variety for your culinary needs!

Why Grow It? Peppers thrive in containers and are great for small-space gardening. They add a ton of flavor to food but don’t take up much space!

Growing Tips:

• Use a 12-inch deep pot for best results.
• Place in a sunny spot and keep soil slightly moist.
• Fertilize every few weeks to encourage fruiting.

🔗 Best Pepper Seeds for Containers
🔗 Self-Watering Grow Bags for Pepper Plants

11. Beans

You can grow different types of beans in a container; just be prepared for them to grow upward!

Use a container that is at least 12 inches deep, and stabilize it in your yard or balcony with a trellis, wooden stick, or pole.

Some beans, such as the Lima Been (Thorogreen), however, don’t require a trellis. Plant beans in early spring and ensure they get a few hours of full sun each day. 

Why Grow It? Bush beans and pole beans thrive in containers. Bush beans are commonly referred to as the easiest and most productive vegetable to grow. Make some space in your garden for bush beans!

Growing Tips:

• Use a deep, wide pot for root development.
• Provide trellis support for climbing varieties
• Water regularly, but avoid waterlogged soil.

🔗 Best Bean Seeds for Patio Gardens
🔗 Top-rated Soil Moisture Meter

12. Lettuce

Lettuce is one of the most versatile and underrated vegetables, and there are quite a few lettuce seeds to choose from!

If you’re cutting back on carbs, use lettuce in salads, tacos, burgers, wraps, and in place of tortillas or bread.

There’s nothing quite like homegrown lettuce, so try planting some in a spacious container with good soil and direct sunlight.

There are many wonderful lettuce varieties to choose from, too.   

Why Grow It? Quick-growing and space-saving, leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, and kale are perfect for containers. They are rich in vitamins, easy to harvest, and can be cut multiple times for continued growth.

Growing Tips:

• Use a shallow, wide container at least 6 inches deep.
• Plant seeds every few weeks for continuous harvests.
• Keep soil consistently moist, and provide partial sunlight.
• Harvest leaves individually to allow regrowth.

🔗 Best Lettuce Seeds for Containers

13. Beets

Since going vegan, I’ve grown to appreciate beets – they’re great to add to salads and homemade juice.

They do very well in containers and are an excellent option if you live in an apartment and have a balcony that gets direct sunlight during the day. Start beet seeds in early spring.

Why Grow It? A nutrient-rich root vegetable that thrives in pots. Beets grow quickly, and both the roots and the leafy greens are edible.

Growing Tips:

• Use a deep container (at least 12 inches).
• Keep soil moist and well-draining.
• Harvest when roots are about 2 inches in diameter.
• Thin seedlings early to allow beets to develop fully.

🔗 Top Beet Seed Varieties for Containers

14. Potatoes

Yes, you can actually grow potatoes in containers -hooray!  If you provide the right environment for this starchy vegetable, each container will produce several pounds of potatoes. 

You’ll need a large bucket or container (5-gallon buckets) and well-draining soil. Experiment with different potato varieties! 

Why Grow It? Potatoes are high-yield and easy to grow in deep containers. They store well and can be grown in succession for continuous harvesting.

Growing Tips:

• Use a deep container (at least 15 inches) with loose soil.
• Start with seed potatoes, planting them 4 inches deep.
• As they grow, add more soil to encourage more tubers.
• Harvest once foliage begins to yellow and die back.

🔗 Best Potato Varieties for Containers

15. Cauliflower

Few things are tastier than cauliflower steaks. Try them – they’re delicious!

Thankfully, cauliflower is an easy vegetable to grow in containers, just make sure you get a container that is at least 8 inches deep, and 18 inches wide so that the plant has plenty of space to grow.

Why Grow Them? Nutrient-packed cauliflower adds bulk to your meals! Roast, steam, or toss into a salad!

Growing Tips:

• Use a 5-gallon container per plant.
• Keep in full sun and cool temperatures.
• Support heads with leaves for better development.

🔗 Best Cauliflower Seeds for Containers

16. Broccoli

Like cauliflower, broccoli is an easy vegetable to grow, even for beginners. Use a container at least 8 inches deep and 18 inches wide.

To get a head start on the growing season, start broccoli seeds indoors a few weeks before your last frost date. 

There you have it…. A list of 16 vegetables that can be grown in containers!

Don’t be intimidated by the thought of growing your own produce – just make sure you’re armed with the right tools, soil, and know-how!

If you’re interested in growing your own herbs (highly recommended), this list of the easiest culinary herbs to grow and this post about how to grow cilantro will help you out!