Almost any vegetable can be grown in a container if the container is big enough — but some are much better suited than others. This guide focuses on crops that genuinely thrive in containers, not just survive. All of them can be grown successfully on a patio, balcony or doorstep in the UK.
The basics of container growing
Two things matter above all else in container growing: pot size and watering. Most beginners use containers that are too small and underwater their plants. Containers dry out much faster than open ground — in hot weather a large pot may need watering daily.
Use the largest containers you can manage. Compost in containers loses nutrients faster than garden soil — use a good quality compost and feed regularly with a balanced fertiliser once plants are established.
The best crops for containers
Cherry tomatoes are the best choice for containers — varieties like Tumbling Tom, Gardener's Delight and Sweet Million are bred for pot growing and produce abundantly. Use a minimum 30cm/10L pot, support with a cane or grow in a hanging basket for trailing varieties. Feed with tomato fertiliser weekly once the first flowers appear.
The perfect container crop — fast, productive and you can harvest leaves continuously for months. A window box or a 30cm pot works well. Sow every three to four weeks for a continuous supply. Cut leaves when they're 10cm tall and they'll regrow several times.
Excellent container crops that love the warmth reflected off paving on a sunny patio. Chillies are particularly productive in containers and the plants are attractive — worth growing for the look as well as the harvest. Start indoors in February/March and move outside after the last frost.
Compact bush varieties (look for "dwarf" or "bush" on the packet) grow well in 30cm+ containers. They don't need support, produce well and the whole plant can be grown and harvested in a single season. Sow from May once the risk of frost has passed.
Courgettes can be grown in large containers (minimum 40cm/20L) and are surprisingly productive. One plant per container. They need regular watering — the large leaves lose moisture quickly — and a weekly feed. The yellow-fruited varieties like Gold Rush are particularly attractive.
The most practical container crop of all. A collection of herb pots near the kitchen door — basil, parsley, chives, mint (in its own pot — it spreads), rosemary and thyme — is incredibly useful and looks good. Most herbs prefer a sunny spot and well-drained compost. Don't overwater.
Grow bags and purpose-made potato planters make this one of the most satisfying container crops. Fill one third with compost, plant two or three seed potatoes, and earth up as the foliage grows. Harvest by tipping the container — no digging. Early varieties are best: Charlotte, Jersey Royal and Maris Peer all do well.
In warm weather, containers need watering daily — sometimes twice daily for hanging baskets and small pots. Push your finger 2cm into the compost: if it's dry, water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom. A water-retaining gel mixed into the compost at planting time helps significantly.
Container sizes at a glance
Window box (20–25cm deep): Salad leaves, herbs, radishes, spring onions.
Medium pot (25–35cm): Cherry tomatoes, chillies, dwarf beans, spinach.
Large pot (35cm+): Standard tomatoes, courgettes, aubergines, climbing beans with support.
Grow bags / deep containers: Potatoes, courgettes, cucumbers.
Plan your container garden
The GrowGuide What to Plant tool shows you what to sow each month — including container-friendly varieties.
What to Plant This Month →