25 Best Edible Plants To Grow In Containers And Pots
Edible plants to grow in containers are the perfect solution when you don t have space for a big garden but still want fresh food at home.
With just a few pots on your balcony, kitchen windowsill, or patio, you can enjoy herbs, vegetables, and even fruits grown right where you live.
These plants don t demand much, yet they reward you with tasty harvests and a touch of greenery that brightens your day. Container gardening also gives you control over soil, water, and pests, making it easier to succeed even in small spaces.
Below are 25 great edible plants you can start growing today for healthier meals and a more vibrant living space.
#1. Basil
Source: penguinsonthepromenade
Basil is a kitchen favorite that thrives in a sunny container. Keep it on a windowsill where it gets at least 6 hours of light daily. Pinch off the tips regularly to encourage bushy growth and prevent early flowering.
Water lightly but consistently, as it prefers slightly moist soil. Fresh basil leaves make sauces, salads, and drinks taste brighter. Once you grow your own, you ll never want store-bought again.
#2. Beets
Source: Little Yellow WheelBarrow
Beets grow well in deep pots where their roots can develop freely. Choose a container at least 12 inches deep for the best results. They need regular watering and a nutrient-rich potting mix to thrive.
The leaves are edible too, so you get two harvests from one plant. Harvest roots when they re about golf-ball size for tenderness. Beets add both beauty and nutrition to your balcony garden.
#3. Blueberries
Source: Espoma
Blueberries are a wonderful container fruit that brings beauty and sweetness. They need acidic soil, so use a mix designed for azaleas or rhododendrons. Place them in full sun for maximum fruiting.
Water often, as blueberries dislike dry soil. Prune in winter to maintain shape and encourage new growth. A potted blueberry bush is a long-term investment that rewards you year after year.
#4. Kale
Source: All- America Selections
Kale is hardy and surprisingly easy to raise in pots. Choose a wide container and give it at least 6 hours of sun. Water regularly and feed with compost tea for lush leaves.
You can harvest outer leaves while allowing the center to keep producing. It does well in both warm and cooler weather. Having a pot of kale nearby ensures fresh greens for soups and smoothies.
#5. Carrots
Source: MyDomaine
Carrots are perfect for deep pots filled with loose, sandy soil. Avoid compacted soil so roots can grow straight. Sow seeds thinly and keep the soil evenly moist until they sprout.
Place the pot in a sunny spot for the best growth. You can harvest baby carrots early for snacks or wait for mature roots. Growing carrots in containers prevents the pest problems common in garden beds.
#6. Pumpkins
Source: Garden.eco
Pumpkins might surprise you as a container plant, but compact varieties adapt well. Choose a very large pot and provide a trellis for support. Keep the soil consistently moist and feed with organic fertilizer every two weeks.
Hand-pollinate flowers if bees are scarce. Expect smaller fruits than in a garden, but they are just as flavorful. Mini pumpkins are perfect for cooking and decorating.
#7. Tomato
Source: Petitti Garden Centers
Tomatoes love containers if they get full sun and steady watering. Use a 5-gallon pot or bigger with well-draining soil. Add stakes or cages early to support vines as they grow.
Feed them with a tomato-specific fertilizer for abundant fruiting. Regular pruning helps improve airflow and fruit size. Homegrown tomatoes are juicy and far tastier than supermarket ones.
#8. Chives
Source: gardenofjojo
Chives are a great herb to keep on a sunny windowsill. They tolerate small pots and need little care beyond occasional watering. Trim leaves often, and they ll regrow quickly.
Purple blossoms are edible too and look lovely in salads. Divide clumps every year to keep plants healthy. Chives bring mild onion flavor to countless dishes.
#9. Spinach
Source: boricuaplantmama
Spinach thrives in cool weather and grows well in wide, shallow pots. Use rich soil and water frequently to prevent bolting. Position containers in partial shade during hot days.
Harvest young leaves regularly to encourage new growth. Spinach matures quickly, so you can enjoy multiple crops in one season. Freshly picked leaves are tender and full of nutrients.
#10. Lemon Balm
Source: bloomandglean
Lemon Balm is aromatic and soothing, perfect for teas and desserts. It grows well in medium pots with partial sunlight. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Trim stems regularly to prevent flowering and extend harvest time. The lemony fragrance uplifts your balcony space. Its calming qualities make it a must-have for container gardens.
#11. Garlic
Source: Clean Green Simple
Garlic adapts beautifully to pots when given enough depth. Plant cloves in fall or early spring, pointy side up. Keep the soil evenly moist and place the pot in full sun.
You ll harvest green shoots early and bulbs later in the season. Garlic also deters pests from nearby plants. A pot of garlic gives you both flavor and function.
#12. Chilli Peppers
Source: EatingWell
Chilli Peppers bring color, heat, and charm to small spaces. They thrive in pots under bright sunlight and need consistent watering.
Use well-drained soil and fertilize lightly during flowering. Pick peppers when they reach full color to encourage more fruiting. Compact plants make them easy to manage indoors or outdoors. Fresh chilies add excitement to any meal.
#13. Mint
Source: Better Homes&Gardens
Mint is best grown in containers to prevent it from spreading uncontrollably. Place it in partial sun and keep soil consistently moist.
Trim frequently to encourage fresh leaves. It s hardy and forgiving, perfect for beginners. Fresh mint brightens teas, salads, and cocktails. Having a pot nearby ensures you ll always have some on hand.
#14. Potatoes
Source: Gardener’s Path
Potatoes are fun to grow in large, deep pots or bags. Start with seed potatoes and cover them with soil as shoots grow. Keep soil moist and mound up more soil around stems as they lengthen.
Place containers in full sun for best yields. Harvest once plants flower and leaves yellow. Digging into the pot feels like finding buried treasure.
#15. Radishes
Source: Clean Green Simple
Radishes are one of the quickest vegetables to grow in containers. Sow seeds directly into the soil and keep it moist. They re ready to harvest in just 3â4 weeks.
Use a wide pot with at least 6 inches of depth. Grow them in full sun for the best flavor. Crisp and peppery, they re ideal for salads and snacks.
#16. Sage
Source: Herbalwise Holdings
Sage is a hardy herb that loves full sun in containers. Use a clay pot with sandy, well-drained soil. Water lightly and let soil dry between sessions.
Trim back after flowering to keep it bushy. Fresh sage leaves elevate roasts, soups, and teas. It s both ornamental and practical on your balcony.
#17. Summer Squash
Source: Clean Green Simple
Summer Squash grows quickly in large pots with plenty of sun. Use a container at least 15 inches deep and wide. Water generously to support its rapid growth.
Provide a stake or cage if needed. Harvest when fruits are small and tender for best taste. Squash plants are prolific and rewarding in pots.
#18. Thyme
Source: The Kitchen Herbs
Thyme thrives in pots with sandy soil and bright sunlight. Water sparingly, as it dislikes soggy roots. Regular trimming keeps it neat and promotes new growth.
Place it near your kitchen for easy harvest. The small leaves add rich flavor to soups, stews, and sauces. Thyme is low-maintenance and ideal for busy gardeners.
#19. Rosemary
Source: Gardening Know How
Rosemary brings fragrance and structure to your container garden. Grow it in terracotta pots with excellent drainage. Give it full sun and water when the soil feels dry.
Prune stems regularly to keep it bushy. Its aromatic leaves flavor countless recipes. A pot of rosemary doubles as décor and a culinary staple.
#20. Cucumbers
Source: HGTV
Cucumbers climb well in containers when given a trellis or stake. Use a wide pot with rich, moist soil. Keep them in a sunny spot and water often.
Harvest regularly to encourage more fruit. Compact cucumber varieties are best for small spaces. Crisp cucumbers fresh from the vine are unbeatable in summer salads.
#21. Egg Plant
Source: Garden.eco
Eggplants thrive in warm conditions, making containers perfect for them. Use a large pot with fertile, well-drained soil. Place in full sun and water consistently.
Stake plants early to support heavy fruits. Harvest when skin is glossy and firm. Eggplants add elegance and flavor to your garden and kitchen.
#22. Choy Sum
Source: Freepik
Choy Sum, also called Chinese flowering cabbage, is excellent for pots. It grows fast and prefers rich soil with steady moisture.
Keep it in full sun or light shade. Harvest tender stems and leaves when young for stir-fries and soups. Successive sowing ensures continuous harvests. Choy Sum is a delicious, versatile addition to container gardens.
#23. Lettuce
Source: Plant Instructions
Lettuce grows quickly in shallow pots and thrives in cool conditions. Sow seeds thickly and thin them as they sprout. Keep soil moist and provide partial shade in hot weather.
Harvest outer leaves for a cut-and-come-again supply. Fresh lettuce is a simple joy for any meal. A few pots can keep you stocked for weeks.
#24. Water Cress
Source: Gardening etc
Watercress loves moisture, making containers with a constant water supply ideal. Use shallow pots and rich soil kept wet at all times.
Place in partial shade for best growth. Trim often to prevent flowering and keep leaves tender. It grows quickly and provides continuous harvests. Watercress adds peppery zest to salads and soups.
#25. Coriander
Source: Balcony Garden Web
Coriander, or cilantro, is easy to raise in medium pots. Sow seeds directly into the soil and keep them moist. Place containers in partial sun, as too much heat makes them bolt.
Harvest leaves regularly for fresh dishes. Later, you can collect seeds for spice. Coriander gives your meals a burst of fresh, citrusy flavor.