If you have big dreams for your garden but not so much space, perhaps you should consider miniature container gardening! They’re fantastic options for apartment-dwellers who yearn for a garden but are limited to their patios, and they can also work indoors if you’re hoping to brighten up a corner in your home. On top of that, if you choose a colorful assortment of different containers and arrange them creatively, your garden aesthetic will be twice as nice.
Living in a small space doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the beauty and joy of plants! With a little creativity, you can grow a thriving container garden, even with limited room.
When choosing what to plant in small pots, the key is selecting the right plants. You’ll want varieties that are compact slow growing, and don’t mind having their roots somewhat confined.
Here are 22 great options for what to plant in small pots
Herbs
Many culinary herbs happily grow in small containers. Consider trying:
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Basil – A versatile herb that adds flavor to dishes. Needs full sun.
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Mint – Spearmint and peppermint grow rapidly but can be contained in pots. Prefers partial shade.
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Oregano – A Mediterranean herb that can thrive in just 6 inches of soil. Needs full sun.
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Chives – Add a pop of flavor and color. Does well in partial sun.
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Thyme – A staple herb in small spaces. Tolerates drought once established.
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Rosemary – This woody herb prefers full sun and infrequent watering.
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Cilantro – Quick to bolt, so plan to sow new seeds often. Partial sun.
Flowers
For a pop of color, add some compact flowering plants:
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Petunias – Continuous bloomers available in many colors. Need full sun.
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Marigolds – Cheerful annuals that come in yellow, orange, red, and multi-colors.
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Geraniums – Vibrant, hardy plants that do well in containers. Need full sun.
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Pansies and violas – Charming edible flowers perfect for partial shade.
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Nasturtiums – Trailing flowers with edible leaves and a peppery taste. Full sun.
Succulents
Succulents make excellent small space plants since they store water in their fleshy leaves and stems. Good picks include:
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Echeveria – Rosette-forming succulents with ruffled leaves. Need full sun.
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Jade plant – An easy-to-grow succulent that can thrive for years in a small pot.
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Aloe vera – Known for its medicinal gel. Prefers bright, indirect light.
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Hens and chicks (Sempervivum) – Hardy succulents that spread in rosettes. Full sun.
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Burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum) – Trailing succulent with braided stems. Bright light.
Vegetables
Many vegetables can produce a decent harvest when grown in containers. Some top choices are:
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Cherry tomatoes – Compact and prolific producers perfect for pots. Need full sun.
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Peppers – Choose compact varieties like thumbelina. Prefer full sun.
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Eggplant – Opt for dwarf or patio varieties. Needs full sun.
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Bush beans – Grow pole beans on a trellis. Need full sun.
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Lettuce and spinach – Quick-growing greens. Grow in partial shade.
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Radishes and carrots – Direct sow for petite roots. Sunny area.
Houseplants
If you want to bring some indoor greenery into a small space, consider:
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Peace lily – Low maintenance plant that filters air. Prefers shade.
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Chinese money plant – Distinctive round leaves. Easy to grow in low light.
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Spider plant – Trails gracefully and produces baby plants. Bright indirect light.
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Pothos – An easy-to-grow vine. Tolerates low light.
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Snake plant – Hard to kill and filters air. Thrives in low light.
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African violet – Pretty blooms and colorful leaves. Needs bright indirect light.
Tips for Growing in Small Pots
To help your container plants thrive:
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Choose pots with drainage holes to prevent soggy soil.
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Use a quality potting mix, not garden soil which can get waterlogged.
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Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Plants in small pots need more frequent watering.
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Feed with a diluted liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season.
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Prune plants like basil to encourage bushy growth instead of height.
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Move pots to follow the sun throughout the day. Maximize light exposure.
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Monitor for pests like aphids which can spread quickly. Treat promptly.
Don’t let limited space stop you from enjoying the benefits of plants! With the right small space varieties, a bit of TLC, and smart potting techniques you can create a fabulous mini container garden.
What Can You Grow in Mini Flower Pots?
You might be quick to assume that mini pot gardening in limited space means you have limited options, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The beauty of container gardening is the versatility— you can arrange and rearrange however you see fit, and you can move the containers in and out of the light depending on your plants’ needs.
You’ve got plenty of options in terms of what plants you can grow in your pots, too. From tasty edibles to fragrant herbs and pretty flowers, there are loads of plants that will thrive in a small pot garden. An unexpected upside to mini flower pots is that they make great containers for daintier flowers that otherwise might get hidden or outshone in a large backyard garden full of other plants. Small, delicate blossoms like forget-me-nots are self-seeding and usually don’t exceed 6 inches tall, so in a small container of its own, it will get the attention it deserves and certainly won’t be forgotten! Other lovely smaller flowers that do well in small container gardens are:
Pansies: There are so many spectacular color combos available in this sweet, delicate flower. It can be hard to decide on just one, but luckily a mix of colors always looks fabulous. They’re low-maintenance and tolerate partial shade, but they prefer cooler weather, so it’s best to plant these little guys in late autumn so you can enjoy them over the winter until spring. They’re even edible, so when spring comes along you can pop off the flower heads and toss them in a salad or press them into sugar cookies and cupcakes. (Just make sure to avoid any chemicals on them when growing!)
Begonias: Another shade-tolerant blossom with many vibrant color options, this classic container flower will do just fine in a mini pot. They’re quite hardy perennials that should keep coming back to bloom again each spring, and they take well to cutting, so you can place them in cute smaller vases if they’re starting to get a bit bushy.
Baby Tears: These adorable flowers get their name from their small teardrop leaves. They have long stems that flop over in their containers and grow downward, which can create a really gorgeous effect if you’ve got them in a pretty pot in a complementary color.
Creative Ideas for a Small Pot Garden
A little variety will ensure your container arrangement is interesting, balanced and aesthetically appealing. A bunch of containers in the same size and color can be a bit boring. Try mixing things up a bit with these fun ideas for mini flower pots:
Painted Pots: Our garden center has a great assortment of different pots, but if you’re a creative type and would like to take things a step further, why not buy some terracotta pots and paint them with pretty designs using colorful paints for terra cotta?
Teacups: Miniature teacup gardens are downright adorable, and you can find tons of pretty teacups at a local antique shop with sweet painted patterns and floral prints. Since they’re a bit on the shallow side and don’t have drainage holes, be careful about overwatering, and maybe opt for plants that don’t need much water at all, like succulents or cacti. Some smaller garden herbs that prefer dry soil, like thyme, work pretty well in teacups as well.
20 BEST Vegetables, Fruits & Herbs for CONTAINER GARDENING: Growing in the Garden
FAQ
What plants are good for tiny pots?
Here are some excellent options: Succulents: These hardy plants are perfect for small pots. Varieties like aloe, echeveria, and jade plants require minimal maintenance and can tolerate dry conditions. Herbs: Culinary herbs like basil, mint, and chives are great choices.
What can I put in small plant pots?
- Live herbs for kitchen.
- Keys, utensils, wallets, etc.
- Pampas grass.
- Decorative balls for bowls.
- Toilet bowl plunger holder.
- Easy care plants.
- Decorative wooden chains and beads.
- Candles.
Will plants stay small in small pots?
You can put small plants in small pots, them staying small may not be the case though. If kept in too small of a pot it can affect their health, roots need room to grow. You’ll wind up with stunted growth and a weak plant in the long run.
What plants can grow in small pots?
Plants with shallow or compact roots work best in small pots. These roots don’t need much depth, so they’re happy in less soil. Good choices include ferns, spider plants, and some types of cacti. These plants can thrive without needing a big pot, making them perfect for small spaces. Think about how much water your small pots can hold.
What plants are best for a container garden?
Whether indoors or out in your container garden, certain types like African violets, prayer plants and snake plants can be an ideal fit. Not only are they accustomed to smaller pots and shallow soil, but they bring a unique aesthetic appeal that’ll brighten up any space.
Are small pots suitable for growing plants?
Small pots are perfect for anyone with limited space and offer flexibility in placement and design. They can be enjoyed for many years to come.
Can you grow vegetables in small pots?
Yes, you can grow vegetables in small pots indoors. Choose compact varieties of herbs, leafy greens, and some small fruiting plants. Ensure they get enough light from a sunny window or grow lights. How do I Prevent Root Rot in Tiny Containers?
Can you grow plants in shallow pots or containers?
Growing plants in shallow pots or containers may seem like a simple task, but it’s not without its challenges. Understanding these obstacles and how to overcome them will help you cultivate a thriving container garden. A garden filled with shallow-pot friendly plants offers you the joy of gardening without requiring a lot of space.
How do I choose plants for shallow pots?
When you’re choosing plants for shallow pots, it’s crucial to consider a few key factors. First off, understand that these containers don’t offer a lot of space for deep roots. You’ll want to look at plants with shallow root systems that can thrive in less soil. Secondly, pay attention to drainage holes.