Growing vegetables in containers
Last reviewed September 2026 · written from public-domain USDA/NOAA data and Cooperative Extension references — see how we source data
A container garden trades some yield and root room for the ability to grow vegetables anywhere with a few hours of sun — a balcony, a patio, a driveway. The two things that make or break it are the right pot size and the right soil.
What grows well in a pot
Herbs, lettuce and other greens, bush beans, radishes, and compact or "patio" varieties of tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers all do well. Full-size sprawling vines, sweet corn and main-crop potatoes need more root run and space than most containers give.
Sizing the container
Roughly: one gallon for a single herb, five gallons for peppers or a dwarf tomato, ten to fifteen-plus gallons for a full-size tomato plant. Bigger is more forgiving of missed watering. Every container needs drainage holes — without them, roots sit in water and rot.
Use potting mix, not garden soil
Garden soil compacts hard in a container, drains poorly, and can carry soil-borne disease. A bagged soilless potting mix (mostly peat or coir, perlite and compost) stays light and drains while still holding moisture.
Watering and feeding more often
Containers dry out far faster than ground beds — daily watering in summer heat is normal, sometimes twice a day for small pots. Frequent watering also washes nutrients out the drainage holes faster, so feed more often, typically at half the label strength every one to two weeks rather than a big monthly dose.