If you’re a keen foodie, you might love the idea of growing your own produce. Unfortunately, not everyone has the room to have their own vegetable patch. Not to worry, there are many ways to grow some yummy ingredients in even the smallest space.
Not every plant listed here survives in every locale. Check the care instructions against the USDA zone map to learn whether these can work for you.
5 Surprising Plants That You Might Be Able to Grow in Pots
While you probably know you can grow herbs in planters, the rest of this list might surprise and delight you.
1 – Chili Peppers
Fancy a little heat? Chilis are fantastic things to grow yourself. There are thousands of different types of plants that have different levels of heat. Many people are growing ghost peppers in plant pots in all sorts of climates. In general, chilis like warm, humid conditions, so if you live in a hot country, it shouldn’t be too difficult for them to thrive. People living in colder climes can still grow them. You’ll just have to make sure that they are protected from cold weather, perhaps in a small greenhouse or indoors.
2 – Herbs
Herbs add delicious tastes and aromas to dishes. Elevating them from the mundane to the amazing. The good news is, you can grow your own herbs indoors, with just a few pots on your kitchen window. Imagine having fresh herbs to hand whenever you’re cooking? They’ll make your kitchen smell amazing too.
You can grow chives, basil, thyme, rosemary, oregano, coriander, and parsley fairly easily indoors. Starter kits are available online with everything you need to get started with your herb garden.
3 – Quinoa
Ever thought about where quinoa comes from? It’s risen in popularity recently as a healthy alternative to things like white rice. It’s packed full of fiber and nutrients that are great for your health.
Even though quinoa is associated with hot countries in South America, it’s a really robust plant that can grow in most conditions. It can be grown in containers on balconies or patis and will only grow to about 25 inches, meaning it won’t take over your garden.
4 – Strawberries
Who doesn’t love a juicy strawberry? They’re a favorite with adults and kids all over the world. Strawberries thrive in pots and can be grown all year round if they get enough light. They need plenty of room to spread out and grow, so don’t overplant.
5 – Pineapple
Most people assume that pineapples grow on trees. In fact, they grow on plants much closer to the ground.
If you want to grow your own pineapple, cut the top off a fresh pineapple, leaving about an inch of fruit, and soak it in water for 24/48 hours. Plant it in a one-gallon container and keep it in a warm spot that gets s plenty of sunlight. During the colder months, you’ll want to bring the pots indoors at night.
The Bottom Line: These crops can grow in pots with a little effort and time on your part
There’s something really satisfying about growing your own food. So much of what we buy comes pre-packed from supermarkets. It’s nice to see something you’ve planted grow from scratch.
Of course, you should read the care tags that come with your plants — not every crop thrives in cold locations. Ask your local garden center for more direction on specific plants.
Don’t let lack of space put you off. There are always ways to get creative with window boxes and patios. Before you know it, you’ll be cooking delicious recipes with the food you’ve grown yourself.
She has a B.S.Ed. in Secondary Education/English and a Spanish Minor. In addition, she holds a Certificates in Natural Health and Herbology from accredited programs. She pursued these natural wellness certifications due to her love for herb gardening.
Despite freelancing to make a living, her love is "all things home."
Deborah grew up in a family that grew a large vegetable garden and a fruit orchard, helping her parents pull weeds and can home-grown foods as part of her childhood. In fact, she had no idea that she could purchase veggies and fruits in pre-packed steel cans until she went to college and made a food run.
Today, she lives in Bertie County, North Carolina, an agricultural rural area with more chickens than people. She lives with her husband and two rescue pets a sweet toy fox terrier and a cat who showed up one day and moved into the house. Together, they enjoy DIY projects, furniture refinishing, gardening, and canning.
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