Container Plants

Introduction

Container gardening is a fun and easy way to have a full garden in your backyard or on your patio, even if you don’t have a ton of space. If you’re just getting started with container gardens, the first step is deciding what kind of plants you want to grow. Some plants are better suited than others for containers, so we’ve compiled this list of small garden plants that are particularly ideal for containers!

Herbs

Herbs are a great way to add flavor to your dishes, and they can be extremely easy to grow in containers. If you’re looking for something with a little bit of an edge, try adding rosemary or tarragon—these plants provide a peppery flavor that goes well with many different types of dishes. Basil is another herb that works well in containers and has an unmistakable scent; this plant will attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, making it super beneficial if you want your garden (and home!) to be more eco-friendly.

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums are a great choice for containers because they are easy to grow and have a pretty flower. They can be grown in pots, window boxes or hanging baskets. These plants are a good choice for beginners as they are easy to care for and come back each year.

Nasturtiums like full sun but will tolerate partial shade. Plant them after all danger of frost has passed and make sure that the soil is moist before planting your seeds or seedlings. They do not like overly rich soil so add some compost or peat moss before planting your nasturtium seeds or seedlings in the pot.

The flowers attract butterflies but also look beautiful when cut up into salads!

Strawberries

Strawberries are a popular choice for container gardening, and they’re easy to grow. They’re a great choice for containers because they’re very hardy and can take some neglect. If you want to start your own strawberry plants at home, you’ll need to buy the right type of seeds. Look for small red seeds and make sure they can be started indoors or in a greenhouse since strawberries don’t do well in cold temperatures (they’re actually one of the first fruits to ripen each year). You’ll also need potting soil mixed with compost so that it contains nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK).

When planting strawberry plants in your container garden, make sure there is enough sunlight so that all parts of the plant receive at least six hours per day—you may need more if you want large berries! Watering should be done regularly but not too much so as too much water can cause root rot which kills off roots and makes them rot away completely.”

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a popular choice for container gardening. These plants will grow in any sunny location and can be used to decorate your patio or porch. Tomatoes do require regular watering, fertilization and pruning, but staking and trellising can help you gain more control over the plant’s growth.

Thyme

Thyme is a perennial, which means it will continue to grow year after year. It’s considered a good ground cover, or you can grow it in a container and allow it to sprawl over its edges. Thyme is also great for container gardening because of its ability to thrive in both sunny spots and shady spots. You’ll want to be sure your plant receives at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.

Thyme has many uses: use fresh leaves as seasoning with meats or vegetables; dry the leaves and use them whole or ground up as an ingredient in soups and sauces; make tea from the fresh leaves; use dried thymes as potpourri sachets; place fresh thyme sprigs in vases with flowers (they’re especially pretty with roses); sprinkle leaves on top of finished dishes for an extra touch of flavor!

Rosemary

Rosemary is a perennial herb that can be grown indoors or outdoors in containers. Rosemary grows well in containers and it’s a good plant for beginners to try their hand at gardening. Rosemary needs full sun, so if you have a south-facing window, that would be ideal for growing this plant indoors. Rosemary also does well outside because it prefers soil with lots of drainage, which makes it an excellent companion plant if you want to grow vegetables or herbs together in one container!

There are many different varieties of rosemary plants—some are bushier than others, some have dark leaves while others have lighter ones—so choose the type of rosemary that best suits your taste and style!

Lavender

Lavender is a perennial plant that is easy to grow in containers. It’s also an excellent choice for bees, making it a good choice if you are looking for plants that pollinate your garden. Lavender grows best when planted in sunny areas and can tolerate dry conditions.

Mint

Mint is a perennial plant and can be grown indoors or outdoors. Mint is easy to care for and can be grown in a variety of soil types, light conditions, and water conditions. Mint grows best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade as well.

Mint requires rich, moist soil with good drainage so that it does not become waterlogged in wintertime; however, mint does not like wet feet either! If you have heavy clay soil and good drainage isn’t an option for you then keep reading…

Begonia (Fibrous and Tuberous Types)

Begonia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Begoniaceae. The genus contains about 1,800 species, subspecies and cultivars. Begonia is a popular houseplant; some varieties can be grown outdoors in summer climates and as far north as zone 8. Begonia is also a good choice for containers and hanging baskets.

Begonias are classified into two types: fibrous-rooted (tuberous) or rhizomatous. Fibrous-rooted begonias have long stems that are easily separated from one another at the base and covered with small leaves (not clusters of leaves). These types generally flower all at once on new growth made during the season following warm weather conditions such as spring or summer heat waves; they require little pruning to maintain their shape because they naturally grow outward rather than upward toward light sources (though some may need staking). Rhizomatous begonias produce new growth along horizontal stems called rhizomes; these plants bloom one flower at a time on each stem instead of all together like the fibrous types do, so deadheading isn’t necessary after blooming has finished if you don’t want it to spread too aggressively in your garden space—just cut off excess foliage below where flowers were removed by hand!

Parsley

Parsley is a perennial plant. It can be grown in a sunny or shady spot, and will do well in containers. Parsley prefers moist soil, but it can tolerate dry conditions as well. You can grow parsley from seed or by rooting a cutting (called propagation).

Chives

Chives are a perennial herb that can be planted in the spring and harvested for use all year long. They’re a great addition to any container garden because they grow easily, require little maintenance and look great when grown in pots. Chives make a wonderful garnish for soups or salad dressings, but also work well as an ingredient in pesto or sandwich spreads. In fact, there are plenty of ways you can use chives in your cooking! For example:

  • Use them in soups or stews
  • Add them to casseroles
  • Make homemade salad dressing with minced chives (or buy some at the store!)

Choosing the right container plants can be tricky, so we’ve compiled a list to get you started!

Choosing the right container plants can be tricky, so we’ve compiled a list to get you started!

  • Choose plants that are suited to your climate. The best way to do this is by researching the USDA Hardiness Zone map and selecting only those plants that have been tested for their ability to withstand low temperatures in winter. Climate can change over time, so it’s always good to check with local gardeners about what grows well in your area.
  • Choose plants that are suited to your light conditions. Some plants need full sun (6 hours or more) while others prefer shade or partial shade (2-6 hours). If you’re trying out a new plant or don’t know its light requirements yet, use an indoor grow light if necessary until you see how it fares outdoors! You’ll want one with adjustable settings so you can adjust as necessary during different times of day/year/etc.) Be sure also not too close: 6 inches away from leaves should suffice unless otherwise directed by package directions or other sources).

Conclusion

We hope this article has given you a better idea of what container plants are and how they can be used in your small garden. We know the challenge of finding space in your yard to plant flowers, so try using some container plants instead! There’s always room on our windowsill for herb gardens or potted flowers. You’ll be surprised at just how much beauty these small garden plants add to an otherwise dreary day!

Leave a Reply