How to Grow Plants in Containers

Pick the right container

Almost anything that holds soil can be a container, as long as it has drainage holes. Terra cotta looks classic but dries out quickly, plastic holds moisture longer, and fabric pots offer excellent drainage and air pruning of roots. Choose a pot large enough for the plant’s mature size — a cramped root system means a stunted, thirsty plant.

Use the right soil

Always use a quality potting mix in containers. Garden soil is too heavy and compacts in pots, suffocating roots and holding too much water. Potting mix is light, drains well, and is designed for the confined conditions of a container. If you grow vegetables or heavy feeders, choose a mix enriched with compost or slow-release fertilizer.

Water often and consistently

Container plants dry out far faster than plants in the ground, especially in summer heat and wind. Check pots daily, and water when the top inch of soil feels dry, watering until it runs out of the drainage holes. In hot weather, you may need to water twice a day. Mulching the surface of the pot helps slow evaporation.

Feed regularly

Frequent watering washes nutrients out of pots, so container plants need regular feeding. A balanced liquid fertilizer every couple of weeks through the growing season keeps them productive. Or mix slow-release fertilizer into the soil at planting time for a low-effort option.

Choose good container crops

Herbs like basil, parsley, and mint are perfect for pots. Compact vegetables — cherry tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, and bush beans — do beautifully in larger containers, and trailing or upright annuals fill pots with color. Match the plant to the pot size, and even a tiny space can produce a surprising harvest.

Care for containers through the seasons

Container plants need seasonal adjustments. In summer, they may need daily watering and a little afternoon shade to avoid scorching. In fall, move tender plants indoors before frost and cut back spent annuals. In winter, protect pots from freezing, since the roots are more exposed than plants in the ground.

Refresh the potting mix each spring, since it breaks down and loses nutrients over a season. A little seasonal attention keeps container plants healthy year after year and keeps your patio or balcony looking its best.

Avoid common container mistakes

A few mistakes account for most container failures. Pots without drainage holes drown roots, garden soil in pots turns dense and airless, and small pots dry out so fast that plants wilt daily. Starting with the right pot, the right mix, and an adequate size solves most of these before they begin.

Another common mistake is underfeeding, since watering washes nutrients away. A regular feeding routine, combined with good soil and proper drainage, keeps container plants growing strongly all season.

Move pots to follow the sun

One advantage of containers is that they're portable. If a plant isn't getting enough light, move the pot to a sunnier spot; if leaves are scorching, move it into a little afternoon shade. You can also move pots closer to the door for herbs you use often, or into shelter when the weather turns.

Refresh containers each spring

Each spring, refresh your containers by replacing the top few inches of potting mix or repotting into fresh soil. Old mix compacts and loses nutrients over a season, and a quick refresh keeps plants growing strongly without the need for a full repot every year.