Growing Vegetables in Containers on a Balcony or Patio

By Owen Petrakis · Published Sep 21, 2026 · 6 min read

In this guide

Pick big enough pots
Use good compost
Watch the sun and wind
Watering is everything
Good container crops

Many vegetables grow happily in containers, which also makes it easier to control soil, avoid some pests, and move plants into the best light.

Container growing does have its own rules, especially when it comes to watering.

Pick big enough pots

Small pots dry out fast and limit root growth. For tomatoes, courgettes, and potatoes, aim for at least 30–40 litres per plant. Salad leaves and herbs manage in shallower troughs. Every container must have drainage holes.

Use good compost

Use a peat-free multipurpose or container compost rather than garden soil, which compacts in pots. Mixing in some slow-release fertiliser at planting helps, and hungry crops like tomatoes need regular liquid feed once they start flowering.

Watch the sun and wind

Most fruiting vegetables need at least six hours of sun. Balconies can also be windy, which dries plants out and can damage tall crops. Group pots together for shelter and stake tall plants securely.

Watering is everything

Containers can need watering daily in hot weather, sometimes twice. Self-watering pots, saucers, and a layer of mulch help. Check the weight limit of your balcony before using lots of large, wet containers.

Good container crops

Cherry and bush tomatoes
Chilli and sweet peppers
Salad leaves, spinach, and chard
Potatoes in deep bags
Strawberries in hanging baskets or troughs
Dwarf beans and herbs

This is general gardening information. Results depend on your climate, soil, and conditions. Follow label directions for any fertiliser or treatment, and check whether plants are toxic to pets or children before bringing them home.

🔓

Keep reading

Watch a short ad to unlock the rest of this guide — free, no account needed.