The Best Vegetables to Grow in Pots (Ranked by Yield)

Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet Success in Small Spaces

Cherry tomatoes are incredibly rewarding in containers, often out-yielding their larger counterparts in sheer numbers. Their small size makes them perfect for snacking and salads.

• Variety Selection: Choose determinate (bush) varieties or compact indeterminate types like ‘Tiny Tim’, ‘Patio Princess’, ‘Sweet Million’, or ‘Sungold’.
• Planting: Start with healthy seedlings. Bury them deeply, up to the first set of true leaves, to encourage a strong root system. One plant per 5-gallon (or larger) pot.
• Sunlight: Tomatoes demand full sun, at least 8 hours a day, for optimal fruit production.
• Watering: Consistent watering is critical. Fluctuations lead to blossom end rot (a dark, sunken spot on the bottom of the fruit) and cracked fruit. Keep the soil evenly moist, never soggy or bone dry.
• Fertilizing: Tomatoes are heavy feeders. Use a balanced fertilizer initially, then switch to a “bloom” or “tomato” specific fertilizer (higher in phosphorus and potassium) once flowers appear, every 2-3 weeks.
• Support: Even bush varieties benefit from a sturdy stake or small tomato cage to support the fruit-laden branches and prevent breakage.
• Harvesting: Pick fruits when they are fully colored and firm. Continue harvesting throughout the summer and into fall until frost.

Leafy Greens: The Cut-and-Come-Again Champions

Lettuce, spinach, arugula, and Swiss chard are some of the easiest and most productive `best crops small garden` can produce. Their “cut-and-come-again” nature means you get multiple harvests from a single planting.

• Variety Selection: Look for loose-leaf lettuce varieties (‘Black Seed Simpson’, ‘Salad Bowl’), ‘Tyee’ spinach, ‘Bright Lights’ Swiss chard, or any fast-growing arugula.
• Planting: Direct sow seeds thinly and cover lightly with potting mix. Or, plant seedlings a few inches apart. You can sow a new batch every 2-3 weeks for continuous supply (succession planting).
• Sunlight: 4-6 hours of direct sun is sufficient. In hot climates, partial shade in the afternoon prevents bolting.
• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist. Leafy greens need ample water for tender, crisp leaves.
• Fertilizing: A balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks, or compost tea, supports lush growth.
• Harvesting: Harvest outer leaves as needed, allowing the inner leaves to continue growing. For spinach and arugula, you can also harvest the entire plant once mature. Swiss chard stems can be harvested individually.