How to Grow Plants in Small, Unconventional Spaces
Learn simple ways to grow plants, even if you have very little patio garden.
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Do you want to grow a garden but don’t have much room? Don’t worry! You can still enjoy gardening, even in small or unusual spaces like balconies, patios, or windowsills. With the right ideas, tools, and plants, you can create a beautiful garden anywhere.
Let’s explore easy ways to start gardening in small spaces and make the most of what you have.
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Why Try Small-Space Gardening?
Small-space gardening has many benefits:
It’s eco-friendly: Growing your own food or plants helps the environment.
It saves money: Fresh herbs and veggies at home mean fewer trips to the store.
It’s relaxing: Taking care of plants is a great way to reduce stress.
You don’t need a big backyard. A little creativity is all it takes!
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Step 1: Check Your Space
Look at the area where you want to garden:
Walls and railings: Use them for hanging planters or vertical gardens.
Light: Find out how much sunlight your space gets each day.
Size: Measure your space to pick the right-sized pots or containers.
If you don’t get a lot of sunlight, don’t worry—there are ways to grow plants with less light.
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Step 2: Pick the Right Plants
Some plants grow better than others in small spaces. Start with these:
Easy Plants for Small Gardens
1. Herbs: Basil, mint, thyme, and parsley are perfect for beginners.
2. Veggies: Try cherry tomatoes, lettuce, or radishes.
3. Fruits: Strawberries and dwarf lemon trees work well in pots.
4. Decorative plants: Succulents and small flowers add beauty to your space.
Want more ideas? Check out this helpful plant list from the University of Illinois Extension.
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Step 3: Use Creative Containers
You don’t need fancy pots to grow plants. Look around your home for items you can reuse.
Fun Container Ideas
Old cans, buckets, or jars
Wooden crates or boxes
Hanging baskets or wall planters
Stacked pots for more space
Make sure your containers have holes at the bottom for drainage. Gardening Know How has great tips for DIY planters.
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Step 4: Try Vertical Gardening
Vertical gardening helps you save space by growing plants upwards instead of outwards.
How to Garden Vertically
Trellises: Great for plants that climb, like peas or beans.
Shelves: Place pots on stacked shelves to use height.
Wall pockets: Use fabric pockets or hanging planters on fences or walls.
Lightweight containers are best so your vertical garden stays safe and sturdy.
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Step 5: Prepare the Soil
Good soil is important, especially in small gardens. Most of you know I love compost, but there’s other ways to achieve the same result. Use:
Potting mix: It’s lightweight and has the right nutrients.
Compost: Add organic compost from your kitchen for healthy plants.
Fertilizer: Use slow-release fertilizer for steady growth.
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Step 6: Water the Right Way
Watering plants in small spaces can be tricky. Too much water can harm your plants or even kill them.
Watering Tips
Use pots with drainage holes. You can place pantyhose inside the pot so the soil does not drop out when you water.
Try self-watering pots or drip irrigation kits. You can even make your own Olla’s out of a small clay pot turned upside down. This video from Sanctuary Garden’s youtube channel shows how to make a small olla at 6:50 in the video.
Water in the morning to keep plants fresh all day.
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Step 7: Stop Pests Naturally
Even in small gardens, pests can be a problem. Here’s how to keep them away:
Natural sprays: Use neem oil or garlic spray.
Yellow Sticky Tags; Bugs stick to these tags and are a great way to catch whiteflies before they destroy your plant.
Companion plants: Plant marigolds or mint to repel pests.
Regular checks: Look at your plants often to catch problems early. If you wait even more than a couple of days, a plant can be severely damaged.
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Step 8: Grow in Low Light
If your space doesn’t get much sunlight, you can still grow plants:
Use grow lights: These lights mimic sunlight and help plants grow.
Reflect light: Place mirrors or shiny surfaces near your plants to reflect light.
Read more about grow lights in this Gardeners Supply guide.
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Step 9: Change with the Seasons
Adapt your garden as the seasons change:
In winter, move plants indoors or use covers to protect them. If you have a carport, you can set your plants between two straw bales.
In summer, water your plants more to keep them cool or use an olla to keep the roots damp.
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Inspiration for Small Spaces
Here are some other places for gardening in tight spots:
Windowsills: Small pots of herbs or flowers are great for windows. They provide a fresh fragrance too.
Balconies: Combine hanging baskets with railing planters. Put larger pots on coaster rollers so they are easy to move.
Walls: Use vertical gardens to create a green wall. Succulents make a great low maintenance green wall or art piece.
Patios: Rolling carts with plants are easy to move around.
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Start Your Small Garden Today
Growing plants in small spaces is fun, easy, and rewarding. You don’t need a lot of space or money to create a beautiful garden. With the right plants, tools, and a bit of care, you can grow a garden that fits your home and lifestyle. You don’t need to do it all in one day. Add one plant a month and make sure your are always on the lookout for unusual pots.
Start with one or two plants, experiment with containers, and enjoy the process. Small steps can lead to big results. Happy gardening!
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Are you willing to share your small garden space? Take a picture and send it to us so we can feature your space in an upcoming blog post. Let us know in the comments below or use our contact page!
