8 Fruits and Vegetables You Shouldn’t Bother Planting in Containers

Container gardening allows gardeners with limited space a way to grow their favorite fruits and vegetables in vessels that are mobile, and can be moved to protected areas during inclement weather. Gardening in containers also gives the grower more control over soil conditions.

Not all plants thrive in containers, however. Before you turn into a modern-day version Oliver Wendell Douglas, the “Green Acres” attorney who had a sick corn crop on his New York City penthouse balcony, learn which vegetables really shouldn’t be grown in confined spaces (or the tricks you’ll need to coax them if growing them containers is truly your only option).

1. Sweet Corn

Sweet corn is not meant to be grown in containers largely because of its height. Shorter varieties may be successful, but the yield will be smaller and the plants will require more care than if they were planted in a garden. Because corn is wind-pollinated, corn seeds should be sown closely together, so you’ll need a heavy pot with good drainage and sufficient width and depth to handle several sturdy stalks. Halved whisky barrels are a good choice. The soil will need amending with compost. Corn benefits from fertilizer, lots of sunshine, and plentiful water.

2. Pumpkins and Winter Squash

Because pumpkin and winter squash vines spread laterally, container planting is difficult. Planters should be at least 4 feet wide to handle the plants’ root system and their fruit; a smaller container will result in smaller pumpkins. If you’re determined to grow pumpkins in a container, consider containers with a minimum capacity of 20 or 25 gallons.

Since pumpkins and many squash plants spread so much, no more than two should be planted in a container. As heavy feeders, they will need generous amounts of compost added to the soil, regular fertilizing, and plenty of water, along with good drainage. If you decide to forgo pumpkins and acorn squash, consider growing summer squashes such as yellow crookneck or zucchini, which have a more compact, bushy form.

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3. Melons

Melons—including cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew—are heavy feeders with deep root systems and a wide spread, which makes container gardening difficult. The general rule of thumb is to give them at least 5 feet of growing space, which is easy in a garden, and less so in a container. One option for container or is to you can try to trellis them to grow vertically. Heavy melons will need support as the fruit grows, such as a “hammock” made of fabric. Because they’re slow to flower, melons exhaust soil nutrients. They benefit from heavy applications of compost and fertilizer, as well as lots of sun and water.

4. Broccoli

The problem with growing broccoli in pots is that the return on the square footage dedicated to each plant is just not that great. Individual broccoli plants should be grown in a light-colored container at least 12 inches by 12 inches; we recommend a 5-gallon pot per plant. (We say “light-colored container” because dark containers absorb too much heat from the sun.)

If you do try growing broccoli in containers, you’ll need to baby it more than you would if it were planted in the ground: Give it extra nutrients from compost and fertilizer, plenty of water, and, most important, time planting so that you’re harvesting during cooler weather.

5. Cauliflower

Like its cruciferous cousin broccoli, cauliflower has shallow roots that make it adaptable to container growing. However, cauliflower is a demanding plant that requires near-constant moisture, good drainage, and full sun, which isn’t easy to achieve when container gardening. While garden soil is fine if cauliflower is planted in the garden, a looser, lightweight soil is necessary for container growing so roots can breathe without becoming compacted. The heads must be blanched (the leaves pulled together over the top of the developing heads) for sun protection on this cool-weather crop.

6. Cucumbers

Cucumbers are related to squash, melons, and gourds. Like them, cukes tend to spread out, so container gardening can be challenging. A trellis is beneficial, directing growth up instead of out. You’ll need a 5-gallon pot or grow bag, at minimum, for each plant. Larger containers also retain more water, which cukes are known to require. Like its relatives, the cucumber is a heavy feeder and will need frequent fertilizing. They also like full sun and warm soil.

7. Potatoes

Potatoes need a lot of underground space, which containers don’t have. Not only does the vessel need to be large enough to accommodate growing spuds, but it must provide access for the gardener to harvest the potatoes as they mature. Containers must also be big enough to allow “hilling,” the process of adding dirt as the plant grows. The catch is, if the container is too tall, it’s difficult to water the plants evenly and rot may occur. Container-grown taters need frequent watering, well-drained soil, and fertilizer.

8. Eggplant

Eggplants need plenty of sun and warmth to grow. They also need a lot of space, so if you’re set on container-growing these purple fruits, you’ll need a large bin, bucket, or pot. A heavy clay pot will add stability and help retain warmth. A trellis with support for heavy fruit will help save the harvest. Large, bushy plants typically produce heavy, dense fruit. Eggplants like a lot of water; on a hot day, a container may need watering more than once.

 

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