The Simple Beginner's Guide to Container Gardening

Thinking of adding some greenery to your space and ready to try container gardening? The best place to start is simply by grabbing a pot and diving in! If the idea of digging up soil and planting seeds feels overwhelming or if you’re not exactly a gardening expert, container gardening offers a low-pressure way to introduce plants, flowers, and even edibles to your outdoor area—even if you only have a balcony.

To help you begin your container gardening journey, we consulted with experts who bring over 75 years of combined experience, offering easy-to-follow tips and advice for growing vibrant, healthy plants in pots.

What is Container Gardening?

Amy Zinner, a professional gardener from Louisville who specializes in designing 'plantscapes' for both residential and commercial settings, suggests that container gardening is all about using pots to creatively integrate plants, flowers, vegetables, and herbs into your space as a way to bring nature into your environment.

So, what exactly is container gardening? Simply put, it refers to growing plants in containers or pots above ground instead of planting them directly in the earth, explains Jan Phipps, a retired farmer and former master gardener at University of Illinois Extension.

What are the Benefits of Container Gardening?

For those with limited outdoor space—such as apartment or condo dwellers—or those dealing with poor soil, container gardening is an ideal solution for adding vibrancy and texture to balconies, patios, and porches, according to Phipps. However, its benefits aren’t confined to these areas alone!

Raised beds are also considered a form of container gardening, according to Zinner. Additionally, beautifully arranged containers can enhance the appearance of your home’s entryway or backyard. Purchasing pots and potting soil (which we’ll discuss shortly) is an easy way to begin, particularly for those with little gardening experience.

How to Begin Container Gardening

Choosing the Right Containers

Almost anything—from an old pair of boots to a wine barrel—can serve as a container for plants. However, most conventional containers come in the form of pots, which can be made from materials such as plastic or concrete, each with their own benefits and drawbacks.

“I do believe in starting with a high quality pot and high quality soil, because it just sets you up for success,” says Zinner. She prefers a glazed ceramic pot, as it withstands winter weather, while Phipps favors terra-cotta for its porous nature.

While plastic pots are lightweight, portable, and relatively inexpensive, Zinner avoids using them. Why? “Because it looks like plastic!” she says. “If you're aiming for beauty, you don’t want to place your plants in a pot that doesn’t complement their elegance.” Concrete pots, though heavy and difficult to move, are great for plants with large canopies that might easily blow over, according to Phipps.

Regardless of your choice of container, the most important thing is that it allows for proper drainage. “If there’s no place for the water to go, that plant is going to drown,” warns Zinner.

Choosing the Best Soil Mix

Experts suggest keeping things simple when it comes to soil. Experienced gardeners may enjoy experimenting with their own mixes, but pre-packaged soil blends take the guesswork out of it. “They’ve already provided the right balance of nutrients that plants need to thrive,” says Zinner.

What you should *never* use, says Phipps, is plain garden dirt. “You would never use topsoil or anything you’d shovel from your garden. When it dries out, it shrinks and pulls away from the sides of the pot,” she explains. “Then, watering becomes difficult because the water runs down between the root ball and the pot’s edge.”

For her professional designs, Zinner prefers Miracle-Gro. “It's so reliable,” she says, “and it's a great value.” While it may not *guarantee* success, she adds, “it certainly gives you a better starting point.”

Pick Suitable Plants

So, what should you plant? With so many plant options, Zinner recommends starting with a design plan. According to both experts, the secret formula is ‘thriller, filler, spiller.’

“The thriller is your signature plant,” says Zinner. “It’s going to be the tallest, the most striking plant, and there will only be one of them.” A canna lily is a great example of a thriller, often placed in the center of the pot.

The filler, as the name suggests, is a smaller plant that “fills the gap between the top of the thriller and the bottom of the pot,” explains Zinner. (Lantana is a solid choice.) “And the spiller consists of plants that cascade around the bottom of the pot,” she says, with petunias being a fantastic option.

You’re not restricted to just plants and flowers. Small tomatoes, herbs, and even cucumbers can thrive in containers.

Annuals vs. Perennials in Container Gardens

While you can grow both annuals (plants that last only one season) and perennials (plants that return year after year) in containers, annuals tend to make a bigger impact. They provide immediate color and grow rapidly. They’re also typically more affordable, though you’ll usually need to replace them each year.

The general rule, according to Zinner, is to choose one or the other in any given pot. “Consider what’s happening beneath the surface: once a plant is settled, its roots spread out in all directions,” she explains.

“So if you place a perennial in a pot with, let’s say, two annuals, and those annuals die, you’ll disturb the perennial when you remove the dead annuals. Then, when you add a new plant, it will compete with the root system of the existing perennial,” she says.

How to Water Container Gardens

The general guideline for watering container gardens, according to Zinner, is to keep the soil moist—not too wet, not too dry. While she sometimes uses a simple water meter, her go-to method is to stick her index finger into the soil up to the second knuckle. “If I feel moisture, the plant is happy,” she says. “If it feels dry, it needs water.” Zinner suggests watering in the morning to allow the soil time to dry before evening, which can help prevent mildew.

Phipps advises you to “water the soil, not the plant.” She adds, “Don’t just pour water over the top of the whole container.” Wetting the plant itself can cause diseases. “It’s better to direct your watering can or hose through the plants, ensuring the entire volume of soil is moistened,” she explains, rather than just the top layer.

Both experts agree that you don’t need to worry about irrigation systems. They’re an advanced, costly option not suited for beginners. Your plants will thrive just fine without the fancy setup.

Fertilizing Container Plants

Plants require nutrients, and while fertilizing isn't absolutely necessary for a thriving garden, Zinner swears by it. Her go-to fertilizer is Osmocote. “I apply fertilizer when I plant the pot and simply follow the instructions on the bottle,” she shares. “You shake the fertilizer onto the soil, then use your fingers or a small prong tool to work it into the top one to three inches of soil.”

Phipps also suggests opting for a pre-made fertilizer, pointing out that there are both organic and conventional options available. The distinction? “Organic fertilizers typically improve the soil, which in turn nourishes the plant,” she explains, while “conventional fertilizers directly add nitrogen to the soil, which the plant can take up instantly.” It all comes down to personal preference, she notes. “Both types are effective.”

Container Gardening Maintenance

Taking care of your container garden throughout the season isn't a one-off task—it’s part of the enjoyment! “I love watering,” Phipps confesses. “It gives me a reason to step outside every day. I love nurturing it, shaping it, and moving the plants around so they always look fresh. Or I enjoy starting with a tiny seedling and watching it grow, then moving it indoors for the winter and bringing it back outside when the weather warms up.”

A key part of maintaining your plants is deadheading. Though the term may sound a bit grim, it’s actually quite beneficial! “When a flower fades, pinch it off,” Zinner advises. “That way, the plant can direct its energy toward producing new blooms.” You can also prune the plant by trimming back the top to encourage fuller, bushier growth, she suggests.

Watching out for pests is another task to manage, but fortunately, “there are surprisingly few [pests] with container gardens outside,” says Phipps. In nature, “the beneficial insects keep the harmful ones in check, maintaining balance,” she explains. The only possible exception is Japanese beetles. For those, she advises, "you simply monitor and remove them by hand."

Winterizing Container Plants

All good things eventually come to an end. However, just because the season finishes doesn’t mean your container garden has to as well. Unless you're in a region with year-round sunshine, your plants will need to be moved indoors or at least placed in a sheltered spot, assuming your location is warm enough.