Vegetables in Containers on a Balcony: Pot Size and Sun by Crop
Which vegetables grow in containers on a balcony: minimum pot size by crop, hours of sun for warm and cool crops, easy picks and crops to skip.
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Most vegetables grow in containers if the pot is big enough and the spot gets enough sun. University of Maryland Extension lists minimums of a pint for radishes, half a gallon for lettuce, 5 gallons for peppers and cucumbers and 10 for summer squash. Fruiting crops need 6 to 8 hours of sun; greens manage with 3 to 5.
This guide is part of what to grow on a balcony.
Container size by crop
Container size is the first thing to settle for each vegetable. University of Maryland Extension gives these minimums:
| Crop | Minimum container (UMD) |
|---|---|
| Radishes | 1 pint |
| Leaf lettuce, beets | ½ gallon |
| Bush beans, carrots, Swiss chard, cherry tomatoes | 2 gallons |
| Peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, cabbage, standard tomatoes | 5 gallons |
| Summer squash | 10 gallons |
Bigger is easier to look after. Illinois Extension says larger containers need watering less often and that pot size is especially critical for vegetables. Texas A&M AgriLife says a 5-gallon container may work for a tomato, but a 15-gallon one means less watering. Illinois also warns that a pot far too big for its plant stays wet and risks root rot.
On a balcony, size has a cost, because wet mix is heavy. Read balcony weight limits before you fill several 5-gallon pots, and keep the largest against the wall. Fabric grow bags are sold by the gallon, which makes this table easy to follow; grow bags vs pots compares them with plastic.
Grow bags sized by the gallon
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Hours of sun for balcony vegetables
Sun hours decide which vegetables are worth the space. UMD says warm-season crops need 6 to 8 hours of direct sun, while cool-season crops such as lettuce, spinach and Asian greens need 3 to 5. Oregon State University Extension also puts fruiting crops such as tomatoes, beans and peppers at 6 to 8 hours.
| Direct sun on your balcony | Crops that fit |
|---|---|
| 6 to 8 hours | Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, cucumbers, squash |
| 3 to 5 hours | Lettuce, spinach, Asian greens |
| Under 2 hours | None productive, Iowa State Extension says |
Count your hours on a clear day in early summer. What to grow on a balcony explains how, and lists herbs and greens by hour.
Easy vegetables for a balcony
Easy balcony vegetables, on UMD’s list, include salad greens, peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, beans, chard, beets, radishes, squash, cucumbers and most herbs. UMD calls melons, corn, potatoes and sweet potatoes more challenging in containers.
Look for “bush” or “dwarf” on the plant label, as UMD suggests: compact varieties suit containers. Some crops have their own guides here: growing tomatoes in pots, herbs in pots and strawberries in pots.
Wind, tipping and the balcony below
Wind and height go together on a balcony. UMD warns that tall plants in light pots can tip over, and Illinois Extension says exposed balconies are prone to wind, so strap or anchor top-heavy plants. Put tall crops in wide pots against the wall.
UMD also says a saucer helps when you garden above a neighbor’s balcony. A self-watering container, which UMD describes as a reservoir under a perforated platform with an overflow hole, cuts down on daily watering and catches runoff; see self-watering planters.
Self-watering planters for vegetables
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Potting mix and water for vegetables
Potting mix for vegetables should be a soilless mix, not garden soil. UMD says good mixes have 50% to 80% pore space, advises against garden soil and sedge peat, and suggests moistening the mix until it is as damp as a wrung-out sponge before planting. Our guide to potting mix for containers covers what to look for on the bag.
Oregon State says daily watering is not unusual for containers. Feed with a fertilizer at the rate its label gives, and see watering a balcony garden for saucers and trips away.
Frequently asked questions
What size container do vegetables need?
It depends on the crop. University of Maryland Extension lists minimums of 1 pint for radishes, ½ gallon for leaf lettuce and beets, 2 gallons for bush beans, carrots and cherry tomatoes, 5 gallons for peppers, eggplant, cucumbers and standard tomatoes, and 10 gallons for summer squash.
How much sun do container vegetables need?
University of Maryland Extension says warm-season crops need 6 to 8 hours of direct sun, while cool-season crops such as lettuce, spinach and Asian greens need 3 to 5 hours.
What are the easiest vegetables to grow on a balcony?
University of Maryland Extension lists salad greens, peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, beans, chard, beets, radishes, squash, cucumbers and most herbs as easy in containers, and suggests bush or dwarf varieties.
Which vegetables are hard to grow in pots?
University of Maryland Extension calls melons, corn, potatoes and sweet potatoes challenging in containers.
Sources
- Growing Vegetables in Containers and Salad TablesUniversity of Maryland Extension
- No yard? Grow vegetables in containersOregon State University Extension Service
- Container SizeIllinois Extension
- Consider a container vegetable garden this fallTexas A&M AgriLife Today
- Growing Edible Plants in Shady AreasIowa State University Extension and Outreach
Filed under What to Grow on a Balcony: Plants by Sun, Shade and Wind.
