Small pot gardening, or container gardening, involves cultivating plants entirely within confined, portable vessels. This method has surged in popularity because it makes gardening accessible in urban environments, particularly for apartment dwellers, those with small patios, or people who wish to add greenery to a desk or windowsill.
The practice allows a gardener to control the soil mix and environment completely, which is especially useful when native soil is poor or space is severely restricted. Container gardening also offers unparalleled flexibility, enabling plants to be easily moved to follow optimal light conditions or to be brought indoors during unfavorable weather.
Best Plants for Limited Container Space
Plants that thrive in small pots either possess naturally compact root systems or tolerate root confinement well. Dwarf varieties are excellent choices, as they have been specifically bred or grafted onto rootstock to limit their overall growth size. Dwarf citrus, such as the ‘Improved Meyer’ Lemon or ‘Calamondin’ orange, use dwarfing rootstocks like ‘Flying Dragon’ to maintain a manageable size of two to eight feet while still producing full-sized fruit. These grafted trees require a wide container rather than a deep one to accommodate their shallow root system.
Miniature herbs are ideally suited for small pots because their root systems are naturally shallow, often requiring a depth of only four to seven inches. Compact basil varieties like ‘Dwarf Greek’ or ‘Spicy Globe’ are perfect for this setting, as are clump-forming herbs like Chives and Thyme. Confining the roots of aggressive spreaders, such as mint, to a pot is also a smart way to prevent them from taking over a mixed garden bed.
Succulents and cacti are content in small pots due to their adaptation to arid, nutrient-poor conditions. Species like Haworthia fasciata (Zebra Plant) and small Echeveria cultivars are slow-growing and have compact root systems that flourish in snug conditions. Small foliage plants like the Nerve Plant (Fittonia albivenis) also maintain a compact habit and possess shallow roots, making them ideal for small desktop planters.
Choosing the Right Small Pot
The vessel itself plays a significant role in the success of small pot gardening, starting with the requirement for drainage holes to prevent water stagnation and root rot. The pot material dramatically influences moisture retention and the required watering frequency. Porous terracotta pots wick moisture away from the soil and allow for superior air exchange, which is beneficial for succulents and other plants that prefer their soil to dry out quickly.
Non-porous materials, such as plastic or glazed ceramic, prevent water from evaporating through the sides of the container, retaining moisture for a longer period. These are better suited for moisture-loving plants like the Nerve Plant or miniature ferns.
Choosing the correct pot size relative to the plant is also important, especially for young plants. Starting a small plant in a pot that is too large means the excess, uncolonized soil remains saturated after watering, creating anaerobic conditions that suffocate the roots. To prevent this issue, select a container that is only one to two inches larger in diameter than the plant’s current root ball. This approach ensures the roots quickly fill the container, promoting a healthy cycle of wetness and dryness that delivers oxygen to the root zone.
Specialized Watering and Feeding Techniques
The limited soil volume in small pots necessitates a different approach to watering and feeding compared to larger containers or in-ground gardening. Small pots dry out rapidly because they have less soil mass to hold water, often requiring daily checks, particularly in warm or windy conditions.
The preferred method for ensuring deep and complete saturation is bottom watering, where the pot is placed in a basin of water for 15 to 60 minutes. Bottom watering allows the soil to absorb moisture evenly via capillary action through the drainage holes, preventing water channeling down the sides of the pot and leaving the center dry. This technique also encourages the roots to grow downward, creating a more robust root system.
However, bottom-watered plants should be flushed with a top watering every few months to dissolve and wash away the mineral and fertilizer salts that accumulate on the soil surface. Plants in small containers are susceptible to nutrient depletion because dissolved nutrients are easily leached out of the soil every time the plant is watered.
To combat this, a consistent application of a diluted, water-soluble fertilizer is recommended. Feeding little and often, such as using a water-soluble formula mixed at half or quarter strength with every watering, ensures a continuous supply of nutrients. This frequency is more effective than infrequent, full-strength doses, which can cause chemical burn to the root tips.