What to grow in 4" pots in the Container gardens group

Groups / Container gardens / What to grow in 4" pots

What to grow in 4" pots

SaraBClever
14 plants 6a

I have quite a few 4" terra cotta pots. I bought them to try to grow herbs last year (my first try); it didn’t go all that well and I ended up buying transplants. Anyway, this year I have plenty of large pots, but have these guys around and I am wondering what I can do with them. Are there little plants i can grow in them that won’t get too cramped in such a small pot?

I am mainly trying veggie gardening, but I know these usually require more space. I wouln’t mind some flowers or other plants that would work in this size; especially a plant that works well as a beneficial in a vegetable garden or that attracts beneficials, etc.

Thanks!

Sara

0 thumbs up!
Posted over 3 years ago
Katxena
Folia Helper

61 plants 7

I bet chervil would grow in pots that size. They aren’t large plants. I grew them last year, and they attracted parasitic wasps. They are also pretty and have cute flowers. Also, I think Johnny Jump Ups would look cute in a small pot, and you can eat the flowers in salad.
0 thumbs up!
Posted over 3 years ago
skyfiery

126 plants 14

Maybe the cosmos caudatus? You can use them in salads also and they have an unripe mango taste which is quite nice.
0 thumbs up!
Posted over 3 years ago
robfox_s15

2 plants 3a

im growing habanero peppers alpine strawberries and pepper plant ‘little blue’ all in 4 inch pots in my window, going well so far already had a few peppers to eat and one little strawberrie is just ripening
0 thumbs up!
Posted over 3 years ago
jackdaniel

0 plants 6b

I’m planting herbs in my 4 and 6 inch pots. Not much space for anything else, really. I think small pots dry out fast and cause plants to become root bound. They’re difficult to work with because there’s such a small margin of error.
0 thumbs up!
Posted about 3 years ago
hstupno

26 plants 5

‘Pistou’ basil is a compact variety that look like little boxwoods.
0 thumbs up!
Posted about 3 years ago
mcav0y

34 plants 4

I have planted trailing lobelia and put one pot on each step of my entryway. It makes a nice “waterfall” effect. jackdaniel is right about the watering issue.
0 thumbs up!
Posted about 3 years ago
greyslate

117 plants 7

I also concur with jackdaniel on the herb front for a number of reasons – many woody Mediterranean herbs tolerate drought conditions which is often what you’re dealing with with such small terracotta pots. I’ve had very good luck with thyme in a 4" pot for the summer, so long as I kept it in a spot where it didn’t get full midday sun (morning and afternoon light) and watered it daily. Thyme is not only great for use in the kitchen, but when it flowers it’s great at attracting pollinators! And there are so many different types of thyme to choose from, you could probably find a different type for every pot ;)

You will eventually need to pot up something like thyme, but small plants will do fine for a season (in most cases).
0 thumbs up!
Posted about 3 years ago
magnetha

31 plants 6a

I agree with Katxena, jackdaniel, hstupno, and greyslate who all suggested herbs. Thyme is especially good in pots, and as greyslate mentioned, there are many different types of thyme to choose from. I brought in one of my French Thyme plants in the fall, stuck it in a cheerful dollar store pot, and kept it on my kitchen counter where it gets indirect light and (occasionally) water whenever I happen to remember. I fully expected it to wither away, but it’s still going strong! I clip sprigs from it whenever I need thyme for a recipe. Fresh herbs make SUCH a difference when you’re cooking!

I also love the look of Wild Thyme spilling out of small pots. I started a bunch of Wild Thyme last year in peat pots, then transplanted them along the border in my garden. They quickly grew into a compact, lush green carpet spilling out onto the pea gravel walkway… really nice, and just the effect I wanted. This little guy (picture attached) was an extra transplant I didn’t have room for in the garden, so I potted him up just for fun…
0 thumbs up!
Posted about 3 years ago
greyslate

117 plants 7

Such a cute photo magnetha!!
0 thumbs up!
Posted about 3 years ago