Urban gardening is on the rise, and many gardeners are finding creative ways to grow a productive garden in small spaces. One of the simplest and most cost-effective solutions for growing food or flowers in tight quarters is using five-gallon buckets. These containers are inexpensive, easy to move, and versatile. When filled with the right soil mix and provided proper care, buckets can support a wide range of plants throughout the growing season. Whether you’re working with a small patio, balcony, or backyard, this method opens the door to a thriving container garden.
This article explores the best plants to grow in buckets, offering tips on setup, maintenance, and maximizing yields from your portable garden.
Why Buckets Make Great Containers
Before diving into the best crops to grow, it’s worth understanding why buckets are such a solid choice for gardening.
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Cost-Effective: Five-gallon buckets are widely available at hardware stores, garden centers, or even as food-safe recycled containers from bakeries and restaurants.
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Space-Saving: Perfect for patios, rooftops, balconies, or lining walkways.
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Drainage Control: Drill holes in the bottom to manage water flow and reduce root rot risk.
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Mobility: Easily move plants to chase sunlight or avoid storms.
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Customization: Buckets can be painted or labeled to help organize your container garden.
Now, let’s look at the best plants to grow in buckets and how to get the most from each.
1. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are among the most popular and rewarding plants to grow in containers. Determinate or bush varieties are especially suited to buckets because they stay more compact.
Tips for Success:
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Use a 5-gallon bucket with drainage holes.
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Fill with a high-quality potting mix rich in organic matter.
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Add a tomato cage or stake early to support growth.
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Water consistently to avoid blossom-end rot.
Best Varieties:
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Patio Princess
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Roma
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Bush Early Girl
2. Peppers
Both sweet and hot peppers do very well in buckets. They need heat, sunlight, and regular feeding to produce flavorful fruit.
Tips for Success:
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Choose compact or dwarf varieties.
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Provide at least six hours of sunlight daily.
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Use a balanced fertilizer or compost tea during flowering.
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Mulch the top of the soil to retain moisture.
Best Varieties:
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Jalapeño
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Banana Pepper
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Bell Boy
3. Lettuce
Leafy greens like lettuce thrive in smaller containers and are quick to mature. Because they don’t need deep roots, even half-sized buckets can be used.
Tips for Success:
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Use shallow soil but keep it rich in compost.
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Plant multiple successions every two weeks for continuous harvests.
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Shade during hot summer afternoons to avoid bolting.
Best Varieties:
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Buttercrunch
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Red Sails
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Black Seeded Simpson
4. Radishes
Radishes are one of the fastest-growing vegetables and perfect for bucket gardening. They can be ready to harvest in as little as three weeks.
Tips for Success:
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Sow seeds directly into the soil.
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Keep soil evenly moist for uniform root development.
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Thin seedlings to avoid overcrowding.
Best Varieties:
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Cherry Belle
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French Breakfast
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White Icicle
5. Carrots
Deep-rooted crops like carrots need a deep, loose, stone-free medium. A tall bucket filled with well-draining soil works perfectly.
Tips for Success:
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Use a mix of compost, peat, and sand.
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Keep soil consistently moist.
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Thin seedlings early to avoid deformed roots.
Best Varieties:
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Danvers
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Scarlet Nantes
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Little Finger
6. Green Beans
Bush beans are well-suited to buckets, producing a generous harvest in a limited space. Pole beans can work too with added vertical support.
Tips for Success:
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Use a trellis for climbing varieties.
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Plant several seeds per bucket, spaced evenly.
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Fertilize after flowering begins to promote pod formation.
Best Varieties:
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Blue Lake Bush
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Contender
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Kentucky Wonder (with trellis)
7. Cucumbers
Bush cucumber types grow well in containers and provide crisp, fresh produce throughout the summer.
Tips for Success:
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Choose compact or patio-specific varieties.
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Provide a trellis or stake if needed.
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Keep soil consistently moist for best fruit quality.
Best Varieties:
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Spacemaster
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Bush Champion
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Patio Snacker
8. Herbs
Herbs are among the easiest plants to grow in buckets, and most require very little space or maintenance.
Tips for Success:
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Use smaller buckets for individual herbs or plant multiples in one.
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Keep in a sunny location with good airflow.
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Pinch and harvest regularly to encourage bushy growth.
Best Herbs:
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Basil
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Parsley
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Mint (best grown alone to prevent spreading)
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Thyme
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Cilantro
9. Spinach
Spinach thrives in cool weather and does well in containers due to its shallow roots. It's quick to harvest and provides a great yield per square foot.
Tips for Success:
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Sow seeds directly into the bucket.
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Harvest outer leaves continuously.
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Provide partial shade in warmer climates.
Best Varieties:
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Bloomsdale
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Space
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Tyee
10. Eggplant
Eggplants require warmth and sun, but they grow very well in large buckets. Their upright growth habit makes them ideal for small areas.
Tips for Success:
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Stake early to prevent falling over.
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Keep soil warm and well-fed with compost.
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Harvest regularly to promote continued production.
Best Varieties:
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Black Beauty
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Patio Baby
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Ichiban
11. Zucchini
Zucchini can be grown in buckets, though they do need room and support. One plant per bucket is usually enough for a steady supply.
Tips for Success:
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Select bush or compact types.
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Keep soil moist and fertile.
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Harvest young fruit to keep production going.
Best Varieties:
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Eight Ball
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Raven
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Bush Baby
12. Strawberries
Strawberries in buckets are perfect for patios or hanging setups. They produce sweet berries in small spaces when properly maintained.
Tips for Success:
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Use vertical growing systems if space is limited.
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Provide full sun.
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Protect from birds and pests with netting or covers.
Best Varieties:
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Seascape
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Albion
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Everbearing
Bucket Gardening Tips for Maximum Success
While choosing the right plants is key, a few extra pointers can make the difference between average and outstanding yields.
1. Drainage Matters
Always drill drainage holes in the bottom of your buckets. Place gravel or mesh at the bottom before adding soil to improve water flow and avoid soggy roots.
2. Choose the Right Soil Mix
Use a lightweight potting mix with plenty of organic matter. Avoid garden soil, which is too heavy for buckets and may compact over time.
3. Fertilize Regularly
Because nutrients are used up quickly in containers, regular feeding is essential. Use liquid fertilizers or topdress with compost every few weeks.
4. Water Consistently
Buckets dry out faster than garden beds. Water deeply and consistently, especially during hot weather. Self-watering systems or drip irrigation can help.
5. Sunlight Is Key
Most vegetables and herbs need at least 6–8 hours of sun per day. Monitor your bucket placement and adjust as needed to ensure enough light.
6. Rotate and Refresh
Each season, rotate crops and refresh the soil. Add compost or completely replace the potting mix every year to avoid disease build-up.
Conclusion
Growing food at home doesn’t require acres of land or raised beds. With a few five-gallon buckets, some good soil, and proper care, you can enjoy fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs straight from your porch or balcony. From tomatoes and peppers to greens and herbs, the best plants to grow in buckets offer a diverse and rewarding experience. Bucket gardening allows you to maximize small spaces while staying in control of pests, soil, and moisture—leading to healthier plants and bigger harvests.
So grab a few containers, pick your favorite varieties, and start planting. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener, bucket gardening is a satisfying and productive way to grow.