Planter Boxes: Selecting the Best Plants for Success
Thinking about growing your own food but unsure where to start? Planter boxes make gardening possible for almost anyone. With just a bit of space and the proper setup, container gardening can deliver fresh produce outside your door.
You're not alone if you’ve hesitated to try gardening because it seems too complicated or risky. No one wants to invest time and money in something that might fail. That’s why we’ve assembled this guide. It helps you choose the best plants for planter boxes to start strong and grow confidently.
The plants listed here are reliable producers, well-suited to containers, and beginner-friendly. They’re the box planter staples that deliver repeatedly, even for first-time gardeners.
But before we discuss the best plants to grow, let’s take a quick look at why planter boxes are a great way to start gardening.
5 Reasons Why Planter Boxes Are a Smart Gardening Choice
Planter boxes are a solid choice for gardeners of all experience levels which is why so many people turn to them to enjoy the joys of gardening. They offer some serious advantages over traditional garden beds and pots. Here's what makes them so effective, especially for beginners looking to succeed immediately.
1. Better Soil Control
When you fill a planter box with high-quality potting soil, you give your plants a perfect foundation. You can run into compacted clay, sandy soil, or nutrient-depleted ground with garden soil. Potting mix/soil incorporates all the requirements for success, including good drainage, aeration, and root development. It is also free from common garden pests and diseases.
2. Improved Drainage
Traditional pots can have issues with poor drainage or drying out too fast. That's one of the issues with everyday terra cotta pots.
In contrast, a quality box planter manages moisture better and avoids problems caused by excess water or inconsistent watering. Some planters even incorporate drip irrigation or self-watering systems to reduce the need for frequent watering.
3. Space and Mobility
If you're gardening in small spaces, planter boxes are a game-changer. They're easy to move, unlike a raised garden bed. As a result, you can shift them to capture more sun or avoid frost.
Small pots can work for herbs and greens, but planter boxes allow for more planting depth and volume, ideal for shallow—and deeper-rooted crops.
4. Easier Maintenance and Access
You can elevate a box planter, resulting in less bending, fewer weeds, and better airflow around plants. This setup is far easier for anyone with mobility concerns to manage. Plus, nobody wants to spend time weeding a garden bed.
5. Cleaner and More Organized
With planter boxes the soil is contained in the container. That avoids the mess of working on open ground. No more muddy boots or trying to amend poor native soil—add plants, water, and go. With box planters, you take immediate steps to ensure gardening success.
What to Grow in a Box Planter: Best Plants by Category
Can you grow most anything in a planter box? Sure. But that doesn't necessarily mean you can successfully. Some plants thrive more in the controlled environment of a box planter.
The plants below offer the best chances for success in a planter box. We'll give you some valuable insights to increase your chances of success.
5 Top Vegetables for Planter Boxes
Vegetables are some of the most rewarding plants to grow in a box planter. They offer quick returns, steady harvests, and plenty of variety—even in limited space. The vegetables below are especially well-suited for container gardening. They’re compact, productive, and generally forgiving, making them ideal for beginners or anyone looking for reliable results.
1. Tomatoes
Tomatoes need full sun—6 to 8 hours daily—and warm temperatures (70–85°F). Choose determinate varieties for compact growth. Water deeply and consistently, especially during flowering and fruiting. Inconsistent moisture can cause blossom end rot (BER).
Spacing: One plant per container
Soil: Rich potting mix with added compost
Support: Cage or stake required
Read our tomato growing guide for more information.
2. Peppers
Peppers love heat and sunshine. Provide 6–8 hours of sun and steady temperatures above 70°F. Night temps below 60°F can slow growth. Water when the top inch of soil is dry, avoiding waterlogged conditions.
Spacing: One plant per 12–18" container
Soil: Light, fertile potting mix with good drainage
Check out our pepper growing guide.
3. Lettuce & Greens
These shallow-rooted crops prefer cool temperatures and partial sun—water consistently and harvest outer leaves as needed.
Spacing: 4–6 inches between plants
Soil: Moist, well-aerated potting mix
4. Cucumbers
Bush cucumber varieties are ideal for containers. They need 6–8 hours of sun and warm temperatures. Provide regular, deep watering.
Spacing: 1–2 plants per container with support
Soil: Loose, fertile, and rich in organic matter
Learn more by reading our cucumber growing guide.
5. Carrots & Radishes
Use a deep garden container and a potting mix designed for root crops. Sow directly into the container. Discover the best depth for a planter box.
Spacing: Thin to 1–2 inches apart after sprouting
Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist
5 Herbs That Thrive in Planter Boxes
Herbs are among the easiest and most rewarding plants to grow in a box planter. They don’t need much space, and many are perennial or fast-growing. They add a flavor boost to your meals.
These herbs grow well in containers and deliver fresh harvests with minimal effort. Learn more about growing herbs here.
1. Basil
It needs 6–8 hours of full sun and warm temperatures above 65°F. Keep the soil consistently moist. Pinch off the flowers to prevent bolting (when a plant produces a flower stalk and goes to seed).
2. Parsley
It grows well in cooler temperatures and partial sun. Water when the soil surface is dry. Flat-leaf parsley is best for cooking.
3. Cilantro
Plant in early spring or fall. Prefers 4–6 hours of sun. Replant every few weeks for a steady supply.
4. Chives
Hardy and low maintenance. Needs 4–6 hours of sun. Trim regularly for dense growth.
5. Oregano & Thyme
Full sun and dry conditions are ideal. Go easy on watering to prevent root rot.
Fruits You Can Grow in Containers
You don’t need a whole orchard—or even a backyard—to grow your fruit. Several compact fruit varieties are well-suited to container life and can produce delicious results in a box planter. These options are ideal for small spaces and provide a nice payoff with proper care.
1. Strawberries
Strawberries need full sun and consistent moisture. Perfect for window boxes and edge planting. Harvest when entirely red.
Spacing: 8–10 inches apart
2. Dwarf Blueberries
It requires an acidic potting mix (pH 4.5–5.5) and full sun. To retain moisture, keep the soil moist but well-drained, using mulch.
3. Bush Melons or Mini Watermelons
Choose container-friendly varieties. Need 8+ hours of sun and warm nights. Water deeply and often during fruit set.
Tip: Encourage pollination by growing near herbs or hand-pollinating indoors.
EarthBox - The Essential Key to Container Gardening Success
There you have it. The perfect plants to grow in containers for gardening success.
For an even better chance of success, pick up an EarthBox planting box. They're the top choice for container gardening enthusiasts. The planters include a self-watering feature to eliminate the guesswork of how much or how little water to give your plants.
You can also pick up a planter box kit that includes everything you need to start your container gardening journey. All you have to do is select your plants and add potting soil.