10 Top Plants for Small Spaces That Will Make Your Garden Flourish

 Don’t let a small outdoor space hold you back from realizing your gardening dreams. Whether you’d like to grow your own produce or adorn your small garden with vibrant flower beds or hanging baskets, our how-to guide will help you turn your space into a green oasis.

5 Tips for Making a Small Garden Flourish

Planting in a small garden can present a challenge but the results can also be very rewarding. Before we explore some planting ideas, firstly, it’s important to know what looks good in a smaller outdoor space. You won’t be able to plant large flowering shrubs or dig sprawling ponds. But you can find innovative ways to enhance small garden planting ideas. Choose from an array of colorful blooms to homegrown vegetables by following these useful tips:

Plant Small Vegetable Gardens

Planting in a small garden does not mean you won’t be able to grow your own wholesome vegetables. Consider compact varieties of vegetables such as:

Cherry tomatoes
Baby carrots
Dwarf beans

These veggies not only fit well into limited spaces but also offer a bountiful harvest. We’ll cover more vegetable varieties further on in this article.

Use Window Boxes

Install window boxes on your outside window sills or along balcony railings to add color and greenery. There is a huge variety of plants for small spaces that grow successfully in window boxes. A great advantage too is that it is easy to change planting schemes to suit the changing seasons. 

Consider adding some permanent greenery too. Small leaf ivy is a good choice if kept in check, along with box (buxus), that can be clipped into neat shapes.

For summer, plant cascading flowers like petunias or trailing herbs such as thyme to create a colorful display that doesn’t take up precious ground space. In addition, try growing upright or trailing geranium pelargoniums for summer long floral color.

In autumn and winter, planted cyclamen, winter pansies or chrysanthemums will provide welcomed color and interest. Try planting alongside ornamental cabbage for structure and contrast. 

 Spring flowering bulbs that were previously planted in autumn, will put on an early season floral display that can work really well against a backdrop of box or small leaf ivy. Bulbs can be left in situ to flower the following spring, or removed and stored to be replanted in autumn.

Whatever you plant, be sure to water properly, and apply plant fertilizer as required according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  Most importantly, deadhead spent flowers to prolong flowering and keep plants well pruned to prevent overcrowding and the risk of fungal diseases developing. Also keep a look out for harmful insects such as greenfly or whitefly etc, along with slugs, that can quickly devastate a small area. For any infestations, treat with appropriate insecticides or neem oil.

By choosing suitable plants for small gardens, and applying a little imagination, these small garden planting ideas can easily reward you with your own small oasis.

Make Your Own Raised Bed

Construct a raised bed using wood or recycled materials to elevate planting in a small garden. This allows for better soil drainage and easier maintenance. It should also enable you to better control the soil quality. The advantage here is you can also fill with soil more specific for certain plants such as acid or alkaline loving plants. 

A raised bed will allow for a greater array of planting as there is usually more scope for root development.  However, bear in mind that larger shrubs or plants etc can soon fill up the entire space.

 Fill the raised bed with a mixture of herbs,  compact flowers, small shrubs or bulbs for a beautiful and functional garden feature.

 When thinking of plants for small spaces, consider small shrubs with all year round interest. A good example is the evergreen Skimmia japonica reevesiana which  flowers in the spring and produces red berries in autumn and winter time.

Create a Living Wall

Install a vertical garden on a wall or fence using modular planting systems or hanging pockets. Fill them with anything from succulents, ferns, or small flowering annuals to add visual interest and maximize your vertical space.
Vertical walls are a great choice for both outdoor gardens and indoor garden rooms.

Try Container Gardening

Try using pots and planters or hanging baskets (if you don’t have much room) to grow a diverse range of plants in your small garden. Choose compact varieties like ornamentals or herbs, and arrange them creatively to add color and texture to your outdoor space.

Generally, what you plant in window boxes can also be grown in pots and planters applying the same care and maintenance of watering, feeding and pruning. As well as plants, choose beautiful pots as these, alone, can be a feature in small spaces.

10 Plant Ideas for Small Spaces

Ready to get planting? No matter how small your outdoor space is, here are six plants that will thrive: 

1. Herbs like basil, parsley, chives, and mint are perfect for small spaces. They can be grown in pots on windowsills, balconies, or even in hanging baskets. Not only do they add flavor to your cooking, but they also provide greenery and fragrance to your space.

2. Succulents are low-maintenance plants that come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. They’re ideal for small spaces because they can thrive in containers and require minimal watering. Place them on shelves, desks, or windowsills to add a touch of green to any room.

3. Ferns are excellent choices for small spaces because they thrive in low light and high humidity. They’re perfect for bathrooms or other areas with limited natural light. Hang them in baskets or place them on shelves to add texture and visual interest to your space.

4. Spider plants are known for their air-purifying properties and easy care requirements. They produce long, trailing leaves that add a decorative touch to any space. Hang them in macrame plant hangers or place on shelves to make the most of your vertical space.

5. Peace lilies are compact plants that produce elegant white flowers and glossy green leaves. They thrive in low-light conditions and are excellent air purifiers. Place them on tabletops or shelves to add beauty and freshness to your small space.

6. Bamboo is a fast-growing plant that can thrive in containers indoors or in small outdoor spaces. It adds a touch of zen to any environment with its graceful stems and lush foliage. Keep it pruned to control its size and shape and ensure to keep the roots contained to prevent it overtaking a small area. 

7. Dwarf sunflower varieties, such as Sunspot or Little Becka, are perfect for small spaces. They produce cheerful blooms on compact stems, adding a splash of color and a touch of sunshine to your garden. Grow them in containers or small garden beds for a delightful display.

8. Dwarf Marigolds are easy-to-grow annuals that come in compact varieties suitable for small gardens. Look for dwarf or French marigold varieties, such as Disco Dwarf or Petite Mix, which produce vibrant flowers in shades of orange, yellow, and red. Plant them in borders, containers, or along pathways for a burst of color.

9. Dwarf Dahlia offers stunning blooms on shorter stems, making them ideal for small gardens. These vibrant flowers come in a variety of colors and add a touch of elegance to any space. Grow them in containers or small garden beds for a stunning floral display.

10. Compact Roses are perfect for small gardens. Look for miniature roses or patio roses, such as Baby Love or Sweet Sunblaze, which produce beautiful blooms on compact bushes. Plant them in containers or small garden beds for a romantic and fragrant addition to your garden.

Small Garden Planting Ideas for Vegetables

If you’re dreaming of growing your own produce but feel held back by your lack of space, you don’t need to. It is possible to cultivate a full vegetable garden with limited space, especially if you pick produce that is happy in containers.

Tomatoes
Opt for determinate tomato varieties, which are more compact and bushy compared to indeterminate types. Cherry tomatoes, patio tomatoes, or dwarf varieties like Tiny Tim are perfect for small gardens. Grow them in containers and hanging baskets or even along trellises to save space.

Lettuce
Lettuce is a quick-growing crop that doesn’t take up much room. You can continuously harvest by picking outer leaves. Choose loose-leaf or butterhead varieties for smaller gardens, and grow them in containers, raised beds, or even in vertical planters for a steady supply of fresh greens.

Peppers
Peppers come in many sizes and colors and are well-suited to container gardening. Choose compact pepper varieties like mini bell peppers or chilli peppers for an extra kick. Peppers are best suited to raised beds so they can get plenty of sunlight and a consistent amount of water.

Radishes
Radishes are fast-growing root vegetables that are perfect for small gardens. They can be grown in containers or directly in the ground, and they’re ready to harvest in just a few weeks. Choose smaller varieties like French Breakfast or Cherry Belle for compact spaces.

Green Beans
Bush beans are ideal for smaller outdoor spaces because they grow in a compact, bushy habit without the need for support. Choose Provider or Bush Blue Lake varieties that produce high yields. Grow them in containers and raised beds, or along the edges of garden beds.

Scallions
Scallions, also known as green onions or spring onions, are easy to grow in small spaces and provide a mild onion flavor to dishes. Plant them in containers or small garden beds, and harvest them as needed by cutting the green tops.

Spinach

Spinach is a nutrient-rich leafy green that grows well in containers or small garden beds. Choose compact varieties like Baby Spinach or Space Hybrid Spinach, which you can harvest as baby leaves for salads or allow to mature for cooking.

Cucumbers

Look for bush cucumbers like Bush Slicer or Bush Champion, which take up less space and don’t require lots of trellising. Grow them in containers with a trellis for support, or allow them to sprawl in a compact area of the garden.

Carrots

Carrots grow well in containers or raised beds, making them great for small gardens. Choose shorter varieties like Paris Market or Thumbelina, which are ideal for growing in shallow soil or compact areas.

Zucchini
While the plants of zucchini, sometimes referred to as courgettes, can be large, there are smaller varieties available, like the Patio Star or Bush Baby. Grow them in containers or raised beds with ample sunlight and regular watering. Note, the flower petals of zucchinis are edible and can be eaten either raw or lightly cooked. However, be sure to remove the bitter tasting stem and and centre of the flower before consuming.

Kale

Kale is a nutritious leaf that can be grown in small spaces throughout the year. Choose compact varieties like Dwarf Blue Curled or Lacinato (also known as Dinosaur Kale) for their smaller size. You can also harvest dinosaur kale regularly.

Final Thoughts

With these fantastic plant suggestions and handy gardening advice, you can turn even the smallest outdoor area into a vibrant and flourishing sanctuary. Don’t let a lack of space deter you from experiencing the many benefits of gardening.
Whether you’re dreaming of owning a crop of veggies or a stunning array of blooms, you’ve got plenty of choices for designing your small garden. We recommend opting for smaller plant varieties and taking advantage of your vertical space, like a garden wall or trellis.

Thinking outside the box with containers and raised beds, will enable you to maximize every bit of your available garden space.

With some thoughtful planning and nurturing, you can establish a charming and fruitful outdoor area that becomes an extension of your home. So get ready to dive in, grab your gardening gear, and start working on your small garden this spring.