Small pots are great for growing certain types of plants indoors. Interestingly, my favorite small pots since I fell in love with growing houseplants are the TOUCH MISS succulent pots and the LA JOLIE Plant Pot (Pack 2). (on Amazon)
There are lots of plants that you can grow in small pots and the good news is most of them are easy to maintain. You can find lots of information online about the best plants for small pots and how to care for them properly.
If you are starting a new herb garden or vegetable garden, you will probably have to buy some seeds or starter plants to get started.
Here are 15 plants to grow in small pots:
1. ZZ Plant
ZZ Plant Live Plant With Self-Watering Pot & Handmade Stand
- Self-watering pot 6″
- Handmade Pinewood stand from White Oak
- ZZ live plant – 12″ plant
These plants do well in small posts, as they require less water than a lot of other plants. So even if you don’t water them regularly, ZZ plant will continue to thrive in bright, indirect light.
2. Coffee Plant
Six Arabica Coffee Bean Plants in a 4″ Pot, 6″ Live Well-Rooted Coffee Plants
- Well-rooted indoor plants
- Water adequately
- Beautiful and firm
Coffee plants are beautiful and easy to maintain. You’ll see the leaves get droopy when they get too dry, which makes them perfect for small pots.
3. Red Aglaonema
Costa Farms Aglaonema Red Chinese Evergreen Live Indoor Plant, 14-Inches Tall, Ships in Grower’s Pot
- Sturdy plant that’s easy to grow
- Water when soil is dry
- Best plants for beginners
With pretty, bright pink stems and leaves, Red Aglaonema are exciting indoor plants that suits small posts. They’re easy to care for, and prefers medium light.
4. Rubber Plant
Channel indirect and bright light to any Rubber plant and enjoy a pretty amazing plant indoors. Whether it’s a small pot or a large one, you’re in good hands.
5. String of Pearls
‘String of Pearls’ Succulent/4″ Pot/Live Home and Garden Plant
Unique indoor plant for the family
String of Pearls succulent in 4″ pot
Free care guide included
String of pearls is a scented and amazing cascading succulent that flourish is small and well-drained pots. You’ll need it if you want to add a little quirk to your indoor. It grows fast and you can easily propagate it. It’s great for both indoor and outdoor gardening.
6. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a well-known succulent plant specie. It belongs to the genus Aloe. This plant doesn’t have stems or you may notice very short stems characterized by thick, greenish, and fleshy leaves. Aloe vera grows well in small pots, and doesn’t require a lot of care to flourish.
7. Anthurium
Anthurium Easy Care Live Plants, 5” Diameter, Red
- Low maintenance house plant
- Great gift for all occasions
- Beautiful choice for plant decor
Anthurium are fabulous plants that grows well indoors in small pots. This plant specie produces new flowers and blooms throughout the year. Use pot that’s free draining but can hold some water.
8. Baby Toes
Baby toes plants (also known as Fenestraria rhopalophylla) can thrive in well-drained pots with gritty matter. You need to supply adequate bright light and moderate water to ensure this perennial succulents produces thick leaves that sprouts like small toes with flattened tops.
9. Chinese Money Plant
Raindrop Chinese Money Plant (Peperomia polybotrya) Live Plant and Pot
- It’s very easy to grow
- Prefers bright, indirect light
- Water when dry
Chinese Money Plant (also known as Pilea Peperomioides) is a beautiful greenish plant that’s loved by so many people. You can identify it by the flat, round leaves. It comes with green pancakes, hence it’s nicknamed the pancake plant. You can grow it in a small or mid-sized pot.
10. Jade Plant
Jade Plant (live Plant) American Plant Exchange 6″ Pot
- Succulents purify the air
- Low maintenance and greatly potted
- Requires low water and care
Jade plants are pretty popular succulent plants for indoor purposes. But they can also do well when grown outdoors. They grow and flourish in small pots and they require adequate watering.
11. Kalanchoe
Costa Farms Live Kalanchoe Outdoor Plant, Grower’s Choice
- Long-lasting and holds color for weeks
- Blooms in pots and planters
- Full or partial sun
Kalanchoe plants are fleshy succulents with protruding leaves and stems, which are used to store water. These plants don’t need regular watering but just enough to keep them blooming and producing beautiful scented flowers.
12. Oxalis
Oxalis belongs to the genus of flowering plants that has well over 550 species. They originate from the tropical climates of South Asia. They’re also called Wood Sorrels, and loves small well-drained pots.
13. Lucky Bamboo
Brussel’s Live Lucky Pyramid Bamboo with Decorative Container
- Bring good luck into your home or office
- It performs best indoors
- Grown in greenhouse to ensure maximum health
Lucky bamboo are primarily houseplant that cleans the air. They also increase Feng shui, and this plant can flourish indoors since it doesn’t require full or direct sunlight to grow. It can tolerate partial like and indirect sunlight — which makes them perfect for growing in pots.
14. Peace Lily
Peace lily plant can be grown in small pots. It requires a temperate of more than 60 degree Fahrenheit to flourish since they’re tropical plants. They don’t like too much cold and drafty windows. Avoid direct afternoon sunlight, but keep the pots in a bright and well-lit area.
15. Polka Dot Plant
Polka Dot plants are brightly colored houseplants with colorful and pleasing foliar displays. Yes, you can grow them in small pots. They’re also referred to as Freckle face plant, and can grow well in any type of indirect light but produces the best colors when there’s lower light.
Additional Plants That Flourish in Small Pots
#1. Pothos
Pothos Golden (live plant) in 4-inch Grower Pot
- Beautiful and easy to care for
- Live plant 4″ Pothos Golden
- Water to keep the soil damp
- Bright indirect sunlight
Pothos are a specie of easy-to-grow plants that enjoy a wide range of environments. They prefer indirect light and can also grow well in low light. If you have vases of water or well-drained pots, they’ll appreciate it and produce bountifully.
#2. Snake Plant
Snake Plant (Live Plant) American Plant Exchange
- Low maintenance
- Little watering required
- Elegant green and black sword-like leaves
There are more than 700 species of snake plants (also referred to as mother-in-law’s tongue). Snake plant is hardy and blooms indoors, producing the most healthy stiff leaves that grows up to 8 feet tall.
Choose Hardy Plants for Pots
It’s a good idea to buy plants that are hardy, but it doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune. Most plants in small pots will do well in most kinds of conditions.
It is important to buy plants that don’t require a lot of attention and are hardy. In addition to the plants listed above, you can as well grow these ones in small pots:
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Herbs
- Strawberries
- Peppers
The best way to choose a plant is to look at the size of the pot and the size of the area it is going to be in. Some plants, like cacti, need to have the soil very dry while others, like Java fern, prefer a moist environment.
You don’t have to use seeds or starter plants as they will usually survive just fine on their own. If you want to grow plants from scratch, however, it is important to choose hearty plants that can handle low light and limited space.
Growing Perennial Herbs in Small Pots
Some of the best plants for small pots are hearty perennial herbs like:
- Basil
- Chives
- Oregano
They can fill in holes and gaps in your yard very easily, but they also tolerate shade and some drought.
Sunflowers
Pots of sunflowers are very popular and there are many varieties to choose from. Choose those with attractive leaves and dark green foliage as they can handle low light conditions.
Plants for small pots are perfect for areas of the country that are prone to heat and dry spells.
Some of the best choices of flowers include hydrangeas, tulips and daffodils. Aquatic perennials like water lilies are very hardy and also disease resistant.
You should be careful about how you prune your plants. You should only prune diseased or damaged leaves to remove the disease. Don’t prune healthy leaves as this will make them brittle and easily damaged.
Pots of plants for small pots can become very cluttered so it’s important to ensure you give each plant a reasonable amount of room. You should make sure all roots get enough sunlight and water so that they can grow strong.
Your plants will appreciate the extra care you give them and you’ll find that they will reward you with blooming beauty throughout the season.
If you’re growing a variety of plants for small pots, you may find that you have too many different types to cater for at once. It’s always a good idea to try to introduce one new plant at a time so that your garden grows naturally.
Always remember to give each plant plenty of room and provide a good drainage system to keep your plants healthy.
Do plants grow well in small pots?
Yes, plants grow and bloom in small pots that are well draining and conducive for plants. Adequate sunlight and shade should be provided — and sometimes, the plants should be repotted to a more conducive environment where they can flourish better.
The truth is that when you are considering a plant for a particular location, it is important to know where it will be placed and how much it will have to endure.
When deciding on growing a particular plant, it’s important to know where it will be placed and how much it will have to endure.
You should also consider the surrounding conditions and what types of growing conditions are best for that particular plant.
It has often been said that certain plants will grow better in certain pot sizes. For example, if you are growing a plant that will be planted in a window, then make sure that the pot you select is large enough to accommodate the plant.
If you are going to plant a climbing vine or one that is taller than your window sill, you should select a pot that is the same size or larger.
So whether a plant will grow well in small pots is largely depends upon the type of plant. Some varieties require more water than others. Additionally, some varieties of annuals will not grow well if the soil is too dry. Check with the plant nursery you plan to purchase the plant from to find out which varieties of plants they recommend.
The time of year that you will be growing the plant can affect how it will do in your home as well. For example, a plant that is grown in the summer will need more water than one that is grown in the winter.
Knowing how the plant will be exposed to light, whether it will grow during the full-daylight hours or only partially and knowing if it has to go through a cold frost or not can help you choose the proper size of small pots for your needs.
When growing plants in small pots, it is necessary to ensure that the soil is well-drained. If the soil is not well-drained, it will retain too much water, which will cause the roots to become too compacted.
Also, the roots may have difficulty escaping the pot due to lack of space. If the roots are not able to escape the pot, the plant will become root-bound and remain in the pot, eventually causing the plant to wilt. Plants that are in good soil with good drainage will thrive in small pots.
Taking care of a plant includes:
- Ensuring that the soil is properly dosed.
- Making sure the plant is receiving the right amount of water.
- Providing it with the nutrients it requires to grow.
How to water plants in pots
Watering your plants in pots can be tricky if you are not sure what you are doing or you do not have a lot of experience. There are different methods and techniques used to help your plants grow properly, some work better than others.
I will take you through my basic guidelines on how to water plants in pots properly.
If you do not have a large garden or are new to herb gardening, you should start off with small containers. You can purchase plastic containers at your local nursery store or online.
Make sure you buy ones that are labeled for herb gardening. These will give you the most control over watering as well as being cheaper than buying a larger container.
You will want to start watering your plants about once a week, but you may not notice any change in the growth of your plants until you get to about two weeks on a watering schedule.
One of the main mistakes beginners make is watering their plants too often. This is usually followed by a lack of water as soon as the plant needs it.
If you are just starting out, I recommend keeping a water log. Record how much water you are using, and when. This will help you see if you are watering your plants too much or not enough.
When Should You Water Your Potted Plants?
Your next step will be to decide on a regular watering time. I would suggest having a timer that you can adjust on your sprinkler head to allow for drying time between watering.
If you live in a dry area, this may not be necessary, but if you live in a humid area, you should consider having a way to compensate for the humidity.
You can buy a humidity meter, or find a table that will adjust to the humidity level in your area. Just make sure to turn it once every month to allow for normal droughts.
How to water plants in pots is partially based on the size of the pot, and the size of the plant. For example, if your plants grow big, they will need more water. It does not matter if the pot is small or large, you just have to adjust the amount of water you are giving them.
If you are giving plants that grow bigger leaves, be sure you are giving them enough water to completely dry out. It is important to remember that your plants will also absorb some of the water from the soil, so it may take watering more than you think.
How to water plants in pots can be a little tricky, but with some help, you should be able to follow the directions exactly. If you are having problems, there are several books available for purchase.
These books usually contain the basics and sometimes add some extra information. Make sure you are purchasing a book that is specific for the type of plant you are growing, so that you don’t waste water or fertilizer.
Do you prune plants in pots?
Yes, you should prune plants in pots to extend their lifespan and cause them to flourish. Pruning is important, especially if you’re cutting off dead leaves, dead stems and branches, and creating more space for the healthy plants to spread.
If you are not sure what I’m talking about, let me explain. When most people prune their plants in pots, they use their fingernails to do the job. I know that this is how most gardeners learn to do it, but if you learn how to do this the right way, it is a lot easier.
Besides, it will also make your plants healthier and safer for you, the gardener.
The main reason that people have trouble pruning their plants in pots is because they don’t know how to get started. The first step is to get started properly.
Start by removing all of the dead and decaying leaves on your plantings. You can do this by picking them up with your hand or a spade. Be careful not to get the leaves stuck in your pruning tools. After you have removed all the leaves, you can then move on to pruning those that are above the ground.
This next step is a little more difficult than the first but, if you remember what I wrote about loosening up the soil, it should go by itself. Basically what you want to do is get all of the excess soil off of the plant so that it can’t hold water and nutrients.
Once you have done this, take a sharp knife and cut down all of the high points on the stem. Also, if you are going to do this, be sure to get rid of the lower nodes that may have already developed.
Now that you have all of the cuttings taken care of, you need to get started actually pruning your plants. You should always start from the bottom and work your way up. That way, the chances of having to cut back a big leaf are much less.
However, if you want to cut back the entire plant, that is up to you.
After you have successfully managed to get most of the dirt out of the pot, the last thing that you need to do is put some sand in the bottom and sprinkle some fertilizer.
Fertilizer will help to make it easier for the roots to grow. When you get to the top, just remove the clumps of soil and your are ready to enjoy those new blooms.
If you find that the soil is still too loose, then you can add some water and then let it set overnight.
Then, you can move on to watering your plants. Be sure to check the soil at least twice a week, especially during the hotter months of the year.
Hopefully this article has given you some valuable answers to the question, “Do you prune plants in pots?”
Now that you know how to get the most from your plants, you will be able to make them last longer and perform better.
Just remember that there are a few other steps that you will need to take, but those will mostly be for maintenance.
Conclusion
There are so many annual and perennial plants to grow in small pots. It’s not so much about taking care of potted plants, but understanding their characteristics and their impacts on humans and pets.