Grow More in One Pot: Succession Planting for Container Gardens

Did you know that you don’t have to limit yourself to only one crop or one harvest when you garden in containers? Make the most of the space you have and use succession planting in your containers all season long.

Container gardening is the perfect way to take advantage of available space. You can grow vegetables, flowers, and herbs in pots that can be placed in areas where you otherwise wouldn’t be able to garden. For those of you living in patio homes or in areas where you can’t have an in-ground garden, containers are ideal. 

When you don’t have a lot of room, succession planting is even more important. With simple planning, you can rotate crops throughout the year to make the most of your container garden.

Once you know what and when to plant, you’ll always have something to harvest. You won’t be staring at a slowly dying pea vine, wondering what else you could grow. 

Succession planting in containers allows you to grow cool-season crops early, transition to heat-loving vegetables in summer, and finish the season strong with fall greens and roots. Think of each container as valuable real estate that can work for you from early spring through fall.

The key is choosing crops with short maturity times, compatible root depths, and similar nutrient needs for each stage of the season.

• Peas – Grow vertically with a small trellis; shallow roots make them ideal for early-season container gardening. Sugar Ann Dwarf pea is an excellent variety for containers.

• Kohlrabi – Fast-maturing and compact, perfect for medium-sized pots. For extra color in a container, try Purple Vienna Kohlrabi.

• Bok choy – Thrives in cool weather and matures quickly before bolting. Baby Bok Choy will give you a quick harvest.

• Bunching onions – Shallow-rooted and flexible; can be harvested young or left longer. A long-time favorite is Heshiko Bunching onions.

• Radishes – Perfect gap-filler crop; ready in as little as 25–35 days. Plant Easter Egg Mix radishes for a quick ego-boosting harvest. 

• Cilantro – Performs best in cool weather and bolts quickly in heat. You can let cilantro go to seed for flavorful coriander.

Minimum container depth: 8–12 inches

Harvest these crops once they reach usable size rather than waiting too long. Early removal makes room for the next planting. This part is always hard for me. I want to squeeze in a few more harvests, but I’ve learned that when you see production decline, it’s time to get the next plant in.

1. Remove remaining roots and plant debris.

2. Loosen soil gently to restore airflow.

3. Add compost or worm castings to replenish nutrients.

4. Mix in a balanced organic fertilizer if needed.

In most cases, container soil can be reused for several successions as long as nutrients are replenished.

When you take out the old plants, you’ll see whether your container choice is working for your situation. Is it draining well? Drying out too fast? Is it cracked or broken?

Choosing the correct container is critical for successful succession planting. The types of gardening containers you choose will affect soil temperature, moisture retention, and root development. So much will depend on the time of year, your climate, and the soil.

Understanding the pros and cons of each container—from grow bags to ceramic and plastic pots—helps ensure each crop thrives as seasons change.

I’ve found that the location of my containers makes a huge difference in what type of pot works best. For areas with lots of afternoon sun, I use larger containers. Small containers dry out too quickly, and the plants get stressed. But in areas with lots of shade, I can grow peppers and basil in smaller containers. With smaller pots, I only have one plant per pot.

• Tomatoes – One plant per container; choose determinate or compact indeterminate varieties. Tiny Tim is a great option for container gardening. The plant stays small while producing an abundance of tomatoes.

• Peppers – Excellent container performers with moderate root systems. You can grow both sweet and hot peppers in containers. I’ve had great success with Bird Seed Thai peppers even in small containers. They just need to be watered often when it gets hot. 

• Eggplants – Heat-loving and productive in deep pots. One of our favorites for containers is the white Casper variety. Harvest them young for a tender, bitterless eggplant.

• Cucumbers – Best grown vertically with strong support. Spacemaster cucumbers are perfect for container gardening.

• Bush Beans – Easy to grow from seed, and are very prolific. Grow Chiba Green soybeans for fresh edamame. 

Minimum container depth: 12–18 inches

Summer crops should be transplanted only after the soil has warmed up and nighttime temperatures are consistently mild.

It’s critical to keep an eye on watering during the hottest months. When the plants are fruiting, they need a lot of water. 

As summer crops slow down or are removed, containers can be replanted with cool-season vegetables that tolerate shorter days and cooler temperatures.

Again, this transition can be tough sometimes. It’s hard to pull out a plant that seems to be still producing. But the cool weather can slow down cucumbers and tomatoes. So at this point, you’re really better off switching to your cool-season crops.

• Lettuce – Ideal for wide containers and quick harvests. Plant Heirloom Blend for a variety of colors and flavors.

• Swiss chard – Cold-hardy and productive well into fall. The Rainbow Swiss chard will give you a colorful container.

• Carrots – Choose shorter varieties and use containers with deep, loose soil. For a sweet, reliable performer, try Kuroda carrots. 

• Arugula – Fast to mature and tolerant of cooler temperatures.

• Beets (short or round varieties) – Dual-purpose crop for roots and greens.

• Cilantro – Performs well again once temperatures cool.

Fall succession planting allows gardeners to keep harvesting even as outdoor beds wind down. Lots of leafy greens do well at this time of year. Kale, mustard greens, and Tat Soi are some of the most popular. 

• Cilantro – Early spring and fall crop.

• Basil – Replace spring greens once the weather warms. Thai basil and Greek basil both do really well in containers. 

• Parsley – A cool-weather herb that can be grown in spring and fall.

• Dill – Annual herb that can be used both fresh and dried. For containers, grow Compact dill.

• Chives – Perennial-style herb that can remain all season

• Oregano – Best grown in its own semi-permanent container

• Mint – All herbs in the mint family can spread

• Thyme – Stays compact and grows for years

Understanding which herbs bolt, spread, or stay compact helps prevent overcrowding.

• Planting summer crops too early in cold soil

• Underestimating container depth

• Reusing depleted soil without amendments

• Overcrowding plants to “save space”

• Choosing crops that outgrow containers

Avoiding these mistakes makes succession planting far more successful.

No. Succession planting works in both cool and warm regions because it is based on temperature and crop timing, not calendar dates. Container gardeners in cooler climates may have fewer rotations, but the principle still applies.

Just like any kind of gardening, container gardening can have mixed results. It all depends on what you’re planting, where, and when. Succession planting transforms containers from single-use pots into season-long producers. Even one or two containers can supply fresh greens, herbs, and vegetables for months when crops are timed correctly.

Start with your favorites and adjust with each season. You’ll be surprised how much you can grow in a limited space when you use succession planting.