Growing in Pots: The Quick, Easy Way to Transform Your Garden with Colour and Life

Why Pots Make Brilliant Gardening Sense

Let’s be honest – there’s something undeniably satisfying about growing plants in pots. Whether you’ve got a small balcony or a sprawling back garden, pots offer a quick, easy and versatile way to bring instant colour and structure to your space.

Over the years, we’ve trialled so many plants in containers in our gardens, and we can confidently say there’s real magic in this method. You don’t need acres of soil or even a traditional flower bed to get going – just a decent pot, the right compost, and a little know-how.

Growing in pots gives you control over soil, drainage and placement, so you can grow a wider range of plants than you ever thought possible, even if you’re tight on space! Plus, it’s the ultimate flexible gardening – move things around as the seasons change or bring tender plants into shelter during winter. Simple, stylish, and surprisingly effective.

The Advantages of Growing in Pots

First off, pots give you the freedom to garden wherever you like – on patios, balconies, driveways or decking. They let you control soil type and pH, which is brilliant if you’ve got poor garden soil. Containers also reduce the spread of disease, help manage moisture levels and make it easier to deal with pests.

What’s more, pots make your garden instantly more interesting. You can add height, contrast, and layers of colour in just minutes. Many see containers as the Swiss army knife of gardening, as there’s always a way to make them work for you!

Good Plant Varieties to Grow in Pots

There are plenty of YouGarden favourites that thrive in containers. Here are a few crackers to try for yourself:

• Patio Roses – Big blooms, bold colours and they love a sunny pot. Try this collection of Patio Standard Roses for a truly eye-catching display!
• Hydrangea paniculata ‘Little Lime’ – Compact, hardy, and flowering for months.
• Olive Trees – Bring Mediterranean charm to your patio with ease.

• Cordyline – Bold foliage and structure all year round, Cordylines are an easy winner, and there is so much variety to pick from!
• Dwarf Acer ‘Orange Dream’ – Incredible colour and form for stylish containers.
• Fatsia japonica – Lush, tropical vibes in those shady corners.

You’ll find all of these and more in our Plants for Containers range

How to Choose the Correct Pot Size for Your Plant

This is an important question you must ask yourself when choosing containers and the plant you’ll be growing in them. A pot that’s too small can restrict growth, while a huge pot can cause waterlogging or root rot.

Plug Plants – Start in a 9cm pot until roots establish, then move to a 2–3L container.

9cm Potted Plant – Pot on into a 2–3L container.

3L Potted Plant – Use a 10–15L container for sustained growth.

Bare Root Plant – Depends on plant type, but generally start in a 3–5L pot, then upsize as needed.

As a rule of thumb, always choose a pot that’s 2–3 inches wider than the rootball. It gives your plant room to grow without overwhelming it.

Our top tip – always use pot feet or risers to keep pots off the ground – this helps with drainage and prevents frost damage.

If your container is quite shallow, the compost may dry out quickly. Plant drought-tolerant varieties in these planters to combat this. Another popular shape of container is ‘urn-shaped’, with a wider centre to the pot than the top. You may find it tricky to remove the rootball from this pot type, so ensure you plant long-term plantings in these containers.

What Other Considerations Should You Make When Choosing Pots?

Remember – not all pots are created equal! The material matters – terracotta looks lovely but dries out quickly. Fibreclay and resin are brilliant for combining style with substance, and they hold moisture better. While plastic pots are lightweight and often available at far more affordable price.

Drainage is also key. Most plants hate sitting in soggy soil, so look for containers with pre-inserted drainage holes – or drill your own if needed. And don’t forget to consider the final location. Heavy stone pots might look great but are a nightmare to move!