Growing plants in containers and pots are an excellent way to add greenery to your home, even if you have limited space. It is a fun and fulfilling activity that can help reduce stress and improve air quality. But not all plants thrive in pots and containers. Some plants are better suited to container gardening than others.
In this article, we will discuss the six best plants you can grow in pots and containers. These plants are easy to care for, adapt well to container gardening, and are perfect for adding color and texture to your home or patio.
Here are the best plants you can grow in pots
Coriander
Coriander, also known as cilantro, or Chinese parsley, is an herb commonly used to garnish food. Coriander leaves and seeds are mostly used for cooking. Coriander is a good source of vitamins, manganese, and potassium. It can be easily grown in pots without much stress and equipment.
How to plant: Get a pot or container and multi-purpose soil. Sow seed not more than 1 cm deep and cover it loosely with soil. Water it moderately daily and expose it to sunlight. Germination takes 1-3 weeks. Coriander is best sown directly into the soil rather than a nursery tray to prevent damage to the root during transplanting.
Maintenance: Once germination takes place, water moderately, excess water can cause the yellowing of leaves and root rot while inadequate water can cause the plant to wilt. Regular picking of leaves encourages new leaves to sprout.
Harvesting: Coriander leaves can be harvested when they reach 6 inches in height. If grown for seeds, the plant should be left alone to flower and bear seeds. Seeds can be harvested once the seed head turns brown. Dry the seed properly before being used for any recipes. Once the seeds are dried they can also be replanted or stored for future use.
Uses: Coriander has a wide variety of uses and benefits which includes:
- It helps to lower the rate of heart disease
- It helps to lower blood sugar and pressure
- It is an immune booster
- It is an immune booster
- It boosts the human brain
- It aids digestion
- It helps to fight microbial infections
- It aids in the treatment of mild skin infections
- It reduces cholesterol levels.
Basil
Basil, sometimes referred to as Tulsi is a plant that can serve as an herb or spice. Basil belongs to the mint family. The most common species of basil is sweet basil. Other varieties include lemon basil, Thai basil, purple basil, etc.
Basil leaves ( fresh and dry) are often incorporated into food diets and basic ingredients for some recipes. Basil is a plant that can be homegrown in a container without much stress and minimal equipment is needed. Basil requires about 6-8 hours of sunlight daily, basil should be grown in a clean and dry place to prevent contamination of the leaves. Basil does not do well under cold conditions.
How to plant: A fertile soil( preferably a mixture of sandy and loamy soil) is needed. Pour soil into a clean pot or container, and sow basil seeds about 1\2 cm deep. Germination takes about 7–14 days. In dry regions, water the plant regularly.
Maintenance: Basil does not require high maintenance, the plant should be watered regularly to avoid wilting of the plant. When the plant starts flowering, cut or trim off the flowers.
Harvesting: Basil leaves can be harvested once the plant has grown to 8–9 inches tall. Do not cut the stem of the plant, harvest basil leaves only so that another set of leaves can sprout from the stem. Harvest leaves early in the morning or late in the evening. Leaves can be stored in freezers or dried and grounded or blended into a powder.
Uses: Basil leaves have a wide variety of uses and benefits which includes:
- It boosts the immune system
- It is a rich source of antioxidant
- It aids digestion
- It helps in the removal of blackheads and whiteheads
- It helps to reduce blood sugar
- It possesses an anti-inflammatory agent
- It can function as an anti-stress
- It helps to fight infections.
- It contains anti-depressant
- It helps in slowing down the growth of cancer cells
- It is used for the production of basil oil and tea.
Lavender
Lavender is also a member of the mint family. It is an aromatic plant that has purple flowers and an attractive smell. Lavender is widely grown all over the world. Dried lavender flowers are used to add scents to a lot of things which include bath bombs, beverages, sweets, and herbal medicines.
How to plant: Lavender can be a tricky plant to cultivate since most varieties can’t be cultivated at home. However, a few varieties can be cultivated at home.
These varieties include papillon, imperial gem, Hidcote giant, etc. To grow the plant, a big pot with sandy soil mix half full is needed. Add 1 tablespoon of lime to the soil. For lavender seeds, grow lavender seeds in nursery soil. To enhance fast sprouting, soak your seeds in warm water for 12 hours before planting.
Place your nursery tray in a warm and dry place, because lavender seeds need warmth and light to grow. Germination takes place between 14-25 days. After 30 days, seedlings can be transferred into a pot. For lavender seedlings: Make a hole about 1cm deep and transplant the seedlings, and cover loosely with soil and water daily until the plant shows signs of steady growth.
Maintenance: Lavender plants do not require high maintenance. It requires no fertilizer and can grow for up to 10 years before replacement is needed. Trimming is compulsory yearly for the faded flowers so that new ones can bloom. Water the plant deeply and regularly in dry regions.
Harvesting: Gently cut the stems just before the flowers open up. Gather up the stems and dry them in a shade. After the flowers have thoroughly dried, store them in a container for future use.
Uses: Lavender can be used for the following:
- Making essential oil
- Making tea
- Production of perfumes
- To add flavor and scents to other products
Benefits of lavender
- It lowers blood sugar
- It can relieve pain
- It has anti-inflammatory properties
- It can be used to treat fungal infections
- It can be used to treat minor burns and sunburn
- It can serve as an antioxidant and antidepressant
- It can be used to treat insomnia
- It aids digestion and helps to treat digestive issues such as vomiting, gassiness, nausea, and stomach upset.
Rosemary
Rosemary just like lavender is also another Medicinal herb that is a member of the mint family. Rosemary leaves both fresh and dried are used for cooking and the production of essential oil. Rosemary is generally grown in a warm climate, rosemary is rich in vitamins and essential minerals.
How to plant: A well-drained soil mix is needed. Rosemary stems cuttings are needed,( rosemary can be grown from seeds, however, the germination and survival rate is very low when compared to stem cuttings, and it requires technicality). Plant the cuttings in the soil and water regularly. However, excessive watering can cause root rot, so keep the pot in a warm place with good sunlight.
Maintenance: Rosemary plants should be moderately watered and pruned regularly.
Harvesting: Trim stems for immediate use of fresh leaves or trim a group of stems and dry them for future use.
Benefits and uses of Rosemary:
- It boosts the immune system
- It improves blood circulation
- It boosts memory s performance
- Improved digestion
- Slows down brain aging
- Stimulates hair growth
- It can help to relieve pain and stress.
Sage also known as common sage, kitchen sage, and broadleaf sage is an herb widely known for its slightly peppery taste. It can be grown as an ornamental plant because of its brightly colored flowers.
Sage
How to plant: Get a slightly acidic loamy soil mix and plant the seeds about 1/2 inches deep and lightly cover with soil. Place the pot in an area with abundant sunlight. Germination usually takes about 7-14 days.
Maintenance: Water the plant lightly, as excessive water can cause the root to rot. Water the soil directly and not the leaves.
Harvesting: Harvesting usually takes place after about 70 days. Pluck the leaves individually or trim a part of the stem. Both dried and fresh leaves can be used.
Benefits:
- Memory enhancement
- Aids digestion
- Treatment of sunburn and mild burns
- Used to correct bad breath
- Can be used as a cleaning agent
- It is rich in calcium
- To reduce excessive milk flow for nursing mother
- Sore throat treatment.
- It can be used as a spice in food.
- used to treat the common cold.
- lowering cholesterol levels.
- Boosts appetite
Chamomile
Chamomile is an annual plant that is extremely easy to grow. It grows very quickly (it takes about 8-10 weeks). There are two common types of chamomile which are; German chamomile and Roman chamomile.
How to plant: Chamomile requires rich organic soil with a neutral pH. Chamomile seeds are sown directly on the soil, it does not require making a hole to plant. They can thrive well under partial sunlight or full sunlight in cold regions.
Maintenance: Water the chamomile plant lightly in hot regions, however, in humid regions watering is not required.
Harvesting: Harvest the flowers when they are in full bloom. Do not cut the stem so that another flower can bud.
Uses: Chamomile is used in the production of a lot of things which include:
- Mouthwash
- Soap
- Cosmetics
- Weight loss
- Beer and ale
- Herbal remedies
Benefits of chamomile include:
- Reduces menstrual pain
- Treatment of ulcer
- Treatment of rheumatic pain
- Treatment of fever
- Aids digestion
- Reduction of anxiety.
