Want a thriving garden without a big yard? Bucket gardening is your answer! This adaptable method lets you grow veggies, herbs, and flowers in containers. Place them almost anywhere! With some ingenuity, transform a simple bucket into a self-watering, productive garden. Perfect for both experienced and beginner gardeners, bucket gardening offers an easy way to cultivate your own food.
Discover the 21 top vegetables for bucket gardening in this updated guide! These choices are ideal for compact areas, simple to care for, and produce abundant harvests. We’ll also provide helpful advice and suggest relevant Amazon products to kickstart your gardening journey. Eager to cultivate your own food using buckets? Let’s begin!
1. Tomatoes
Tomatoes remain a top choice for container gardening in 2025, and it’s easy to see why. They’re simple to cultivate, yield generous crops, and adapt to diverse climates. Tomatoes flourish in sizable, deep buckets, ideal for bucket gardening. When selecting a tomato type for your bucket garden, choose compact or determinate options like cherry or Roma tomatoes. These varieties exhibit controlled growth, resulting in smaller, more manageable plants for containers.
Discover why tomatoes thrive in bucket gardens:
Tomatoes are perfect for containers as their roots don’t need as much space compared to other vegetables.
They require full sun to thrive, so make sure to place them in a location that gets at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.
Regular watering is important, but be cautious of overwatering. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Support your tomato plants with a cage or trellis to help them grow upright and avoid sprawling on the ground.
2025 Product Spotlight:
Tomato Grow Kit – Amazon offers several kits that come with everything you need to start growing tomatoes in buckets, including soil, seeds, and a container. A popular choice is the “Hydrofarm Tomato Planter Kit”, which includes a sturdy bucket and everything you need for successful growth.
2. Bell Peppers
Bell peppers thrive in bucket gardens! These compact and colorful plants are simple to cultivate. Enjoy a rainbow of options: green, red, yellow, and orange. They’ll brighten your space and provide delicious, healthy food.
Discover why bell peppers thrive in bucket gardens:
Bell peppers require a larger container to grow properly, but they are still well-suited to bucket gardening.
They love warm temperatures, so ensure that your bucket peppers receive plenty of sunlight.
A mix of well-draining potting soil and compost will keep the roots healthy.
Bell peppers require regular feeding to ensure a healthy harvest. Use a balanced fertilizer, especially one that’s rich in potassium and phosphorus, to promote flowering and fruiting.
Recommended Product (2025):
Bell Pepper Seed Pack – You can easily find a wide variety of bell pepper seeds online. The “Burpee Bell Pepper Seeds” are a great option that offers multiple color varieties for your bucket garden.
3. Lettuce
Want a vegetable that grows quickly? Lettuce is your answer! It’s perfect for bucket gardening because it doesn’t need much soil. Plus, you can harvest it repeatedly. Lettuce loves cool weather and grows well inside or outside. This makes it a great choice for gardening all year long.
Lettuce thrives in bucket gardens! Here’s why:
Lettuce plants are small, making them ideal for shallow containers like buckets.
You can grow several types of lettuce in the same bucket, allowing for a variety of textures and flavors.
Lettuce prefers cooler temperatures, so if you’re growing it outdoors, plant it in the early spring or late fall.
It grows quickly, with many varieties ready for harvest in just 30-60 days.
2025 Product Spotlight:
Lettuce Seed Starter Kit – For ease of starting your lettuce garden, check out the “Seed Needs Lettuce Seeds” bundle, which includes a variety of lettuce types and all the instructions you need to get started.
4. Spinach
Spinach reigns supreme as a nutritional powerhouse for your bucket garden. It’s brimming with essential vitamins and minerals. Plus, it’s remarkably simple to cultivate in limited areas. Spinach boasts rapid growth and thrives in cooler temperatures. This makes it an excellent option for planting in early spring or autumn. Consider adding this leafy green to your container garden this year for a healthy and rewarding harvest.
Spinach: The Perfect Choice for Your 2025 Bucket Garden:
Spinach has a shallow root system, so it thrives in small buckets or containers.
It doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, making it an ideal choice for beginner gardeners.
Spinach can be harvested continuously. You can pick individual leaves as needed and let the plant keep growing.
Like lettuce, spinach prefers cooler temperatures and does best in the spring or fall months.
2025 Product Spotlight: Discover our top pick!
Spinach Seed Pack – For a high-quality spinach seed option, try the “Organic Spinach Seeds by Botanical Interests.” This pack includes a variety of spinach that grows well in containers.
5. Carrots
Growing carrots in buckets might seem tricky. However, the right type will flourish in containers. Choose short or mini carrot varieties for bucket gardening. They need less space. These carrots are ideal for small buckets. Expect a good harvest of tasty, crisp roots.
Why Carrots Thrive in Bucket Gardens:
Carrots grow well in deep, narrow containers. Buckets that are at least 12 inches deep are perfect for these root vegetables.
Carrots need loose, well-drained soil, so make sure your bucket has good drainage.
Select compact varieties like ‘Parisienne’ or ‘Thumbelina’ for smaller containers.
Make sure to thin your carrot plants as they grow to give them enough space to form large, healthy roots.
Recommended Product (2025):
Deep Root Vegetable Bucket – A deeper bucket is ideal for growing carrots. Check out “Root Pouch Deep Garden Planter Bags” for a convenient, breathable container that promotes healthy carrot growth.
6. Radishes
Radishes are super speedy growers, perfect for gardeners craving fast harvests. You don’t need much soil; buckets at least 6-8 inches deep work great. They come in many types, from small red ones to long white ones. Radishes add a delightful peppery crunch to salads and meals.
Radishes: The Perfect Choice for Bucket Gardening in 2025!
Radishes mature in just 3-4 weeks, so they are an excellent choice for a quick gardening turnaround.
Their small size and shallow root system make them well-suited to bucket gardening.
Radishes need regular watering but be careful not to overwater, as too much moisture can cause them to become tough and woody.
2025 Product Spotlight:
Radish Seed Bundle – “Burpee Radish Seeds” offers a variety of radishes, including classic red, white, and black radishes, perfect for growing in buckets.
7. Green Onions
Scallions, or green onions, thrive in containers and are simple to cultivate. Regrowing them from kitchen scraps is effortless; just put the roots in water or soil. Their compact size makes them ideal for adding a flavorful zest to salads, soups, and various culinary creations. Enjoy fresh green onions all year round!
Discover why green onions thrive in bucket gardens:
Green onions require very little space and can be grown in shallow containers like buckets.
They don’t need a lot of maintenance and are perfect for beginner gardeners.
You can harvest them in stages by cutting off the green tops, allowing the plant to continue growing.
They thrive in full sunlight and regular watering.
Recommended Product (2025):
Green Onion Seed Starter Kit – A great option for starting green onions in buckets is the “Green Onion Seed Kit” on Amazon, which includes all the necessary materials for successful planting.
8. Cucumbers
Cucumbers thrive in bucket gardens, particularly in warmer regions. Maximize space by growing them vertically using a trellis or support. This method also promotes healthy growth in containers. Choose from various cucumber types, including slicing and pickling varieties, all well-suited for bucket cultivation.
Discover why cucumbers thrive in bucket gardens:
Cucumbers love warmth and full sun, making them perfect for container gardening in the summer.
They grow best when supported on a trellis or cage, so invest in a vertical growing system to help them flourish.
Make sure your bucket is large enough—at least 5 gallons or more—to accommodate the cucumber plant’s sprawling nature.
2025 Product Spotlight: Discover our top pick!
Cucumber Trellis Kit – Look for “Garden Trellis Kits” on Amazon to help support your cucumbers as they grow vertically and maximize your space.
9. Zucchini
Zucchini thrives in buckets, offering a simple gardening solution. This adaptable vegetable grows fast and yields abundantly. Ensure full sunlight and consistent watering for your zucchini plants. With proper care, expect a generous harvest of squash all season long.
Discover why zucchini thrives in bucket gardens:
Zucchini plants are compact, but they still need a large container to thrive.
They need at least 5 gallons of space, so choose a large bucket or container.
Zucchini grows best when it has enough sunlight, so position your bucket in a sunny spot.
They’re easy to grow and make great additions to many dishes, from stir-fries to bread.
Recommended Product (2025):
Zucchini Seed Pack – The “Burpee Zucchini Seed” packet offers a variety of zucchini that’s perfect for small spaces and bucket gardens.
10. Beets
Beets thrive in bucket gardens, offering a vibrant addition to your container vegetable selection. Similar to carrots, they need deep containers for optimal root development. These nutritious vegetables can be enjoyed raw, roasted, or juiced. Beets are also beginner-friendly, making them a fantastic option for gardeners aiming to expand their container garden’s variety in 2025.
Why Beets Thrive in Bucket Gardens:
Beets are ideal for buckets because they grow in a vertical direction and don’t need a large footprint.
They prefer cooler weather, making them great for spring or fall gardening.
Beets benefit from loose, well-draining soil, so make sure your bucket has proper drainage.
2025 Product Spotlight:
Beet Seed Kit – The “Non-GMO Beet Seeds by Seed Savers Exchange” offer a great variety for bucket gardens, including heirloom beet varieties.
11. Kale
Kale is a superfood packed with essential vitamins and minerals. It thrives in bucket gardens! Its preference for cooler temperatures makes it ideal for spring and fall planting. Enjoy kale’s versatility in salads, soups, smoothies, or as a tasty garnish.
Discover why kale thrives in bucket gardens:
Kale has a shallow root system, so it does well in medium-sized buckets.
It is easy to grow in both cool and warm weather, making it a great option for different seasons.
Kale is a cut-and-come-again vegetable, meaning you can continuously harvest leaves throughout the season, allowing for long-term production.
Ensure your kale gets plenty of sunlight and consistent moisture for optimal growth.
Recommended Product (2025):
Kale Seed Pack – For a high-quality kale seed option, check out “Organic Kale Seeds by High Mowing Organic Seeds”, which provide a variety of kale types that thrive in containers.
12. Swiss Chard
Swiss chard thrives in bucket gardens. Its stems boast vibrant colors, ranging from deep red to sunny yellow, enhancing your garden’s beauty. This fast-growing leafy green offers a continuous harvest, perfect for compact spaces.
Discover why Swiss chard thrives in bucket gardens:
It grows well in shallow containers and is well-suited for bucket gardening.
Swiss chard loves full sunlight but can tolerate partial shade, making it flexible in terms of placement.
The plant is relatively easy to care for and can be harvested continuously by picking the outer leaves.
Regular watering is important, but be sure the soil drains well to avoid waterlogging.
2025 Product Spotlight: Discover our top pick!
Swiss Chard Seed Pack – The “Organic Rainbow Swiss Chard Seeds” from Burpee offers a mix of colors and is perfect for growing in buckets, adding both beauty and nutrition to your container garden.
13. Peas
Peas are excellent for bucket gardening. They flourish in cooler weather. These plants don’t need much space. Use a trellis for vertical growth in containers. This makes them ideal for small spaces in 2025.
Discover why peas thrive in bucket gardens:
Peas thrive in cooler temperatures, so plant them early in the spring or late in the fall.
They can be grown vertically using a trellis, allowing you to save space while maximizing your harvest.
Peas require relatively little maintenance once they’re established, though they do benefit from regular watering.
They can be used in a variety of dishes and are a great addition to salads, stews, or as a side dish.
2025 Product Spotlight: Discover our top pick!
Pea Trellis Kit – Consider the “Pea & Bean Trellis Netting Kit” on Amazon for vertical support, which will allow your peas to grow upright and save space.
14. Herbs (Basil, Thyme, Oregano)
Don’t underestimate herbs for container gardens! They’re ideal for buckets, particularly in limited areas. Basil, thyme, and oregano are excellent choices. These compact herbs flourish in containers and enhance your culinary creations with amazing taste.
Why Herbs Thrive in Bucket Gardens:
Herbs need minimal space to grow, making them ideal for small containers.
These herbs prefer well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight.
Growing herbs in buckets allows you to easily control their environment and harvest fresh herbs year-round.
Regular trimming encourages healthy growth and ensures a continuous harvest.
Recommended Product (2025):
Herb Garden Starter Kit – The “Herb Garden Starter Kit by Click & Grow” is an excellent option for beginners, offering a self-watering container and a variety of herb seeds, including basil, thyme, and oregano.
15. Mustard Greens
Mustard greens thrive in cool weather and grow quickly, making them ideal for container gardening. Their zesty, peppery taste enhances salads, soups, and sandwiches. Easy to cultivate, mustard greens are a fantastic choice for beginner gardeners in 2025.
Discover why mustard greens thrive in bucket gardens:
They grow quickly, and you can harvest them in as little as 30 days.
Mustard greens thrive in cooler temperatures, so they’re ideal for spring and fall gardening.
They are compact, making them perfect for bucket gardening in smaller spaces.
Mustard greens grow well in partial shade, but they still need at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
2025 Product Spotlight:
Mustard Greens Seed Pack – Try the “Mustard Greens Seed by Botanical Interests”, which offers a variety of mustard greens perfect for small container gardens.
16. Broccoli
Broccoli thrives in cooler temperatures, making it ideal for bucket gardening. It requires slightly more room than some other vegetables, but the reward is significant. Depending on your location, you can harvest broccoli in both spring and autumn. Plus, it’s a nutritional powerhouse, loaded with vital nutrients.
Broccoli thrives in bucket gardens! Here’s why:
Broccoli needs a slightly larger container, at least 5 gallons, to give its roots plenty of room.
It requires full sunlight for optimal growth, so make sure your bucket is placed in a sunny spot.
Regular watering is key, but the soil should not stay too wet. Ensure the bucket has good drainage.
Broccoli can be harvested once the main head has matured, and side shoots will continue to grow afterward.
2025 Product Spotlight:
Broccoli Seed Kit – The “Organic Broccoli Seeds by Seeds of Change” are perfect for container gardening and produce excellent broccoli heads in a relatively short time.
17. Cabbage
Cabbage thrives in buckets, perfect for small gardens. Its large, leafy head provides a generous harvest. Enjoy cabbage in diverse recipes, from stir-fries to refreshing coleslaw.
Discover why cabbage thrives in bucket gardens:
Cabbage requires a deep container to accommodate its roots, so choose a bucket with at least 12 inches of depth.
It loves full sunlight and requires cool, consistent weather to thrive.
Cabbage is a slow-growing vegetable, but it is relatively low-maintenance once established.
Regular watering and rich, well-drained soil are key to producing large, healthy cabbage heads.
Recommended Product (2025):
Cabbage Seed Pack – For a high-quality cabbage seed option, consider “Heirloom Cabbage Seeds by Territorial Seed Company”, which offers varieties well-suited to container gardening.
18. Green Beans
Snap beans, often called green beans, thrive in bucket gardens. Their rapid growth and simple care make them ideal for novice gardeners. Maximize your space by growing green beans vertically on a trellis.
Discover why green beans thrive in bucket gardens:
Green beans can be grown on a vertical support, saving space in your container garden.
They thrive in warm weather, so plant them after the last frost.
Beans benefit from regular watering, but they should be planted in well-draining soil to prevent root rot.
Green beans mature quickly, providing a fast-growing crop that you can harvest multiple times during the growing season.
2025 Product Spotlight: Discover our top pick!
Bean Trellis Kit – For supporting your green beans, the “Vertical Garden Trellis for Green Beans” is a great option, providing sturdy support as your beans grow.
19. Okra
Okra, a heat-loving vegetable, flourishes in containers. It’s ideal for warm-weather gardens due to its preference for high temperatures. Okra plants are productive, yielding many pods. These pods are versatile and can be used in various dishes like soups, stews, or as a fried treat.
Discover why okra thrives in bucket gardens:
Okra requires a large bucket, at least 5 gallons, to accommodate its tall, spindly growth.
It thrives in warm temperatures and full sun, making it ideal for hot summers.
Okra is a low-maintenance plant, but it requires regular watering and well-drained soil.
Once mature, the pods are easy to harvest and are perfect for a variety of dishes.
2025 Product Spotlight:
Okra Seed Pack – The “Okra Seed by Burpee” is an excellent option for container gardening, providing fast-growing, high-yielding plants.
20. Eggplant
Eggplant excels in bucket gardens, offering a fantastic gardening option. This heat-loving vegetable is perfect for summer. Its vibrant purple fruits bring visual appeal and delicious flavor to your container garden.
Eggplant thrives in bucket gardens! Here’s why:
Eggplant requires a large, deep container to grow its root system properly.
It thrives in full sunlight and needs consistent watering to produce a high yield.
Eggplants do well in warm climates, and you can grow several plants in one large bucket.
Be sure to provide support for the plants as they grow, as eggplant can produce heavy fruits.
2025 Product Spotlight:
Eggplant Seed Pack – The “Black Beauty Eggplant Seeds by Burpee” are perfect for container gardening and will produce large, flavorful eggplants.
21. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes thrive in bucket gardens, particularly with ample space for larger containers. As a warm-season crop, they need deep soil to support their root development. Cultivating your own sweet potatoes in your backyard is achievable with some patience.
Discover why sweet potatoes thrive in bucket gardens:
Sweet potatoes require deep containers to accommodate their sprawling roots.
They thrive in warm soil and plenty of sunlight, making them perfect for summer gardening.
Be prepared for a longer growing season, but the harvest is worth the wait.
Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamins and are a great addition to any garden.
2025 Product Spotlight:
Sweet Potato Vine Kit – The “Sweet Potato Vine Starter Kit” offers everything you need to grow sweet potatoes in containers, including healthy vine slips for planting.
Conclusion
No matter your gardening experience, bucket gardening offers an excellent solution for growing delicious, fresh vegetables in limited areas. This guide highlights 21 top vegetable choices ideally suited for container growth, ranging from vibrant greens to hearty root crops. By adhering to the specific advice provided for each vegetable, you can cultivate a thriving garden and reap a generous harvest right at home. Enjoy your gardening journey!
