Garden 15 Plants to Grow in Small Gardens These flowers, vegetables, and herbs make a big impact in a small space. By Blythe Copeland Blythe Copeland Blythe Copeland is a contributing writer with more than a decade of experience as a freelance lifestyle writer. Editorial Guidelines Published on August 4, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Svetlana Monyakova / GETTY IMAGES If you think you can't put together a beautiful flower bed or a bountiful vegetable garden in a small space, think again: You don't need major square footage to make a big impression. Gorgeous flowers, upward-growing vegetables, fragrant and versatile herbs, and delicate ornamental grasses can all contribute to the overall look and abundance of even the smallest plot of soil. Whether you're working with a small piece of land, a few containers, or a raised bed, consider these expert-recommended plants to make the most of a small garden. 15 Small-Space Garden Ideas Perfect to Help You Make the Most of Your Outdoor Space 01 of 15 Lily Turf unimode / GETTY IMAGES Ornamental grasses provide low-maintenance foliage—without being picky about where they're planted. "Transform your shaded garden spaces with this captivating tufted grass-like perennial," says Rich Christakes of Ship My Plants. "Its glossy, arching, dark green leaves set the stage for a stunning display of lavender-and-white flowers. The versatility of this lily turf makes it a great option for small gardens because of its compact size and bold appearance when massed together as a ground cover." Zone: 4 to 10Size: 16 inches tall x 12 inches wideGrowing conditions: full sun to part shade; average to moist soil Discover Your Garden Zone Here 02 of 15 Allium Serendipity Martin Wahlborg / GETTY IMAGES Tall, thin alliums show off brightly colored globes of tiny flowers without outgrowing their plot. "Elegant, upright clumps of blue-green, strappy leaves, complemented by rounded clusters of purple flowers in midsummer, are eye-catching," says Christakes. "They're perfect for long-lasting cut flowers and stunning when massed together. These blooms add a touch of beauty to any garden." Zone: 4Size: 20 inches tall x 12 inches wideGrowing conditions: full sun; average to moist soil 03 of 15 Orchid Frost Lamium PFMphotostock / GETTY IMAGES Even the foliage of this ground cover plant for small gardens is striking, says Christakes: It boasts oval-shaped and blue-green with silver edges. "With its fast-growing nature and compact stature, this enchanting ground cover effortlessly blankets small-space gardens in no time at all," he says. "Delicate spikes of pale pink flowers bloom gracefully during the summer months." Zone: 2 to 8Size: 8 inches tall x 24 inches wideGrowing conditions: full shade to part sun; dry to wet soil 04 of 15 Caramel Coral Bells Marina Kositsyna / GETTY IMAGES Coral bells provide a leafy complement to beds filled with flowers and shrubs. Christakes likes this variety for several reasons: Its look—"cream-colored bells emerge from a compact mound of peach-gold foliage with eye-catching reddish undersides that turn fully red in the spring"—its adaptability, and its smaller size. Zone: 4 to 9Size: 18 inches tall x 18 inches wideGrowing conditions: full sun to full shade; average to moist soil 05 of 15 Snowcap Shasta Daisy menegue / GETTY IMAGES It doesn't get more iconic than a (small) garden bed full of daisies. These cheerful yellow-and-white flowers have a small spread that makes them an ideal fit even in tiny spaces, says Christakes. "Embrace the beauty of this sought-after Shasta daisy variety, celebrated for its prolific bloom rate, abundant white flowers with sunny yellow eyes, and deep green foliage," he says. Zone: 4 to 9Size: 18 inches tall x 18 inches wideGrowing conditions: full sun to part shade; average to moist soil 06 of 15 Leaf Lettuce PhotoAlto/Frederic Cirou / GETTY IMAGES If you prefer to use your square footage as a practical kitchen garden instead of an ornamental flower bed, start with leaf lettuce in the spring, says Ginny Rosenkranz of the University of Maryland Extension program. "It grows quickly and can be cut to grow again," she says. "When summer comes, the lettuce will stop and can be replaced with summer vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers." Zone: 2 to 11Size: 6 inches tall x 12 inches wideGrowing conditions: full sun to part shade; loose, moist, well-drained soil 07 of 15 Peas Fun4lif3 / GETTY IMAGES Installing a trellis for peas to grow on triples the edible harvest you can get from a small space. "Peas, pea shoots, and the pea tendrils are all edible," says Rosenkranz. To increase your yield even more, plant seeds on both sides of the trellis. Zone: 2 to 11Size: 2 to 8 feet tallGrowing conditions: full sun; rich, well-drained soil 08 of 15 Miniature Tomatoes joannatkaczuk / GETTY IMAGES While tomatoes of all sizes will grow upward on a trellis or cage, smaller fruits provide a more bountiful—and just as delicious—harvest. "Patio, cherry, cocktail, or grape tomatoes produce small, cherry-sized fruit with a delicious taste," says Rosenkranz. "Supersweet 100 is a classic sweet red cherry tomato and Sun Gold is a bright gold cherry with intense fruit flavor." Zone: 3 to 11Size: 2 to 3 feet tallGrowing conditions: full sun; well-drained soil How to Grow Tomato Plants From Seeds 09 of 15 Cucumbers Antonina Trushina / GETTY IMAGES Though you can let cucumber vines spread out across your yard, Rosenkranz recommends putting them on a sturdy trellis instead—to both save space and protect the cukes. "They will grow off the ground for cleaner fruit and the fruit will hang straight from a trellis," she says. "Always wait for the soil to warm up before planting cucumbers; they don't like the cold." Zone: 4 to 12Size: 3 to 6 feet tallGrowing conditions: full sun; rich, well-drained soil 10 of 15 Winter Squash Wirestock / GETTY IMAGES Round out your garden season with acorn, butternut, or delicata squash, suggests Rosenkranz. They also provide a hearty yield when supported by a strong trellis. Zone: 3 to 10Size: 2 to 8 feetGrowing conditions: full sun; rich, well-drained soil 11 of 15 Thai Basil YinYang / GETTY IMAGES Basil is a versatile herb for any home chef, and a perfect complement to the other summer vegetables you grow in a small garden. "When the weather is warm enough to grow cucumbers and tomatoes, plant a basil plant—and if space is really at a premium, plant Thai basil," says Rosenkranz. "It doesn't grow as tall or wide as Italian basil." Zone: 4 to 10Size: 12 inches tall x 12 inches wideGrowing conditions: full to part sun; moist, well-drained soil 12 of 15 Oregano AYImages / GETTY IMAGES In pizza sauce, chili, or marinades, oregano adds a savory depth of flavor. Rosenkranz also recommends it for its decorative look—white flowers standing out against dark green leaves. Zone: 4 to 10Size: 8 to 24 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wideGrowing conditions: full sun; well-drained soil How to Plant and Grow a Pizza Garden 13 of 15 Rosemary Rosmarie Wirz / GETTY IMAGES Easy to use when fresh or dried, rosemary is a fragrant addition to any herb garden. If you're short on space, opt for the Blue Boy dwarf variety—it stays smaller than its bigger relatives, but has the same rich, aromatic flavor, says Rosenkranz. Zone: 8 to 10Size: 6 to 8 inches tall x 15 to 18 inches wideGrowing conditions: full sun to part shade; well-drained soil 10 Herbs You Should Stop Buying and Start Growing 14 of 15 Summer Thyme robert brown / GETTY IMAGES Another small-space-friendly alternative to a classic herb, the Summer thyme variety stays low and compact. "Summer thyme thrives as a low growing evergreen with tiny fragrant green leaves," says Rosenkranz. Zone: 6 to 8Size: 6 to 8 inches wide x 6 to 8 inches tallGrowing conditions: Full sun to part shade; dry, well-drained soil 15 of 15 Chives Tunatura / GETTY IMAGES If your garden doesn't allow room for onions, consider chives instead—a prettier version of the root vegetable. "Chives are small bulbs that grow into long thin leaves with a mild onion flavor," says Rosenkranz. "The flowers are pretty and edible as well—and are great for decorating salads." Zone: 3 to 10Size: 10 to 15 inches tallGrowing conditions: full sun to part shade; moist, well-drained soil Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit