Home & Garden Garden The Best Containers for Small Gardens of 2023 WeGuard's 5-Levels Raised Garden Bed can get the most out of nearly any space. By Stacy Tornio Stacy Tornio Writer University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee University of Oklahoma Stacy Tornio has authored more than 15 books about animals, nature, and gardening. She is a master gardener and master naturalist. Learn about our editorial process Updated August 4, 2022 Share Twitter Pinterest Email Home & Garden Planting Guides Indoor Gardening Urban Farms Insects We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Getty Just because you have a small space doesn’t mean you can’t have a great garden. By using containers with clever, efficient designs, you’ll have lots of growing options, whether you’re into veggies, herbs, flowers, or all of the above. With gardening in small spaces, it really is important to make the most out of every inch. Often, this means growing up and in layers as much as possible. There are definite benefits to this. By planting in a small space, especially vertically, it creates a really gorgeous aesthetic. You’re able to create your own little secret garden without spending a fortune or taking up a lot of time. In fact with the right containers, you can probably have a pretty amazing setup in a single weekend. Read on for the best containers for small gardens. The Rundown Best Overall: WeGuard 5-Levels Raised Garden Bed at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Trumilu Stackable Planter Vertical Garden at Amazon Jump to Review Best All-in-One System: Foyuee Raised Planter Box On Wheels at Walmart Jump to Review Best Hanging Planter: Terrain Sphere Hanging Basket at Shopterrain.com Jump to Review Best Self-Watering: Keter Bloomer Raised Garden Bed at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Patio Gardening: EMSCO GROUP Raised Garden Bed at Amazon Jump to Review Best Tower: Burpee The Garden Tower 2 at Burpee.com Jump to Review Best Wall Planter: VIVOSUN Vertical Wall Garden Planter at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall WeGuard 5-Levels Raised Garden Bed 4.5 Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon For those who need something that is completely free standing, this tiered planter is perfect. You’ll get five levels total, which are all detachable to allow you to plant, move things around, and drain water as needed, making it our top choice. The frame of this unit is made from steel-coated iron metal that is rustproof and water-resistant. This is actually a really popular design and some places even have it in colors. It can help you maximize your planting area on a porch, patio, or deck space. Best Budget Trumilu Stackable Planter Vertical Garden Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon You’ll love growing flowers or herbs in this stackable container. It comes as a five-tiered system, with each tier having three planting pots—so 15 planting spots total and black liner pots are included. Each one is 12.5 inches wide, and when fully stacked, it’s 24 inches tall. The pots look like terra cotta but are more lightweight, made from a food-safe polypropylene plastic that is also heat-resistant. You can leave the planter sitting or hang it with the included materials. You really get a lot of bang for your buck for this one. Price at time of publish: $39 Best All-in-One System Foyuee Raised Planter Box On Wheels Amazon View On Walmart Store your supplies, grow some plants, and move it around as much as you need with this planter box on wheels. The ergonomic design eliminates a lot of need for bending or kneeling. The cart is made from galvanized steel, which includes an anti-rust coating. The middle of the cart has a drainage hole and water line to keep it from clogging up. Since it’s on wheels, this unit is easy to use both indoors or out. It would be perfect to use for starting seeds, and then just move it outside when you’re ready. Price at time of publish: $110 The 6 Best Herb Garden Kits of 2023 Best Hanging Planter Terrain Sphere Hanging Basket Courtesy of Terrain View On Shopterrain.com All hanging baskets are going to be good space-savers, and these are unique as well. Made by hand in California, these are solid steel baskets with extra deep planting areas. This means your soil and plants won’t try out all the time, so less watering overall! You’ll find multiple size options, ranging from 11 inches to 28 inches. You might spend more for a unique, quality hanging basket like this, but it’ll be well worth it in the long run—both for conserving water and the overall longevity of the planter. By the way, this company also makes a great little hanging terrarium, which is worth checking out here. Price at time of publish: $78 Best Self-Watering Keter Urban Bloomer Raised Garden Bed Amazon View On Amazon View On Keter.com View On Menards.com Love self-watering so you don’t have to think about it all the time. This one is perfect for you. This container is approximately 32 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 30 inches tall. Plus there’s a shelf along the bottom for storage. The unit comes with a built-in water gauge that will tell you when your plants are in need, thanks to the water reservoir system. It comes with a seed-sprouting tray, so it’s perfect to get started growing in spring. It’s perfect for veggies, herbs, or flowers. Price at time of publish: $150 Best for Patio Gardening EMSCO GROUP 20-in W x 24-in L x 10-in H Raised Garden Bed Courtesy of Lowes View On Amazon View On Home Depot View On Lowe's Here’s another self-watering container, and this one is on wheels. The 2-gallon watering system along the bottom of the planter will keep your plants evenly watered for days. Since it’s on casters, you can roll this around as needed, which can especially come in handy if you don’t have a lot of sun and need to move things around. You can feel good knowing the piece is made from a resin that is long-lasting, food-safe, and chemically inactive. It’s perfect for a patio veggie garden or herbs. Price at time of publish: $40 The 9 Best Deck Boxes, According to a Master Gardener Best Tower Burpee The Garden Tower 2 Courtesy of Burpee View On Burpee.com There are a lot of tower systems on the market, and this one is truly one of the best because it doubles as a composting unit. Once it’s all together (it’ll sit at 25 inches wide and 44 inches tall), you’ll be able to grow up to 50 plants in a single place. Then there’s a vertical compost tube, which you can use to add kitchen scraps throughout the season. You’ll want to add about half a cup of worms to the unit as well. Since this container is also a vermicomposting design, the worms are the ones that will do the work to turn your scraps into nutrient-rich soil. What a cool way to get more out of your space and have less waste! Price at time of publish: $360 The 7 Best Countertop Compost Bins of 2023 Best Wall Planter VIVOSUN Vertical Wall Garden Planter Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Growmini.com Made from layers of felt cloth and a water-proof backing, this pocket planter is easy to install on any fence or wall. The planter is nearly 12 inches wide and 45 inches long, and the pockets are extra deep to hold plants better. It's UV resistant, and designed to allow water to seep down from level to level. It comes with zip ties that you can use to attach it to a fence or railings, or you can attach it to a wall by installing install hooks or some other kind of sturdy anchor. Final Verdict Our top pick is the WeGuard 5-Levels Raised Garden Bed, because it can add a lot more growing space to your backyard, deck, or patio. Then for a container that doubles as a garden cart, check out the FOYUEE Raised Planter Box. Why Trust Treehugger Treehugger wants to help you make the most of your gardening space, no matter how big or small it is. The author, Stacy Tornio, lives in an urban bungalow in Wisconsin, so she knows how to make the most out of a small space. She’s been gardening since she was a kid and writing about plants for 15+ years. The 9 Best Cold Frames, According to a Master Gardener