Many of us have discovered the joys of gardening, whether it’s growing our own fruit and veg or creating beautiful flower displays. But what if you don’t have a garden – or your space is very limited?
The good news is that you don’t need a garden or even a balcony to grow your own produce or plants – all you need is a window ledge and a window box.
Window boxes are an elegant and convenient way for people with limited space to get a little green-fingered and grow plants outdoors. So if you’d like to start growing your own plants, here are 10 ideas to get you inspired.
1. Petunias
With their bright colours, cheerful faces, and thick, dark green leaves, petunias are a great choice for a window box – and they look especially lovely when they cascade over the edge of your container.
Petunias flower from spring until the first frost, so they’re good if you want a long-lasting dose of colour. And, because they come in red, purple, pink, and white, as well as and striped and speckled varieties, growing petunias is a great way to inject some vibrancy into your home.
There are several different types of petunias, but wave petunias are considered to be best for growing in a window box. This is because they’re bold, hardy, and require very little care – just water them when the soil feels dry.
These pretty plants love the sun, so if you’re lucky enough to have a window box that catches the rays, petunias should thrive. They can also be grown indoors during the winter, provided they have plenty of sun (a minimum of six hours per day).
Petunias are versatile and grow in many different types of soil, but it’s important that the soil drains well, so be sure to check drainage in your containers.
For more detailed instructions on how to grow petunias, you might want to read this article from Garden Design. Alternatively, why not watch the video below to find out more about growing petunias?
2. Strawberries
Few things are more delicious than a perfectly ripe strawberry – but did you know you can grow these sweet berries from your window ledge?
If you plant strawberries during spring, it may be several months before the berries themselves appear, but the white flowers with bright yellow centres will still make your window box look lovely – and remind you of the sweet treats that are soon to come.
To fruit, strawberries need a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight each day, so if your window box doesn’t get much sunlight, you might want to think about growing another plant instead.
Strawberries also need acidic potting soil rather than garden soil, and because they like well-drained conditions with consistent moisture, it’s important to make sure that the drainage holes in your containers are big enough.
Strawberries should be planted after the last freeze, and with a bit of luck, they should grow and fruit until the frost comes back around – so you should have several months to enjoy these delicious berries!
Spring is the best time to plant strawberries outside. However, you can grow strawberries all year round if you keep them inside. Just make sure that you place them somewhere they’ll get their minimum of six hours a day of direct sunlight, like on the window sill of a south-facing window.
For more information on growing strawberries from your window box, you might want to read this article from Conservation Handbooks, or watch the video below.
3. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of the most popular plants to grow in a window box – and there are plenty of varieties that have been specifically bred to grow on window sills. Sweet ‘n’ Neat, Balconi Red and Yellow, Micro-Tom, Vilma, and Tumbling Tom varieties all thrive in six-inch pots, so these are usually the best bet for growing from home.
Whichever type of tomato you go for, you’ll need a sunny window ledge, as tomatoes require a decent amount of light to flower and fruit. Rather than planting the tomatoes in soil, it’s best to plant them in compost containing either vermiculite or perlite, which provides the plants with all the moisture, nutrients, and oxygen they need.
The best time to sow tomatoes is from the beginning of March until the middle of April, and once the flowers bloom, the tomatoes themselves aren’t far behind. Alternatively, tomatoes grow well inside all year.
To find out more, have a read of this guide from Tomato Growing. Alternatively, why not watch the video below?
4. Herbs
If you enjoy getting creative in the kitchen, why not consider growing your own herbs?
Not only do fresh herbs look vibrant and pretty in a window, but they’ll also provide you with a constant supply of diverse flavours to add to your cooking. Plus, if you regularly buy fresh herbs from the shops, growing your own will save you money too.
The great thing about some of the most popular herbs is that they’re really easy to grow and maintain – and many are drought-tolerant once established, too.
The easiest herbs to grow yourself are basil, parsley, sage, oregano, mint, thyme, and chives, though this will depend on how much sun your window sill gets: rosemary, thyme, sage, and chives all like warm, sunny spots, whereas mint, oregano, and parsley prefer partial sun. So, if your window is quite shady, it’s safest to opt for the latter three. Soil wise, most herbs aren’t fussy and do well in soil and compost mixes.
To find out more about growing your own herb garden in containers, as well as when to plant different herbs, why not have a read of this article from Fantastic Gardeners? Alternatively, check out the video below.
5. Lavender
With its wonderful scent and beautiful purple blossoms, lavender is a favourite among many gardeners.
If you’re planning on growing lavender in your window box, the best time of year to plant it is April or May. However, you can also grow lavender indoors if you want to enjoy that intoxicating fragrance all year long.
Lavender is a Mediterranean plant, so it needs plenty of sunlight to thrive; ideally at least six hours a day. You can grow lavender from either seed or cuttings; seeds should take about two to three weeks to sprout, and cuttings should be planted in moist, sandy soil.
Lavender also needs a good amount of water, but because it doesn’t like to be damp, the most important factor to consider is drainage. It’s best to choose a container that has plenty of container holes, or you can drill more holes yourself. Many gardeners recommend adding some builder’s sand to the soil when growing lavender, as this can increase drainage.
Aside from ensuring they drain properly, lavender is pretty low maintenance. It doesn’t usually survive the winter outside, but the good thing about growing lavender in a window box is that you can bring your plants inside when it gets cold – which also means your home will benefit from their gorgeous scent!
To find out more about growing lavender, have a read of this article from Gardening Know How. Alternatively, you can watch the video below.
6. Spinach
You might not be able to grow strawberries if your window sill doesn’t get much sun…but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on the idea of growing your own healthy produce.
Spinach is a really resilient plant that’ll happily grow in cool, shady spots – and more good news is that it only takes around 40 days to reach harvesting potential. This means that once you sow spinach seeds, it won’t be long before you can enjoy delicious, homegrown fresh spinach!
Though they’re hardy plants, spinach is a heavy feeder and benefits from fertiliser or plant food. It also needs plenty of water, so be sure to water it frequently and don’t let it dry out.
It’s also important to ensure your plant drains properly, as if the water stagnates, it can lead to rot. Because of this, try to avoid wetting the leaves where you can, and keep the soil moist but not soggy.
To find out more about growing spinach in a window box, have a read of this article from Gardening Know How, or watch the video below.
7. Radishes
Fresh, peppery, and crunchy, radishes can transform salads and sandwiches – and the good news is that this root vegetable fares brilliantly in window boxes.
Radishes are resilient plants, and can cope with poor weather very well. Plus, they only need around three to four hours of sunlight a day, so if your window sill isn’t in the sunniest spot, radishes might be a smart choice.
There are many different types of radishes – if you think they’re all red and round, think again! You can get yellow, purple, oblong. and cylinder-shaped radishes. Although, the ones best suited to window containers are the April Cross, Bunny Tail, Cherry Belle, and Champion varieties.
If you’re growing them in a window box, these plants are best sown from April – and you can expect your first radishes to appear just four to six weeks after planting. Radishes don’t require much feeding, but they can’t cope with waterlogging, so try to maintain a consistent level of moisture in the soil.
To learn more about growing radishes in a window box, have a read of this article from Homes & Gardens, or watch the video below.
8. Pansies
With their heart-shaped, overlapping petals and vivid colours, pansies are one of the most popular flowers to grow in window boxes.
Although they look pretty, they’re tough little plants: they can withstand single-digit temperatures and will survive frost. So, if you’re looking to keep your window box looking colourful throughout the winter months, pansies are a wise choice.
Pansies are best planted in early spring or autumn, and though you can plant them from seeds, it’s much easier to buy plants from a local nursery. Plus, this way you’ll be able to enjoy these cheery blooms much sooner.
Pansies like a bit of sun, but not too much: their ideal spot will get some morning sun but be shady in the afternoon. They’re pretty low-maintenance, though they need regular watering and do best when planted in potting soil (do ensure it’s well-drained though!).
As with all of the plants on this list, you can also grow pansies indoors all year round – provided that you have a space for them that’s both cool and sunny.
For more information, have a read of this article from Almanac, or watch the video below.
9. Aloe vera
Another great plant to grow from home is aloe vera. Not only does this plant look impressive, but it also has medicinal uses. For example, it can be used to treat burns, improve digestive health, and clear up skin conditions. You can even use it to make healthy juices!
Because aloe vera is a succulent plant, it flourishes in dry conditions, so if you’re growing it from home it’s best to choose a window sill that’s somewhat sheltered but still gets some sun.
It’s really important not to overwater aloe vera plants. They can’t handle standing water, so ensure the pot has plenty of drainage holes, and don’t water it unless the soil is completely dry.
The most common reason aloe vera plants die is because they’re overwatered or the water doesn’t drain properly, so this is the number one thing to look out for. Remember, aloe’s plump leaves contain plenty of gel, and this stores water, as do their thick roots.
To find out more about growing aloe vera, have a read of this article from Gardening Know How, or watch the video below.
10. Spring onions
Another fresh and delicious vegetable that thrives in window boxes is the spring onion.
Unlike regular onions, spring onions are shallow-rooting, which means they can be grown in shallow soil and be planted close together. Plus, they can handle partial shade, so if you don’t have the sunniest window ledge, they’re a good choice.
Spring onions require good drainage, so it’s helpful to line the bottom of your window box with a layer of small rocks, which promotes proper drainage. Then, simply add your potting mix, press down, add your seeds, and cover with another layer of potting mix.
It’ll take around three to four weeks for spring onion seeds to germinate, and you should try to avoid picking your onions until they’re at least six inches tall. Though, it’s worth noting that the longer spring onions grow, the stronger their flavour will be.
To find out more about growing spring onions, have a read of this article from The Micro Gardener, or watch the video below.
Final thoughts…
Gardening is an extremely meditative activity – and, luckily, you don’t need to have a garden to create a mini oasis in your own home.
Growing your own plants is as rewarding as it is relaxing, and whether you choose to grow plants you can eat or ones that just look lovely, there’s a unique joy in seeing plants you’ve cared for flourish and grow.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t have any gardening experience; it’s never too late to give gardening a go, and growing plants in a window box is a wonderful way to bring some extra life and vitality into your home.
For more gardening inspiration, you might want to read our article, 8 superfoods that you can grow from home, or check out the gardening section of our website.
Have you grown plants in window boxes before? Or are you inspired to give it a go? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!