Inspiration & Advice
Garden pot playbook for smaller outside spaces
Big gardens with endless beds are lovely, but not everyone has this kind of space. That’s where garden pots step in!
Light and versatile, garden pots turn small balconies, decks, walls and ledges into gorgeous green spaces. They’re also a great place to grow tasty treats like fragrant herbs or juicy baby toms.
You can mix, match and move them around to suit your mood, swap plants with the seasons, or keep your urban corner tropical all year long. Plus, they’re portable, so you can take your mini garden with you if you move!
Want to bring pots into your outdoor spots? Jack’s here with a quick guide to picking and styling containers for your space and lifestyle – and keeping your plantlings happy and healthy!
Explore our Garden Up® range – the best pots for smaller spots!
Picking the perfect garden pots
Picking the right garden pots is as important as choosing the perfect coffee mug. The right pot keeps your plants (and you!) perky and space stylish. So, what factors should you be looking at?
The size of the pot
Choose a garden pot that gives your plant roots plenty of room to stretch, wiggle and settle in. Too small, and you’ll be repotting constantly; too big, and your leafy friend will look a bit lost. Pick one that’s just right, and your plant will be as happy as Goldilocks!
Here’s a handy table to help you out:
| Plant type/growth style | Ideal pot diameter | Best shape |
| Small succulents /
medium succulents |
5-10 cm/10-15cm | Shallow and wide |
| Fast growers (Basil, mint) | 15-20 cm | Medium depth |
| Woody perennials (rosemary, lavender) | 25-30 cm | Taller and deep |
| Single flowers and plants | 20-25 cm | Medium depth |
| Edibles (tomatoes, peppers) | 20-25 cm | Medium depth |
The drainage and airflow
Plants don’t like soggy feet, and neither do your surfaces! Garden planters with proper drainage and a little lift from a pot riser or stand keep roots happy and air flowing, stopping rot and root drama.
The material and weight
Garden pots come in all types of materials and weights – from porcelain to concrete. But the best smaller pot choice has to be plastic. They’re light as a leaf, making them easy to move around, don’t chip or crumble, and they’re budget-friendly.
Garden Up® for smaller spaces
Not every garden pot’s your bog-standard plonk-it-on-a surface type. Our range of quality Garden Up pots and planters lets you grow on walls and balcony rails, and come in a range of shapes and sizes and tick all of the small pot boxes.
All have a water-smart design with an integrated saucer for some models. They’re also made from BPA-free plastic, meaning you don’t get any nasty chemicals oozing into plants or edibles, making them – and you – sick.
Explore our Garden Up range:
- Mix ‘N’ Match (Classic / Herb / Terrace) – Turn any vertical space into a living, growing green wall. You can mount them on walls, fences, slat screens and wireframes.
- Rail Planters (Classic / Herb / Terrace) – Add some vibrant blooms or strawberries to your balcony or smaller space. These planters easily slip and clip over railings and fences.
- 3 Pot Wall Stacker – Another one for walls, fences and wire screens, the nested design of our 3 Pot Wall Stacker gives you maximum leaf coverage. You can fill with soil directly or simply pop small potted plants inside.
Perfect small garden pot layouts
Now you know how to choose the best pots and planters for smaller spaces, here’s some project inspo to get you started!
Build a beautiful flower tower
Love a splash of colour in your outdoor spaces? Grab your choice of Mix N Match Planter – Herb, Classic or Terrace – and stack them up two- or three wide on your wall, screen or fence. Then simply pop in some flowers. Stick to one or two colours or plant a rainbow!
Handy Jack tip!
You don’t just have to build a flower tower. Herbs, trailers, succulents, mixed greenery all work just as well – it just depends on the look you’re going for.
Hang an edible balcony garden
Pick your favourite style and shape Jack Garden Up outdoor pots and arrange them along your balcony railing (Garden Up Rail) or screen by your kitchen door (Garden Up Mix ‘n’ Match) – planting something different in each.
Here are some edible ideas for smaller pots:
- Herbs (basil, parsley, coriander)
- Strawberries or dwarf berries
- Leafy greens (lettuce, spinach, kale)
- Peppers (chilli or mini bell)
Mix it up for styled boho vibes
Not a fan of uniformity? Mix ‘N’ Match our Classic, Herb and Terrace planters, in different colours and hook them randomly to a frame or wall. Fill each with something different – flowers, herbs, succulents, edibles. You can also do this type of boho display with freestanding pots!
Add flow with a growing wave
Line up a wavy row of pots along a fence or wall – indoors or out! Plant a mix of low-growing herbs, succulents, or trailing blooms so each pot spills a little personality. The curves create movement and interest, even in a narrow space.
Handy Jack tip!
Add some extra glimmer and style to your garden pot display with our Jack Decorative Glass Gems or Decorative Clear Mirror Chips.
Plant themed pot clusters
Grab the pots of your choice and group all your leafy greens and herbs in one area, succulents in another, and bright blooms together or plant your trio by colour palette – all green, all orange and all pink. This works wonderfully on walls, balconies or on the ground.
Explore our Garden Up range:
Mix ‘n’ Match: Classic, Herb, Terrace
How to keep potted plantlings happy
Smaller spaces and pots shouldn’t mean small results! Whether your plants live on a balcony ledge, hang from a wall hook, or snuggle in a sunny corner, a smart set-up and some quick care go a long way.
Lift pots for airflow
Pop standard pots on pot risers or stands to keep their bases dry, let their roots breathe, and stop nasty (and stinky!) root rot. When they’re sat on hard, non-porous surfaces, such as balconies or tiles, the water just puddles and can’t drain away.
Explore Garden Up risers, holders and stands
Check if the soil is thirsty
Stick your finger 2–3 cm into the soil. If it’s dry, your plantlings are ready for a drink. For hard-to-reach hanging or wall pots, a simple moisture meter tells you whether it’s time to give them a guzzle.
Handy Jack tip!
If you’re watering stacked wall outdoor pots, water from the top and let excess trickle down to the lower pots. Just don’t let the bottom pots sit in soggy overflow.
Dress the top for moisture control
Sprinkle a light layer of our Jack Decorative Glass Gems or Clear Mirror Chips on the top of the soil. This not only makes your pots look shiny and pretty, but it also acts like mulch, keeping the dirt moist and happy longer.
Give plantlings personalised care
Every plant is a little different, so give each the unique care it needs:
- Herbs – Ensure lots of light and quick-draining soil.
- Vegies/fruits – Enjoy steady watering, food and sun.
- Succulents – Prefer to stay dry between drinks.
- Leafy plants – Like soil lightly moist and occasional food
Rotate and repot as needed
Give your potted plants a little spin now and then so they grow evenly instead of leaning one way. Plus, keep an eye on the roots. If they’re peeking out or the soil dries out the moment you water, the’re no doubt it’s time to repot.
See also: How to take care of indoor plants (and what to pot)
Explore our Garden Up range:
Mix ‘n’ Match: Classic, Herb, Terrace
Handy small garden pot FAQs
Still got questions about small garden pot projects? Don’t worry, Jack’s got your back with handy answers to the most common potting puzzles!
Q: What are the most common mistakes with small pot plants?
A: The most common mistakes with small pots include:
-
Overwatering (tiny pots dry fast, but too much kills roots)
-
Skipping a saucer (hello, balcony stains!)
-
Choosing a pot that’s too big or too tiny
-
Ignoring light or airflow needs
-
Forgetting to check soil regularly
Avoid these, and even the smallest pots can thrive.
Q: What size garden pot should I use for a 14 cm plant?
A: Grab a pot just a smidge bigger than the root ball – around 16–18 cm. Keep it snug, because small pots dry out quick, which keeps your plant happy and stops it turning into a soggy mess.
Q: Do I need pot feet or risers for smaller garden pots?
A: Yes! Even tiny pots need airflow. A few cm of lift stops soggy bottoms and keeps soil healthy. Plus, it saves your balcony from annoying water marks. If you’re using our Garden Up planters, you can skip the risers as they hang on a wall or railing and come with built-in bottom drainage!
Explore Garden Up risers, holders and stands
Q: What are the best pots for herbs on a balcony?
A: For pocket-sized herb patches, nothing beats our water-smart Jack Garden Up Herb Mix ‘n’ Match or Herb Rail Planters. Stack, group, or line them up for maximum flavour and fun. Simply hook them on and you’ve got fresh herbs at arm’s reach.
Q: How do I stop water stains on decking?
A: Our Garden Up pots hook or hang, meaning they don’t sit directly on the ground. They also have an integrated saucer to catch water that trickles through. For standard pots, a stand lets water drain away freely without puddling and staining.
Explore Garden Up risers, holders and stands
Q: Can I hang pots without drilling into walls?
A: You sure can! Our Garden Up Mix ‘n’ Match planters (Classic, Herb and Terrace) hook onto walls, slats, frames and fences. Plus, our Garden Up Rail Planters (Classic, Herb and Terrace) clip over your balcony railings – no drilling needed! They’re awesome if you’re a renter and not allowed to get the drill out. It also means you can easily move your pots around!
Q: How often should I water small pots?
A: Small pots dry out fast, so keep an eye on them. In full sun, check daily; in shadier spots, every couple of days is usually fine. Stick a finger 2–3 cm into the soil – if it’s dry, give it a drink.
Q: Can I mix flowers and herbs in a tiny pot?
A: Yep, go for it! Flowers and herbs can be great mates in a tiny pot. Just make sure their water and sunlight needs match. Pick plants that get along, give them a little love, and your tiny pot will be bursting with colour and flavour in no time.
It’s time to pot up those small spaces!
Now you know all you need to know about small pot gardening, it’s time to get cracking – well, potting!
Simply pick the garden pot products you love and head to your local Jack supplier to grab them! You’ll find us on the shelves at Bunnings. Check stock availability at your local shop, where you’ll find great service or buy from their online store for home delivery!
Created a gorgeous garden pot display? Why not share some snaps on socials, tagging @meetdiyjack? We’d love to see just how creative you’ve been with your small spaces!