How to Grow Edible Flowers in Containers: A Guide for Small Urban Gardens
- Chelsea
- Sep 17
- 2 min read
Growing edible flowers is one of my favorite ways to bring the outdoors in and add a unique farm-to-table touch to everyday meals. The best part? You don’t need a big backyard to enjoy them. I’ve grown all of these flowers in my small urban garden and some of them thrive in pots and containers on a patio, balcony, or even a sunny windowsill.
Whether you want to elevate a salad, garnish desserts, or simply add more beauty to your garden space, edible flowers are an easy and rewarding choice. Here are six of my favorite edible flowers for small-space and container gardening:
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I love and use in my own garden.
1. Borage
With its stunning star-shaped blue flowers, borage is a showstopper in any container garden. The blooms taste a bit like cucumber and are perfect for floating in summer drinks or sprinkling over fresh fruit. Since borage can grow tall, I recommend planting it in a medium-to-large pot to give it room to spread.
These cheerful, colorful blooms are edible, mild in flavor, and perfect for garnishing cakes, salads, or cocktails. They thrive in cooler months, making them an excellent choice for fall or early spring container gardening.
3. Calendula
Known as “poor man’s saffron,” calendula adds both beauty and practicality to an urban garden. Its golden petals brighten up rice dishes, soups, and even scrambled eggs. Calendula is hardy, grows easily in containers, and rewards you with continuous blooms.
4. Nasturtium
If you want an edible flower that doubles as an ornamental trailing plant, nasturtiums are perfect. Both the leaves and flowers are edible with a peppery bite—delicious in fresh salads or sandwiches. They spill beautifully over the edges of pots, making them ideal for small balconies or raised beds.
These whimsical blue blooms don’t have a strong flavor, but they add a charming touch to cakes, teas, and salads. They’re easy to grow in containers and bring a pop of vibrant color to compact garden spaces. These are my favorite for flower sprinkles!
Sweet alyssum produces clusters of tiny, fragrant flowers that attract pollinators while being edible themselves. The blossoms are mildly peppery and work well as a garnish. I love planting them along the edges of containers for a soft, cascading look. These will bush out but you can cut them back generously and continue to grow depending on your zone.
Why Grow Edible Flowers in Containers?
Edible flowers aren’t just pretty, they’re functional, delicious, and perfectly suited for urban gardeners. Growing them in containers allows you to:
Save space in small gardens or patios
Easily move plants to follow the sun
Keep fresh blooms right outside your kitchen door
With just a few pots and a sunny spot, you can enjoy the flavor and beauty of edible flowers year-round. They bring pollinators to your space, connect you to the seasons, and add a little bit of magic to every meal.
Comments