Shallow-rooted plants deserve a lot more attention than they’re given. In fact, they’re one of the best types of plants to grow if you have limited planting space.
Since they don’t grow an extensive root system, they can be planted in small containers or nearby structures. Hence, you can enjoy their beauty and company without having to worry about them.
There are several different kinds of shallow-rooted plants, from vegetables to flowering annuals. Read on as we do a comprehensive run-through of each!
1. Cabbage
Scientific Name | Brassica oleracea var. capitata |
Common Name(s) | Cabbage |
Family | Brassicaceae |
Origin | Europe |
Unique Characteristics | • Thick, alternating leaves • Outer leaves are typically darker colored and become lighter the closer to the core • Come in pink, red, blue, purple, white, cream, lavender, and green |
Sun Exposure | Full |
Mature Size | 1-2 ft. tall, 1-2 ft. wide |
Water Requirements | 1 in. per week |
Soil Type | Loamy, well-drained |
Soil pH | 6-7 pH |
Spacing Requirements | 18-24 in. apart |
Cabbage is pretty easy to grow in shallow containers because their roots only grow down to between 18 to 36 inches. Thus, they’re perfect for small and shallow containers.
Cabbage is a cool-season vegetable.As a result, they’ll need to be sown around 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost.
Planter’s Tip: If the climate you live in is quite dry and hot, avoid planting until the late summer or when temperatures are the coolest.
Once your seedlings are about 4 to 6 inches tall, they’re ready to be transplanted into their containers.
After 2 to 3 weeks, you can add nitrogen-rich fertilizer to boost growth and development.
In 70 to 120 days, you can expect firm and sizeable heads of cabbage that are ready to be harvested and enjoyed.
2. Lettuce
Scientific Name | Lactuca sativa |
Common Name(s) | Lettuce |
Family | Asteraceae (or Compositae) |
Origin | Middle East |
Unique Characteristics | • Loose, lanceolate-shaped leaves • Leaves grow alternately Leaves typically have a notched, frilly, scalloped, or ruffle edging depending on the lettuce variety • • Can come in green or red colors Short stem and typically light green to white |
Sun Exposure | Full |
Mature Size | 6-12 in. tall, 6-9 in. wide |
Water Requirements | 1 in. weekly |
Soil Type | Loamy, well-drained |
Soil pH | 6.0-6.5 pH |
Spacing Requirements | 6-18 in. |
Ideally, the temperature of your soil should be anywhere from 45°F/7°C to 65°F/18°C to grow lettuce. Seeds should be sown about 2-4 weeks before the last spring frost date.
For the best batch, ensure that you use loamy, well-draining soil that’s only slightly acidic. If you’re not confident in the quality of your soil, we suggest mixing in some nitrogen-rich amendments like manure, compost, and fertilizer.
Lettuces are quite vocal vegetables which means it’ll be pretty easy to tell when they’re thirsty. If you notice wilting leaves, simply give them a quick spritz of water.
Planter’s Tip: Proper watering should be light, often, and consistent. Pay close attention to how your plant responds to the amount of water you’re giving it.
Within 30 to 70 days, your lettuce should be mature and ready to be harvested.
3. Kale
Scientific Name | Brassica oleracea var. sabellica |
Common Name(s) | Kale |
Family | Brassicaceae |
Origin | • Southeastern Europe Western regions of Asia |
Unique Characteristics | • Densely frilly leaves with wavy-edges • Leaves are long, narrow, and don’t form a head • Typically dark green to dark purple-red in color |
Sun Exposure | Full to partial shade |
Mature Size | 1-2 ft. tall, 1-2 ft. wide |
Water Requirements | 1-½ in. per week |
Soil Type | Firm, well-drained |
Soil pH | 6.5-6.8 pH |
Spacing Requirements | 18-24 in. |
Did someone say kale smoothie? With a root depth of only 12 to 18 inches, kale plants don’t need that much space and are one of the perfect veggies to grow in a small area.
Did you know that to harvest kale you can simply pinch off the outer leaves and leave the center to continue growing? That’ll give you an endless supply!
Kale loves soil that’s firm and well-drained, so we suggest adding nutrient-rich materials such as manure and compost for the best yields.
Planter’s Tip: For healthy leaf growth, mix nitrogen-rich materials into your soil. These include grass clippings, plant cuttings, and vegetable scraps, among other green matter.
Aaround 60 days after sowing, your kale should be ready for harvesting. If you simply can’t wait, it’s worth noting that young kale leaves also taste great in fresh salads.
4. Onion
Scientific Name | Allium cepa |
Common Name(s) | Onion |
Family | Amaryllidaceae |
Origin | Southwestern Asia |
Unique Characteristics | • Hollow, tubular leaves • Round bulb that’s typically white or cream with a yellow-orange or purple-colored skin • Thin, white roots that extend from the base of the bulb |
Sun Exposure | Full |
Mature Size | 12-18 in. tall, 6-8 in. wide |
Water Requirements | 1 in. weekly |
Soil Type | Loamy, well-drained |
Soil pH | 6.5-8 pH |
Spacing Requirements | 6-18 in. |
Their roots grow up to 27 inches, but you can get away with planting them in a container that’s at least 10 inches deep.
At your seed’s early growing stage, we suggest increasing the amount of fertilizer that you give them since they’re quite heavy feeders.
You’ll be able to tell that your onion plant is ready to be harvested when its long, hollow, bright green leaves begin to collapse. This could be after about 3 to 4 months since sowing.
5. Spinach
Scientific Name | Spinacia oleracea |
Common Name(s) | Spinach |
Family | Amaranthaceae |
Origin | • North America • Central America • South America • Asia |
Unique Characteristics | • Compact, upright leaves • Rosette-shaped • Glossy, smooth, dark green-colored foliage |
Sun Exposure | Full, partial sun |
Mature Size | 8-12 in. tall, 6-12 in. wide |
Water Requirements | 1-1.5 in. weekly |
Soil Type | Loam, moist, well-drained |
Soil pH | 6.5-7.0 pH |
Spacing Requirements | 6-12 in. |
Did you know that spinach has one of the shortest roots on this list? In fact, they only need about 4 to 6 inches of space, so you can get away with growing them in mason jars.
Planter’s Tip: For the best-tasting spinach, add water-soluble fertilizers for optimal absorption.
To grow spinach, you’ll first need to ensure that your soil is workable. As a cool-season crop, spinach needs about 6 weeks of consistently cool weather to develop properly.
In about 6 to 8 weeks, your spinach should be ready to be harvested. You can either remove the outermost leaves or simply cut off the entire head with a sharp knife.
6. Radish
Scientific Name | Raphanus sativus |
Common Name(s) | Radish |
Family | Brassicaceae |
Origin | Asia |
Unique Characteristics | • Either spherical or carrot-shaped depending on the variety • Come in a variety of colors such as white, pink, purple, red, green, and yellow. |
Sun Exposure | Full |
Mature Size | 6-8 in. tall |
Water Requirements | 1 in. weekly |
Soil Type | Loamy, sandy, well-drained |
Soil pH | 6-7 pH |
Spacing Requirements | 3 in. |
What’s great about growing radishes is that they can be grown in both the spring and fall as long as they’re sown when temperatures are at least 70°F/21°C.
When it comes to soil type, radishes aren’t that picky and can do well in loamy, sandy, and moist soil types as long as they’re well-draining and have a pH level of 6 to 7.
Similar to onions, you can tell that radishes are ready to be harvested when their bulbs are popping out of the ground. In a way, they’re coming out to say “Hi!” and that they’re ready to go.
7. Garlic
Scientific Name | Allium sativum |
Common Name(s) | Garlic |
Family | Amaryllidaceae |
Origin | Central Asia |
Unique Characteristics | |
Sun Exposure | Full |
Mature Size | 18-24 in. tall |
Water Requirements | 1-2 in. weekly |
Soil Type | Moist, well-drained |
Soil pH | 6.0-7.0 pH |
Spacing Requirements | 5-10 in. |
Perfect for virtually any type of dish, this knotted little bulb grows roots anywhere from 4 to 11 inches.
Planter’s Tip: Avoid sowing store-bought garlic because they’ve probably already been treated with chemicals. Instead, only buy locally grown garlic from a trusted organic supplier.
Sow your garlic before the heavy frost. While this sounds completely crazy, this is the perfect time to sow your garlic in time for spring considering how long it takes to grow.
In fact, garlic plants do better when they experience dormancy during the wintertime. Give them around 4 to 8 weeks and they’ll be ready to “wake up” and start growing leaves.
Planter’s Tip: If your local weather conditions appear harsh, we suggest adding mulch to your top soil for added insulation. You can also wrap the pot with warm cloth or even move it close to a source of heat as long as it still receives full sun.
8. Arugula
Scientific Name | Eruca vesicaria |
Common Name(s) | • Arugula • Salad Rocket • Roquette • Roka |
Family | Brassicaceae |
Origin | Mediterranean |
Unique Characteristics | • Grows rosette basal leaves • Leaves are deeply lobed and grow low to the ground |
Sun Exposure | Full |
Mature Size | 2-3 ft. tall, 1-1.5 ft. wide |
Water Requirements | |
Soil Type | Loamy, moist, well-drained |
Soil pH | 6.0-7.0 pH |
Spacing Requirements |
A great addition to any type of salad thanks to its peppery taste, this leafy green only grows to about 2 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 1.5 feet wide.
With a shallow root system only growing to about 6 inches, arugula needs to be watered consistently and frequently to keep the soil moist.
As a cool-season crop, it’s a no-brainer that arugula prefers cooler temperatures. You can grow them once temperatures hit 45°F/7°C or 55°F/12°C.
9. Rhododendron
Scientific Name | Rhododendron arboreum |
Common Name(s) | Rhododendron |
Family | Ericaceae |
Origin | • Asia • Australia • North America • Europe |
Unique Characteristics | • Has bright colored flowers typically in pink, purple, white, orange, yellow, and red hues • Blooms are showy and semi bell-shaped with 10 or more stamens • Long, lancet-shaped leaves which are typically a bright green color |
Sun Exposure | Dappled sunlight |
Mature Size | 2-20 ft. tall, 3-15 ft. wide |
Water Requirements | 1-2 in. weekly |
Soil Type | Moist, well-drained |
Soil pH | 4.5-6.0 pH |
Spacing Requirements | 2-6 ft. apart |
Rhododendron roots are quite fine and look similar to hair. They also only grow to about 1-2 feet deep.
While their roots aren’t deep, they grow wide to be able to catch as much water as they can before it all travels to the bottom of the soil.
Thus, you’ll want to water them more frequently during the first few years of their growing period, giving about 1-2 inches of water each week.
Planter’s Tip: Since rhododendrons need a strong acidic environment, mixing in pine bark or straw helps acidify the soil as they decompose.
It’s important to remember that rhododendrons are toxic to both humans and animals. They contain a toxin called grayanotoxins which can cause serious problems when ingested.
10. Azaleas
Scientific Name | Rhododendron spp. |
Common Name(s) | Azaleas |
Family | Ericaceae |
Origin | • East Asia • North America • Europe |
Unique Characteristics | • Funnel-shaped blooms with 2 lips and 5 stamens • Small, lancet-shaped leaves • Loosely branched |
Sun Exposure | Dappled sunlight |
Mature Size | 3-20 ft. tall, 3-20 ft. wide |
Water Requirements | 1-1.5 in. weekly |
Soil Type | Moist, well-drained |
Soil pH | 4.5-6.0 pH |
Spacing Requirements | 3 ft. apart |
What’s great about azaleas is that they’re relatively low-maintenance, so even those without a green thumb will be able to care for them. Though, you’ll need to ensure that they’re in the right environment and are given basic care.
Azaleas thrive in acidic and nutrient-rich soil. So your first step would be to make sure that your soil is jam-packed with all the resources needed to ensure the best root development.
Planter’s Tip: Use rainwater to water your azaleas as tap water may have too much alkaline content.
Azalea prefers dappled sunlight so you’ll need to provide adequate shade to prevent the soil from drying out. Choose a spot that receives indirect sunlight and has a cool temperature between 60.8°F/16°C to 64°F/18°C.
11. Hydrangeas
Scientific Name | Hydrangea spp. |
Common Name(s) | Hydrangea |
Family | Hydrangeaceae |
Origin | • North America • Asia |
Unique Characteristics | • Showy flowers with brightly colored sepals • Typically grow a cluster of blooms in a ball-like shape • Flowers are typically pink, blue, lavender and rarely white |
Sun Exposure | Full, partial |
Mature Size | 2-20 ft. tall, 2-6 ft. wide |
Water Requirements | 1-2 in. weekly |
Soil Type | Sandy-loam, well-drained |
Soil pH | 5.5-6.6 pH |
Spacing Requirements | 7-11 ft. apart |
Hydrangea roots branch out but don’t extend longer than 6 inches. Having said that, it’s important to practice proper watering techniques to reduce the risk of your hydrangea getting infections or diseases.
Hydrangeas require at least 1 inch of water each week and a bit more throughout the growing season and during hot and dry weather. Depending on the climate, they may need deep soaks a couple of times a week.
Aside from water, sunlight also plays a role in their flower quality and quantity. Too much or too little sun could decrease their productivity.
Planter’s Tip: Position your hydrangeas in a place that gets a lot of morning sun and then shaded or dappled sunlight during the afternoons.
12. Hosta
Scientific Name | Hosta |
Common Name(s) | • Hosta • Plantain lilies |
Family | Asparagaceae |
Origin | Eastern Asia |
Unique Characteristics | • Foliage come in white, lime green, and blue-green colors, among others • Produce white, light blue, pink, or purple blooms • Texture of its leaves can be veined, puckered, or smooth depending on the variety |
Sun Exposure | Partial, dappled |
Mature Size | 6-48 in. tall, 10-60 in. wide |
Water Requirements | 1-2 in. weekly |
Soil Type | Loamy, well-drained |
Soil pH | 6.5-7.5 pH |
Spacing Requirements | 1-5 ft. apart |
Hostas are well-liked for how low maintenance they are. So you don’t have to worry about not having a green thumb when caring for these plants.
They prefer loamy and well-drained soil that’s slightly acidic. It’s important that whatever container there is has adequate drainage because hostas are prone to crown rot.
Come the wintertime, hostas enter a dormancy phase to reset their growth cycle. For about 6 weeks, they’ll be in “hibernation” until temperatures are higher than 42°F/5°C.
If you live in a cold climate, be wary of your hostas freezing up. Generally, temperatures should be no less than 33°F/0°C or else you run the risk of your plants freezing.
13. Petunias
Scientific Name | Petunia spp. |
Common Name(s) | Petunia |
Family | Solanaceae |
Origin | South Africa |
Unique Characteristics | • Blooms come in a variety of colors in solids, contrasting edges, or patterns • Some varieties have a sweet fragrance |
Sun Exposure | Full |
Mature Size | 6-8 in. tall, 18-44in. wide |
Water Requirements | 1-2 in. weekly |
Soil Type | Moist, well-drained |
Soil pH | 6.0-7.0 pH |
Spacing Requirements | 12-18 in. apart |
To get the most out of your petunia plant, pinch a couple inches off the top to encourage branching. Think of it as giving your plant a little haircut to help it to become fuller in the future.
Despite its shallow roots, they can grow a spread that’s 18 to 44 inches wide. Thus, they can be used as a decorative groundcover.
You’ll also want to give them a ton of sunlight, but be wary of intense heat as this could cause your soil to dry out and even shock your plant.
Petunias also need regular watering to ensure that its blooms remain vibrant and vigorous throughout the summertime.
Planter’s Tip: Plants grown in containers will need fertilizing because its nutrients get washed out and don’t get replenished.
Add a dose of slow-release fertilizer monthly to help boost the nutrition levels of the soil, increase your plant’s productivity, and improve its health.
14. Zinnias
Scientific Name | Zinnia elegans |
Common Name(s) | Zinnia |
Family | Asteraceae |
Origin | • Mexico • Central America |
Unique Characteristics | • Foliage colors range from pale to mid-green • Sometimes blooms come in bi-color and tri-color varieties • Flowers are usually shades of white, yellow, orange, pink, red, and purple • Depending on the variety, flowers can come in shapes similar to buttons, domes, spiders, daisies, and stars. |
Sun Exposure | Full |
Mature Size | 1-4ft. tall, 6-18 in. wide |
Water Requirements | 1 in. weekly |
Soil Type | Moist, well-drained |
Soil pH | 5.5-7.5 pH |
Spacing Requirements | 4-24 in. apart |
Zinnias are underrated can’t-kill flowers that are great for those just starting their gardening journey. With their shallow roots, these low-maintenance blooms will have even the smallest pot looking packed with flowers.
To aid in quicker flower production, it’s recommended to add rich organic matter such as compost. While you’re at it, you can add soil amendments, too, for more nutrients.
Zinnias are a bit sensitive to colder weather. In particular, they don’t fare well against frost. Hence, they should be planted a few weeks after your last local frost.
They also are pretty drought resistant so they won’t be affected by dry spells or sizzling summers. If you listen closely, you may be able to hear them say “Bring the heat on!”.
15. Tarragon
Scientific Name | Artemisia dracunculus |
Common Name(s) | • Tarragon • Estragon |
Family | Asteraceae |
Origin | • Siberia • Europe • North America |
Unique Characteristics | • Highly aromatic • Small, long, narrow leaves with a pointed tip • Bright green-colored leaves that grow densely • Typically produces white or yellow flowers in small clusters |
Sun Exposure | Partial, dappled sunlight |
Mature Size | 24-36 in. tall, 12-15 in. wide |
Water Requirements | 1-1.5 in. weekly |
Soil Type | Sandy, well-drained |
Soil pH | 6.5-7.5 pH |
Spacing Requirements | 18-24 in. apart |
Tarragon grows well in virtually any type of soil as long as it’s well-drained and has a high nutrient content. Thus, be sure to add organic matter for extra support.
Despite having a shallow root system, they’re extensive and vigorous which makes them tolerant to dry conditions, even when faced with extreme drought.
It’s recommended to harvest the younger leaves because they have a stronger scent and taste than their older counterparts. Having said this, you’ll want to harvest them regularly so that they keep producing leaves.
16. Borage
Scientific Name | Borago officinalis |
Common Name(s) | • Borage • Starflower |
Family | Boraginaceae |
Origin | Mediterranean region |
Unique Characteristics | • Blue, white, and pink colored blooms • Typically has 5 narrow petals with pointed tips • Bristly stems and leaves |
Sun Exposure | Full, partial sun |
Mature Size | 2-3 ft. tall, 9-18 in. wide |
Water Requirements | 0.5-1 in. weekly |
Soil Type | Moist, well-drained |
Soil pH | 4.8-8.3 pH |
Spacing Requirements | 9-18 in. apart |
The best way to grow borage is by sowing seeds because they have a pretty good germination rate. Thus, even the most inexperienced gardener can have a crack at it!
When choosing where to place your borage plant, pick a location that receives full sun. This will optimize flower production which means more blooms to admire.
As for the soil, borage isn’t too picky as long as it’s of good quality that drains well. You can mix in organic matter such as mulch or compost for added nutrients, especially if your soil’s a bit compacted.
17. Basil
Scientific Name | Ocimum basilicum |
Common Name(s) | Sweet Basil |
Family | Lamiaceae |
Origin | India |
Unique Characteristics | • Oblong or oval-shaped leaves with slightly toothed edges and a pointed ti • Foliage is typically a bright, deep green color with a glossy texture. • Leaves grow opposite one another • Produces purplish-white flowers Slightly hairy and textured stem |
Sun Exposure | Full, partial sun |
Mature Size | 12-24 in. tall and wide |
Water Requirements | 1-2 in. weekly |
Soil Type | Moist, well-drained |
Soil pH | 6.0-7.5 pH |
Spacing Requirements | 10-12 in. apart |
Basil can grow to be bushy in as quick as 4 weeks once you’ve got the ball rolling! When choosing which location to put your basil plant, opt for a space that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of full sun.
The soil should be fertile, so don’t skimp out on adding organic matter and fertilizer to boost your basil’s productivity. If you’ll be harvesting its leaves for culinary use, you’ll need to keep your plant in tip-top shape.
They should be given about 1 to 2 inches of water weekly, especially during drier months.
Continuously harvest and prune your basil plant to encourage new growth. This is especially important since basil is an annual which means that it’ll die after the growing season and will need to be replanted each spring.
18. Rosemary
Scientific Name | Salvia rosmarinus |
Common Name(s) | Rosemary |
Family | Lamiaceae |
Origin | Mediterranean region |
Unique Characteristics | • Fragrant greenish-gray colored leaves • Thick, leathery leaves that look similar to pine needles • Leaves are narrow with a rounded tip • Produces flowers that are typically white, purple, or blue • Look similar to shrubs given their dense clusters • Grayish-brown, woody stem |
Sun Exposure | Full sun |
Mature Size | 2-6 ft. tall, 2-4 ft. wide |
Water Requirements | 0.5 in. weekly |
Soil Type | Moist, well-drained |
Soil pH | 6.0-7.0 pH |
Spacing Requirements | 2-3 ft. apart |
A slow-growing plant, rosemary likes to take its time so if you’re in a hurry, you’re most probably better off purchasing a seedling from your local nursery.
This is important to space them about 2 to 3 feet apart from one another because with how dense they become, the high humidity and poor ventilation can increase the chances of rot and fungal diseases.
At most, rosemary can grow to be about 6 feet tall. Even then, don’t worry too much about how deep your pot should be since their roots only grow to about 12 inches on average.
As a warm-season crop, rosemary plants have a good heat tolerance which means they’re quite drought resistant. For them, ideal temperatures are between 55°F/12°C to 80°F/26°C.
19. Celery
Scientific Name | Apium graveolens |
Common Name(s) | Celery |
Family | Apiaceae |
Origin | Mediterranean region |
Unique Characteristics | • Grows creamy white flowers in dense compounds • Thick, furrowed, bright green stalk • Bright green, wedge-shaped leaves • Hollow petioles |
Sun Exposure | Full sun |
Mature Size | 18-24 in. tall, 3-7 in. wide |
Water Requirements | 1-2 in. weekly |
Soil Type | Loose, well-drained |
Soil pH | 5.8-6.8 pH |
Spacing Requirements | 12 in. apart |
Celery’s small root system primarily results in slow growth and sensitivity to movement so you’ll want to limit disturbing the root.
Keep in mind that celery can’t tolerate high temperatures so be sure that it doesn’t fall below 40°F/4°C or else your celery plant could start bolting.
85 to 120 days after transplant, you can begin harvesting your crunchy celery.
20. Dill
Scientific Name | Anethum graveolens |
Common Name(s) | Dill |
Family | Apiaceae |
Origin | • North Africa • Iran • Arabian Peninsula |
Unique Characteristics | • Fern or fennel-like appearance with fine, alternate, feathery leaves • Foliage is typically bluish-green • Grows clusters of small yellow flowers • Has tall, thin stalks |
Sun Exposure | Full |
Mature Size | 24-36 in. tall, 4-8 in. wide |
Water Requirements | 1 in. weekly |
Soil Type | Sandy, loam, well-drained |
Soil pH | 5.0-7.0 pH |
Spacing Requirements | 10-12 in. apart |
One of dill’s best selling points is that it’s a self-seeding annual which means that it technically plants itself. Thus, you can leave it as it is to grow the following year.
In about 14 to 28 days you can begin harvesting your dill. We encourage you to frequently trim your plant to boost productivity, which means you’ll be able to pick more yields.
To keep your dill happy, you’ll need to plant it in soil that’s a mixture of sandy and loamy, but well-draining.
It’s worth mentioning that dill needs the soil to be constantly moist, but not soaking wet or else it’ll be susceptible to rot and diseases.
FAQs
Shallow-rooted plants have a small root system, typically only taking up the first couple of inches of soil.
Having shallow roots often results in plants drying out because their roots don’t extend far enough to retrieve moisture deep in the soil. Thus, gardeners will need to water more frequently to keep the moisture levels high enough.
Aside from that, shallow-rooted plants don’t have a grip that’s sturdy enough to withstand high winds. Hence, taller varieties will most likely need structural support.
Having shallow roots means that your plant’s roots can absorb the nutrients from the soil a lot quicker than plants with longer roots. Because its roots are closer to the top, it can cut absorption time in half.
You can boost moisture retention in the soil by adding soil amendments such as coconut coir, clippings, and compost, among others.
Alternatively, adding a layer of mulch acts as a protective barrier against the heat of the sun and helps regulate the soil’s temperature.