9 Edible Flowers That Thrive in Pots and Containers

Anise Hyssop

Blooming in the summer through the fall, anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) is beautiful to look at and attracts beneficial insects to the garden.

"The tall purple flower spikes attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, while the leaves and flowers have a sweet, licorice-mint flavor that’s perfect for teas, salads, or desserts," says Sandra Mao, author of Vibrant Harvest. "Grow it in a deep container so the taproot has sufficient space."

Want more flowers? Regularly deadheading encourages more blooms, while also keeping the plant looking healthy and tidy.

• Zones: 4 to 8
• Size: 24 to 42 inches tall x 12 to 16 inches wide
• Care Requirements: Full to partial shade; dry to average, well-draining soil

Borage

A bright, five-petal, bluish flower, borage (Borago officinalis) tastes like a cucumber.

"Its edible flowers, leaves, and stems make a lovely ingredient in lots of summertime drinks and meals," says Kim Stoddart, homesteader and author of The Climate Change-Resilient Vegetable Garden.

Grow them in a spacious pot with plenty of depth—Stoddart recommends at least 12 inches—and place them in an area that receives a lot of sunlight.

Borage flowers attract pollinators, but you'll also want to harvest them often. "Harvesting regularly encourages more blooms and helps prevent self-seeding," she adds.

• Zones: 2 to 11
• Size: 12 to 36 inches tall x 9 to 18 inches wide
• Care Requirements: Partial to full sun; well-draining soil

Calendula

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) has bright orange or yellow flowers, and grows well in pots. These blooms can be tossed in salads for a tangy and peppery taste.

"They instantly make a dish look like a party, without adding a distinctive flavor," says C.L. Fornari, author of nine gardening books and a member of the National Garden Bureau.

Choose a medium-sized pot. Deadhead or pinch back spent flowers regularly to keep the plant blooming.

• Zones: 2 to 11
• Size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
• Care Requirements: Partial to full sun; well-draining soil
  

Lavender

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a perennial shrub with fragrant purple flowers. "[They] have a sweet, floral flavor that works well in teas, cookies, lemonade, and even savory dishes," says Mao.

When growing lavender in a container, make sure there are holes at the bottom and that water drains well. "The soil should be very lean, so a cactus mix combined with just a little regular potting mix is ideal," says Denise Schreiber, horticulturist and author of Eat Your Roses.

Schreiber recommends the 'Phenomenal' or 'Big Time Blue' varieties for growing in pots. Containers should be "at least 12 to 14 inches wide and 10 to 12 inches deep," she adds.

• Zones: 5a to 9a
• Size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 2 to 4 feet wide
• Care Requirements: Full sun; slightly alkaline, well-draining soil
  

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus) are a welcome sight in the garden, with bright orange to yellow blooms and big green leaves.

"Their flowers and leaves are both edible, and they'll also protect the soil from drying out so quickly during the summer," says Stoddart.

Some nasturtium varieties have a bushy habit, while others are trailing or climbing. Use the type that best suits your container.

"This plant is happiest when grown in a well-drained potting mix; don’t plant nasturtiums in an overly rich compost," says Fornari. She grows them in a large box or pot just outside her kitchen door, so she can easily harvest the flowers for a dish.

• Zones: 9 to 11
• Size: Up to 16 inches tall, both mounding and trailing
• Care Requirements: Well-drained fertile soil, full to filtered light
  

Pansies

These vibrant blooms are part of the same family as violas, but pansies (Viola × wittrockiana) produce bigger flowers. Choose from a range of hues, including purple, blue, red, and pink.

Pansy petals are delicious in salads or adorning a savory or sweet dish. These flowers are easy to grow and can tolerate the cold, too.

"Growing them in containers allows you to keep them watered and fertilized on a regular basis," says Schreiber.

• Zone: 6 to 10
• Size: 6 to 12 inches
• Care Requirements: Full sun to part shade, medium watering, well-drained soil

Roses

Roses have a wonderful scent, and the petals are edible too. However, many rose bushes need a lot of space to grow, so consider trying smaller varieties that you can plant in pots.

"A miniature or patio rose is a wonderful addition to salads, desserts (especially ice cream), or a cooling summer drink," says Schreiber.

"The bigger the container, the better, to give roots a chance to spread and seek wider nourishment," adds Stoddart. 'Sun Sprinkles' is a variety Schreiber recommends for its "bright yellow flowers and a light, spicy scent, which translates to its flavor." 

Make sure to use a good potting mix, provide rose food, as well as plenty of water— roses are heavy feeders.

• Zones: 6 to 9
• Size: Depends on variety
• Care Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil
  

Tulips

Tulip (Tulipa) bulbs are planted in the fall for spring blooms, and come in several hues, like yellow, orange, magenta, red, and purple. These bright and cheerful plants work well in spring salads and can grow in large containers.

"Use very large boxes or troughs with drainage holes that can stay outside in the winter, and fill them with new, fresh potting mix before you plant the bulbs," says Fornari. Once the tulips have bloomed and died back, you can reuse the container and soil for summer annuals.

• Zones: 3 to 8
• Size: 9 to 24 inches tall
• Care Requirements: Full sun; well-drained soil

Viola

Violas (var. hortensis) come in numerous colors, including purple, pink, yellow, orange, and white.

"Violas are a diminutive member of the violet group with smaller flowers," says Schreiber. "They tolerate not only colder (not freezing) temperatures, but they will last longer in warmer temperatures, too."

Make sure to water them regularly to keep them happy and blooming.

• Zone: 2 to 9
• Size: 3 to 10 inches tall x 3 to 12 inches wide
• Care Requirements: Partial to full sun; well-drained soil