13 Fast-Growing Veggies You Can Grow in Small Spaces
Why Fast-Growing Veggies Are Perfect for Small Space Gardening
Want to grow your own veggies but don’t have much space? No problem! You don’t need a huge garden to enjoy fresh, homegrown food.
Some veggies grow super fast and thrive in pots, making them perfect for balconies, patios, or even windowsills.
Here are 13 quick-growing veggies that are easy to grow, even in tiny spaces!
1. Lettuce – Quick-Growing Greens for Small Space Gardens in 30 Days!
Lettuce is one of the easiest and most rewarding veggies to grow. It loves cooler weather, so it's perfect for spring and fall, and you can start picking baby leaves in just 30 days! It doesn’t need much room, making it ideal for containers. Keep snipping the outer leaves, and the plant will keep growing for weeks.
Temperature Needs: 10-20°C (50-70°F)
2. Arugula – A Peppery Punch & Easy Vegetable to Grow in Pots in Just 20 Days
If you like a little spice in your salads, arugula is a great choice. It grows super fast—ready to eat in about 20 days! It thrives in mild weather, so spring and fall are the best times to grow it. For a continuous supply, plant new seeds every couple of weeks.
Temperature Needs: 10-20°C (50-70°F)
3. Spinach – Beginner-Friendly Veggie for Container Gardening
Spinach is packed with vitamins and grows well indoors or outdoors. It prefers cooler temperatures, so it’s happiest in spring and fall. If you give it some shade and keep the soil rich, you’ll have tender leaves to harvest in just a few weeks.
Temperature Needs: 10-20°C (50-70°F)
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4. Beets – Grow Edible Roots & Greens in Small Spaces
Beets are a double win—you get delicious greens within a few weeks and the roots in about 45 days. They like rich, well-drained soil and do great in deep pots. They don’t mind a bit of cool weather, so plant them in early spring or fall for the best results.
Temperature Needs: 10-25°C (50-77°F)
5. Radish – Super Fast-Growing Veggies for Containers
Radishes are one of the speediest veggies you can grow—some varieties are ready in as little as 24 days! They love mild weather, making spring and fall the best seasons to plant them. Since they grow so quickly, you can keep sowing seeds every couple of weeks for a steady supply.
Temperature Needs: 10-25°C (50-77°F)
6. Asian Greens – Easy Vegetables to Grow Year-Round & Thrive in Small Spaces
Asian greens like bok choy and tatsoi are low-maintenance and do well in small containers. They love mild weather and grow best in spring and fall. Keep the soil moist, and you’ll have fresh, tender leaves in just a few weeks.
Temperature Needs: 15-25°C (59-77°F)
These fast growers are also ideal for aquaponics setups! Learn more about getting started with mini aquaponics at home.
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Whether you're starting a balcony garden or diving into DIY aquaponics, these fast-growing vegetables are perfect for getting quick results in small spaces. Want more gardening tips for beginners? Explore the blog or sign up for the free Aquaponics Essentials course!
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7. Green Onion – Regrows After Harvesting Indoors or in Pots
Green onions are a must-have for any small-space garden. They grow fast—ready in about three to four weeks—and you can keep trimming them, and they’ll regrow! They don’t need much space, making them perfect for small pots or even a windowsill.
Temperature Needs: 10-25°C (50-77°F)
8. Sprouts – No-Soil, Super Quick Harvest at Home
If you want almost instant results, sprouts are the way to go! You don’t even need soil—just a jar, some sprouting seeds, and water. In about a week, you’ll have crunchy, nutrient-packed greens perfect for salads and sandwiches. They love warm indoor temperatures, so you can grow them year-round.
Temperature Needs: 20-25°C (68-77°F)
9. Fenugreek – Small Space Summer Gardening Superfood
Fenugreek is a powerhouse plant with edible leaves and seeds. It thrives in warm weather, so it’s best to grow it in summer. If you soak the seeds overnight before planting, they’ll sprout even faster!
Temperature Needs: 20-30°C (68-86°F)
10. Peas – Easy, Rewarding and Fast-Growing Cool Weather Veggies for Pots
Peas are one of the easiest crops to grow. They love cool weather and do best in spring and fall. If you give them something to climb, like a small trellis, they’ll produce plenty of sweet, crunchy pods. The best part? They don’t need much space to thrive!
Temperature Needs: 10-20°C (50-70°F)
11. Kale – A Hardy, Easy-to-Grow Nutrient-Packed Super Green for Year-Round Gardening
Kale is a hardy green that keeps producing for months. It loves cool weather and can even survive a light frost. Keep picking the outer leaves, and the plant will keep growing, giving you fresh greens for weeks.
Temperature Needs: 5-20°C (41-70°F)
Looking for other veggies you can grow throughout the year? Check out this list of 10 easy-to-grow vegetables that thrive all year round.
12. Okra – Heat-Loving Veggie for Container Gardens
If you’re in a warm climate, okra is a fantastic choice. It thrives in hot summer weather and grows quickly. The pods are ready to pick in just a few weeks and taste amazing grilled or fried.
Temperature Needs: 25-35°C (77-95°F)
13. Mustard Greens – Spicy, Quick-Growing Veg for Small Gardens
Mustard greens are a great way to add a bold, peppery kick to your meals. They grow super fast—ready to harvest in just a few weeks! They love cool weather, so spring and fall are the best times to plant them. For the best flavour, pick the young leaves.
Temperature Needs: 10-25°C (50-77°F)
Ready to Grow Your Own Food? Pick a Veggie & Try Aquaponics!
You don’t need a big backyard to grow fresh veggies! With the right containers and a little care, you can enjoy homegrown food in just a few weeks. Whether it’s leafy greens, crunchy radishes, or flavourful herbs, growing your own vegetables is fun, easy, and rewarding!
Curious about pairing these veggies with fish? Discover the best aquaponics fish options for small systems.
Learn More About Aquaponics
Check out the COURSES page to learn how you can get started with aquaponics now. Click HERE.
Check out My YouTube Channel 'Candy The Aquaponics Lady'
Aquaponics is an ecosystem, and with anything it takes time to learn how it works. So, sit back and binge watch my 'how to' playlist and the 'Water Quality Made Simple' Playlist, and learn the next steps in your aquaponics system as you create the ecosystem.
Here are the next 2 videos I recommend you watching to create your ecosystem ~ before you add any fish
How Aquaponics Works as an Ecosystem
Why Aquaponics is the best, and most sustainable form of gardening in small spaces
Learn More About Aquaponics
Check out the COURSES page to learn how you can get started with aquaponics now. Click HERE.
Want to get your Eyes and Hands on the FREE Online Aquaponics Essentials Course?
This is a great free resource to really understand how aquaponics is a sustainable ecosystem that will grow your organic food is a productive way.
You learn how all the 'parts' make up the 'whole', and helps to give you the foundations of understanding aquaponics.
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Want to help out and Feed my Fish?? (They don't drink coffee)
Candy Alexander is a dedicated aquaponics enthusiast with a wealth of formal training in aquaculture. Over the past 15 years, Candy has been deeply immersed in both commercial and backyard aquaponics, honing her skills and expertise in this sustainable farming method.
Candy's passion lies in making aquaponics accessible to everyone. With a mission to simplify aquaponics, she believes that anyone can embark on this sustainable journey.
She encourages those new to aquaponics to "kick the tires" without a significant financial investment. Her guidance focuses on helping people start their aquaponics journey with small-scale systems, ensuring a low barrier to entry for newcomers.
Candy shares practical tips, step-by-step guides, and personal stories to inspire and guide readers on their aquaponics adventure. Whether you're a seasoned farmer or a curious beginner, Candy Alexander is your go-to source for simplifying aquaponics and fostering a sustainable gardening experience.
