23 Best Plants to Grow in Raised Garden Beds (Vegetables, Herbs & Flowers)

Raised garden beds offer plenty of benefits, especially if you’re looking for better drainage or want to make gardening more accessible (a big deal if bending down is hard for you).

They also keep your plants off the ground, which helps control weeds and keep pests away.

It's no wonder raised beds are such a popular choice with all these advantages.

But what about the plants themselves?

With so many plants out there, how do you know which ones will grow best in these beds?

There are so many options, and it can feel overwhelming, but don’t worry!

In this article, I will give you some solid suggestions for the best vegetables, herbs, and flowers to grow in raised beds (and help you figure out how to choose what’s right for your garden).

But before getting into it, make sure your raised bed is set up right.

If you're wondering about the ideal depth or size, check out our guides on How Deep Should Your Raised Garden Bed Be and Best Size for Raised Garden Beds to get the right start.

Now, let's get into it!

What Vegetables Grow Best in Raised Beds?

A lot of gardeners turn to raised beds when they want to grow vegetables, and it’s easy to see why.

The loose, well-draining soil in raised beds gives veggies the ideal environment to grow strong and healthy.

But not all vegetables are suited for raised beds. Some just do a lot better in them than others.

So here’s a list of the best veggies to grow in raised beds:

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are one of the most popular plants to grow in raised beds, and for good reason.

Raised beds make it easier to manage the soil, and tomatoes do best when they have a little extra care.

For a head start, consider starting tomato seeds indoors.

If you’re short on space, cherry tomatoes are a great choice. They don’t need much room (about 12 inches between plants) and will produce plenty of fruit.

Larger varieties, like Beefsteak tomatoes, need more space (at least 18 inches between plants) and something to support their heavy vines, like cages or trellises.

And if you spot tomato leaves turning yellow, check out what might be causing the issue in our guide to save your crop.

Lettuce

Lettuce is another vegetable that does well in raised beds. It’s quick to grow and easy to harvest, which is great for beginners.

It’s also a good option if you’ve struggled with weeds in the past, since raised beds naturally cut down on those.

You can grow different types (like romaine, butterhead, or looseleaf) all in the same bed.

Just make sure to leave 6 to 8 inches between plants to give them space to grow.

Raised beds also help protect your lettuce from pests like snails, which means you’ll get fresh, tasty leaves without much hassle.

Carrots

Carrots love the loose soil in raised beds, which helps their roots grow long and straight without getting tangled or stunted.

It’s one of the reasons raised beds are such a great fit for them.

Another good thing about raised beds is that they solve one of the biggest problems with carrots: compacted soil.

When the soil is too packed, it can stop the roots from growing well, but raised beds provide the right space for them to spread out.

For the best results, you’ll want your raised bed to be at least 10 inches deep (check out more on this in How Deep Should a Raised Garden Bed Be).

Space your carrot seeds about 2 inches apart to give them room to grow without overcrowding.

And, if you're working with limited space, baby carrots are an awesome option. They don’t take up as much room as regular carrots, and they still grow up to be sweet and tasty.

Other Vegetables for Raised Beds

• Radishes: These quick-growing veggies don’t need much space.
• Spinach: Thrives in the cooler months and grows quickly.
• Peppers: Love the warm soil of raised beds.
• Beans: Perfect for small spaces (especially pole beans).
• Cucumbers: Easy to grow and great for vertical gardening.

What Herbs Grow Best in Raised Beds?

Herbs are a natural choice for raised beds, especially if you are into cooking.

You can grow your own fresh herbs right outside your kitchen, which makes meal prep easier and gives you the chance to experiment with flavors.

These are the herbs that you can grow in your raised beds:

Basil

Basil loves the warmth and well-drained soil in raised beds. It grows fast, so be sure to pick the leaves often (this also helps prevent it from flowering too early).

If you notice flowers, pinch them off to encourage more leaf growth.

Basil also grows best when it has room to spread, so aim for 12 inches between plants.

One thing to keep in mind: basil can be picky about the weather.

It doesn’t like the cold, so if you're planting in a cooler region, try to give it a little extra protection in early spring or late fall, like using a row cover to keep it warm during chilly nights.

You might also want to consider greenhouse raised beds for added protection and a longer growing season. Check out here what to grow in greenhouse raised beds for more ideas.

Rosemary

Rosemary does great in raised beds as well. Once it’s settled in, it’s pretty low-maintenance.

But it does take time to establish itself, so don’t expect it to grow fast at first.

If you’re in a colder climate, bring your rosemary inside before frost hits. If it’s planted directly in the bed, covering it with a cloth or some mulch can help it make it through the winter.

Leave about 12 to 18 inches between plants to give rosemary enough space to spread out and grow without crowding other herbs.

Thyme

Thyme is a hardy perennial that doesn’t take up much space, so it’s perfect for the edges of your raised bed.

It practically takes care of itself once established. It loves sunny spots, so make sure your raised bed is getting enough light (about 6 to 8 hours a day).

Thyme also doesn’t need a lot of water once it’s settled in, so it’s a good option for drier beds.

One thing to note: thyme will grow back every year, so you don’t have to replant it.

You should trim it back in late fall or early spring to encourage fresh growth and prevent it from getting woody.

Other Herbs for Raised Beds

• Parsley: It grows well with other herbs and is perfect for adding flavor to dishes.
• Oregano: Loves sunny spots and is easy to maintain.
• Sage: A low-maintenance herb that adds great flavor to many meals.
• Mint: It can be invasive, so it’s best to keep it in a container to avoid it spreading.
• Dill: If you love pickling, dill is a great choice for your raised beds.

What Flowers Grow Best in Raised Beds?

Now that you’ve got an idea of what vegetables and herbs to plant, let’s proceed to flowers.

Flowers are not only beautiful but also useful in a garden.

Many flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, which can actually benefit your vegetables and herbs.

Marigolds

Marigolds do a great job of keeping pests away, especially insects like aphids and nematodes that can harm your plants.

Their strong scent acts as a natural repellent for many garden pests that target tomatoes, so I suggest planting them alongside your tomatoes.

Sunflowers

Sunflowers can be planted in raised beds too, but they need more space than some other flowers.

If you’re planting tall varieties, be prepared for them to grow over 6 feet tall. Make sure your raised bed has enough space for them to spread out (at least 18 inches between plants is ideal).

If you’re working with limited space, smaller sunflowers (like dwarf varieties) are a good option.

They stay under 3 feet tall and still bring some sunshine to your garden.

Zinnias

Zinnias are easy to grow, and they’ll attract pollinators to your garden (but they can get a bit wild if not managed).

Make sure to trim them back a little if they start to get too tall or sprawl.

Plant them around 6 inches apart. This gives them enough space to thrive without crowding out other plants.

They’ll help attract bees and butterflies, which makes them a great companion to your herbs and veggies.

Other Flowers for Raised Beds

• Lavender: Aromatic and great for attracting bees.
• Petunias: Easy to grow and colorful.
• Cosmos: Attract butterflies and add height.
• Nasturtiums: Edible flowers that deter pests.

How to Pick the Right Plants for Your Raised Bed

Now that you have an idea of what to plant in your raised beds, let’s move on to the final part.

I'll help you figure out how to choose the right plants for your garden (and it’s easier than you think!). Picking the right plants for your raised bed doesn’t have to be complicated.

It’s actually pretty straightforward if you consider these things:

1. Climate

Your local weather can make or break your gardening efforts. 

For example, leafy greens like spinach and lettuce grow best in cooler weather, which makes them great for spring and fall gardens.

On the other hand, plants like tomatoes and peppers love lots of sun and warmth, so they do well in warmer climates (if you live somewhere with hot summers, they’ll love it).

If your area has both hot and cold weather, try growing a mix of plants that can handle different temperatures. It’s smart to choose plants that are tough and can adjust to changing weather.

2. Space

Space can definitely be a challenge when gardening, but it’s something worth considering to make sure your plants thrive.

If you're working with a smaller bed, you might want to focus on plants that don’t take up much room, such as bush beans or baby carrots (which are great for maximizing space).

It’s also a good idea to think about how plants grow when choosing your bed size.

If you're still figuring out the best bed size, there’s a guide on the best size for raised garden beds that can help you decide.

3. Sunlight

Most plants need at least six hours of direct sunlight to grow well (unless you’re planting in the shade, in which case you’ll want to pick plants that can do okay with less light).

If your garden is a little shady, leafy greens like spinach or lettuce are good choices because they don’t mind lower light (they actually do pretty well with just a few hours of light).

But for sun-loving plants like tomatoes and peppers, make sure they get enough sun, or they might not produce much.

4. Companion Planting

When picking the right plants for your raised bed, consider companion planting.

This is a tried-and-true gardening technique.

Some plants just do better when they’re near each other because they help each other out.

For example, basil and tomatoes are a great pair because basil can help keep pests away and even boost the flavor of the tomatoes (and they both like the same warm, sunny conditions).

Mixing plants that work well together can make your garden healthier and more balanced.

If you're new to companion planting, it’s worth looking into which pairings work best.

Now that you know what to plant, it’s time to get growing and enjoy your raised bed garden!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)