9 Plants You Should Always Grow in a Raised Bed, According to Gardening Experts

Tomato plants in raised beds — Photo:
PaulMaguire / Getty Images

There are many reasons to grow plants in raised beds. They allow you to control your soil quality, which is especially beneficial for plants susceptible to root rot. Raised beds also offer better temperature control than in-ground beds, protecting plants from unexpected cold snaps. What's more, some plants grow best when they're lifted higher off the ground, improving air circulation and protecting them from dirt that can splash back up during watering.

While raised bed gardening has many pros, some plants benefit from this gardening style more than others. Ahead, gardening experts share the plants you should always grow in raised beds.

Adrienne Roethling, plant expert and former garden director for Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden
Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of Park Seed's From Seed to Spoon app
Linda Vater, plant expert for Southern Living Plant Collection

01 of 09

Rosemary

Most herbs, like rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), are native to Mediterranean climates. While rosemary is hardy enough to survive cold temperatures, this plant doesn't like winters that are cold and wet. To protect rosemary's roots during winter, it's best to grow this plant in a container or well-structured raised bed, says plant expert Adrienne Roethling. Wrap the beds in burlap to protect rosemary during cold spells.

Zones: 6 to 9
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 2 to 4 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; drought-tolerant; well-draining soil

02 of 09

Sage

Sage (Salvia spp.) comes in annual forms, perennials, woody shrubs, and herbs, says Roethling. While this plant can grow in a range of environments, including on hillsides, in containers, vegetable gardens, and more, some varieties are best grown in raised beds. For example, common sage (Salvia officinalis) is well-suited for a raised herb or vegetable garden as it needs well-draining soil and protection from cold winter temperatures, says Roethling.

Zones: 4 to 10, depending on variety
Size: 12 to 24 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

03 of 09

Lavender

Like rosemary, lavender (Lavandula spp.) is another Old World plant that grows best along the Mediterranean coast. "Lavender will remain evergreen, grow very well in most regions, and perform as an ornamental accent," says Roethling. That said, lavender needs good winter drainage in order to thrive, which raised beds provide. Be sure to research hardiness before choosing your lavender, as different varieties thrive in different climates.

Zones: 5 to 9
Size: 12 to 30 inches tall x 24 to 36 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

04 of 09

Tomatoes

Tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum) can be grown in the ground, but they will thrive in raised beds. "It’s best if they are planted in a well-structured raised bed so that moisture quickly drains away," says Roethling. "A bed raised 6 inches or more is ideal." She adds that raised beds also improve circulation and that, when low to the ground, the stems of your tomato plants are more susceptible to rot.

Zones: 2 to 10
Size: 3 to 8 feet tall x 2 to 4 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining soil

05 of 09

Spinach

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) prefers well-draining, fertile soil that warms up quickly in the spring, making it well-suited to raised beds. "The controlled conditions of a raised bed prevent soggy soil, reducing the risk of root rot while offering better temperature control for gemination," says Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of Park Seed's From Seed to Spoon app.

Zones: 2 to 9
Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining, loamy soil

06 of 09

Carrots

Carrot in soil — PhotoAlto / Laurence Mouton / Getty Images

Carrots (Daucus carota) have long roots that need room to grow. "Raised beds are ideal for carrots because they provide loose, rock-free soil, allowing roots to grow long and straight without deformities," says Spoonemore. Raised beds also provide excellent soil control and drainage, which prevents water logging and reduces the risk of cracking.

Zones: 3 to 10
Size: 12 inches tall, with the leafy tops spreading about 6 to 12 inches wide
Care requirements: Full sun; loose, sandy soil

07 of 09

Blackberries

Organic fresh blackberry in the bush. Nature. Healthy Food — Iuliia Bondar / Getty Images

Blackberries (Rubus fruticosus) are fast growers and raised beds can help control their growth. "Because raised beds are often used as a small space gardening solution, it’s helpful to opt for a thornless variety of blackberry like 'Navaho' Thornless Blackberry to avoid getting poked by thorns while you work in the raised bed," says Linda Vater, plant expert for Southern Living Plant Collection.

Zone: Generally Zones 5 to 9; 'Navaho' is hardy in Zones 6 to 10
Size: Varies by variety; 'Navaho' reaches 4 to 5 feet tall x 3 to 4 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining, slightly acidic soil

08 of 09

Blueberries

There are several benefits of growing blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) in raised beds. "Raised beds allow you to mix the acidic, well-drained soil needed for blueberries to thrive even if your local soil conditions differ," says Vater. "They also lift the fruits further from the ground, reducing the amount of dirt and detritus that can splash back on the fruits during rain and watering. Finally, harvesting blueberries can be much easier when the plants are lifted from the ground."

Zones: Varies by variety
Size: 4 to 5 feet tall x 3 to 4 feet wide
Care requirements: Full sun; well-draining, acidic soil

09 of 09

Cilantro

Raised beds offer well-draining soil that retains enough moisture to support the shallow roots of cilantro (Coriandrum sativum). "Raised beds also help regulate soil temperature, promoting healthy, fast growth, especially in cooler weather," says Spoonemore.