There’s something romantic about life on a narrowboat — the gentle pace, the freedom to drift from town to countryside, and the constant connection to nature. But when your home floats and space is tight, it can feel like you have to give up some of the joys of a traditional home — like gardening.
The good news? You don’t have to. With a bit of planning, a few clever containers, and the right plant choices, your narrowboat can become a travelling garden. Whether you’re moored in the middle of Manchester or cruising through quiet countryside, it’s entirely possible to grow herbs, flowers, and even a few edibles — without turning your roof into a jungle.
What Does a Narrowboat Garden Actually Look Like?
Unlike traditional gardens, a boat garden is constantly in motion. It’s modular by nature — a collection of pots, troughs, hanging planters, and crates — all of which need to be weatherproof, lightweight, and easy to move. You’re not planting into the ground, you’re creating a curated collection of containers that can survive the wind, rain, and occasional bump of a low bridge.
Some boaters stick with a few herbs and low-maintenance greens. Others go all-in, growing pollinator-friendly flowers, tiny veg crops, and sculptural foliage. There’s no one-size-fits-all, and that’s the beauty of it — your floating garden can be as simple or as wild as you want it to be.
What Works (and What Doesn’t)
When space is limited, every plant has to earn its keep. The best options are compact, hardy, and look good over a long season. Plants that don’t mind being in pots, can cope with the sun and wind, and won’t fall apart if you move them are essential.
Think scented herbs, colourful flowers, and statement plants that bring texture and movement. From your curated list, here are some standout boat-friendly options:
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Geranium Rozanne is basically the MVP of container gardening. It flowers for ages, trails beautifully, and doesn’t mind a bit of neglect.
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Lavandula ‘Munstead’ is compact, scented, and tough as nails — perfect for hot spots on the roof.
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Echinacea ‘Magnus’ adds bold colour and structure, and bees absolutely love it.
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Erigeron karvinskianus spills out of containers with delicate daisy flowers that bloom for months.
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Achillea ‘Moonshine’ brings a soft yellow glow and feathery foliage that contrasts beautifully with stronger shapes.
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And for something a bit more architectural, Salvia ‘Caradonna’ delivers those striking purple flower spikes with dark stems that look good even when the flowers fade.
If you’re into growing your own, Agastache ‘Blue Fortune’ is great for tea and cocktails, while Rosmarinus ‘Miss Jessopp’s Upright’ is a reliable upright rosemary that adds structure, fragrance, and flavour to your cooking.
Containers Are Your Best Friends
When your garden moves, your pots need to be stable. Go for lightweight materials like recycled plastic or resin over traditional terracotta (unless you don’t mind the weight). Make sure drainage is sorted — you really don’t want water sloshing around your roof every time it rains.
Mix things up. Use crates, hanging baskets, troughs along the gunwales, or window boxes fixed to the cabin sides. Even a row of mismatched pots can look intentional when grouped by colour or style.
Bonus tip: don’t overpack. Space to walk is important — unless you want to spend every journey ducking under a thistle.
Sun, Shade, and the Water Factor
Boat life means shifting conditions. One mooring might be full sun, another in dappled shade. Choose plants that can adapt or move your pots around to suit them. Shade-tolerant picks like Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ or Sarcococca ‘Winter Gem’ work well tucked near the bow or under awnings, while sun-lovers like lavender and echinacea are happy right up top.
Watering is another thing to stay on top of. Containers dry out quickly, especially on windy days. Use water-retaining compost, mulch where you can, and keep a watering can or collapsible hose handy (bonus points if you collect rainwater in a tank).
The Joy of a Moving Garden
Narrowboat gardening isn’t about perfection — it’s about creating something that moves with you, brings joy, and maybe even gives you fresh mint for your drinks. It’s one of the simplest ways to make your boat feel more like a home and less like a shell.
And on those still summer evenings, moored up with a view of the water, birdsong in the air, and flowers brushing your shoulder — there’s really nothing better.
