Here are three more essential vitamins that can be grown in pots at home:

Vitamin B6 is another essential B vitamin and helps fight infection in the body. Vitamin B deficiency can show up as cracked lips, nausea and, in more severe case, anxiety and depression. So if you're having a bad day, a quick boost of vitamin B6 could cheer you up. Bananas are a particularly good source of B6, but require tropical conditions to grow well. Other good sources are:

• Courgettes
• Mushrooms
• Potatoes

Courgettes tend to come up all on their own in a healthy compost heap but will grow well in pots. The pots don't have to be too deep but should be as wide as possible to accommodate the courgette fruits as they grow.

Mushrooms can be grown in kit form in containers during many months of the year. The small white button mushrooms use to be the only choice in home mushroom kits, but there are many other types avalable now. 'Oyster Straw' and 'Lion's Mane' are grown on a log rather than in a container. A very attractive and practical feature on a patio.

Potatoes are a staple food and form a large part of the western diet, in one form or another. However rigid your calorie counting may be, a fresh new potato from your own patio or garden will always be a guilt-free treat. There's no need to add flavour with salt, butter or even cheese!

Potato barrels are a great way of producing your potato crop if you haven't got enough garden space. No digging trenches and earthing up the plants. Just follow the instructions on the packet an off you go.

Vitamin C is probably the most well-known vitamin - but also the most unstable. Vitamin C should be included in your diet every day to boost resistance to infection, improve condition of the skin and heal all sorts of minor ailments. Low vitamin C intake can result in fatigue and depression. The most common source of vitamin C is citrus fruits. Lemons can successfuly be grown in UK type climates, but should be planted in containers that can be moved indoors during the colder months of the year. Other sources include:

• Strawberries
• Tomatoes
• Peppers

Strawberry planters are a popular addition to patios and balconies. They are easy to maintain and will produce strawberries for a few years before the plants need replacing.

Tomatoes are a must-have. There are so many different varieties that can be grown in pots or in the garden - you really can be spoilt for choice. Cherry tomatoes are perfect for large pots and containers and they produce lots of mouth watering fruits. There really is nothing like the taste of a tomato you've grown yourself. And, of course, tomatoes don't lose their vitamin C content through cooking.

Peppers come in all shapes and sizes and two very different taste groups. Sweet peppers have a longer growing season but are happy to grow in pots as long as they have plenty of sun and water. Chilli peppers are even easier to grow. They are attractive plants and will thrive in the right conditions.

Folate is another of the B vitamins and an essential ingredient in a healthy body. Folate has to come from a good source on a daily basis and five fruits and vegetables a day will normally take care of any deficiency. Too little folate can result in anaemia and fatigue. Avoiding processed foods and sticking to fresh fruit and vegetables should take care of the daily recommended intake. Kidney beans are a good source of folate. Other sources include:

• Cos lettuce
• Leafy green vegetables
• Parsnips

Cos lettuce is the most mineral-packed of the everyday lettuces, but all lettuces can be grown in pots, especially the 'cut-and-come-again' varieties. Try red leaved types for a colourful salad bowl.

Leafy green vegetables can and should be grown for daily use if possible. Spinach, kale and spring greens are all fairly hardy plants and will add plenty of vitamins to your diet. Check on the growing recommendations before you choose seeds. Some are better grown in a veggie patch while others will be happy to grace your patio or balcony in large pots and containers. 'Picasso' is a baby leaf spinach that is ideal for container growing.

Parsnips are another root crop and, like carrots, need a good depth of soil to develop properly. Look for shorter fatter varieties to grow in pots. 'Panache' are large wedge-shaped parnips as oppose to the long tapering cornet shaped types, and will prpbably do better in a container.

These five vitamins all contribute to looking and feeling great. Usually all it takes is remembering the five-a-day mantra, but having them on hand in your own beauty pots will make it easier and tastier than ever before!

This content was provided by one of our users, Lianda