Guide to Container Sizes: Which Size Container Should I Use?

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Home » Gardening Basics » Garden Techniques & Design » Garden Design & Planning

Guide to Container Sizes: Which Size Container Should I Use?

This guide to container sizes will help you answer the following questions when growing plants in containers: Which size container should I use? How much soil does my plant need?

Knowing which size container to use is crucial to gardening successfully in containers.

Different plants require different sizes for their roots, so it isn’t always easy to tell which size container you will need. Many young transplants and seeds are the same size initially but vary greatly once they mature.

A NOTE ABOUT CONTAINER SIZES: 

Container sizes are not standardized and often use different types of measurements. Sizes listed here are measured by the amount of soil they hold (dry-soil measurements).  Choose the largest possible container for vegetables to give them access to more soil, food, and water.  Generally, aim for the container to be as deep as it is wide. This provides the most room for the roots. Containers that hold less than 2 gallons of soil are not recommended for growing most vegetables to maturity.

Extra Small Container

Holds up to two gallons (.3 cubic feet) of soil. 

Examples include: 8″ terra cotta or nursery pot, 2 gallon grow bag, and a 10″ hanging basket

Plants that grow well in extra small containers include: sage, rosemary, thyme, nasturtium, kale, green onions, basil, radishes, lettuce, chard, arugula, calendula

Small Container

Holds up to three gallons (.46 cubic feet) of soil. 

Examples include: 10″ terra cotta or nursery pots, 3 gallon grow bag, and a 14″ hanging basket

Plants that grow well in small containers include: kohlrabi, carrots, beets, strawberries, dill, cilantro, celery

Guide to Container Sizes: Which Size Container Should I Use? (cont.)

Medium Container​

Holds up to five gallons (.69 cubic feet) of soil.

Examples of medium containers include: five-gallon plastic bucket, 12″ terra cotta or nursery pot, and five gallon grow bag

Plants that grow well in medium containers include: beans, broccoli, cabbage, lemongrass, okra, potatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, ginger, turmeric.

Large Container

Holds up to ten gallons (1.5 cubic feet) of soil.

Examples of large containers include: 16″ terra cotta or nursery pots, and a 10 gallon fabric grow bag

Plants that grow well in large containers include: sweet potatoes, tomatoes, cantaloupe, watermelon

Extra Large Container

Holds up to twenty gallons (2.73 cubic feet) or more of soil. 

Examples of extra large containers include: 18″ terra cotta pots (2.3 cubic feet of soil), 24″ terra cotta pots (3.8 cubic feet of soil), 20-gallon grow bags, and half wine barrels (4.3 cubic feet of soil)

Plants that grow well in extra large containers include: dwarf citrus trees, fig trees

My container gardening resources:

For more resources, I have several videos and blog posts that provide step-by-step guides, tips, and tricks for successful container gardening. I even wrote a book about container gardening, which covers everything from choosing the correct containers to harvesting your first crop. You’ve got this! 

Pros & Cons of Container Gardening Guide to Container Sizes: Which Size Container Should I Use? 20 Best Vegetables for Container Gardening Gardening in Grow Bags: 5 Tips for Success The Best Way to Water Containers Grow Anywhere: Smart and Creative Gardening Container Ideas Container Gardening Playlist on YouTube

If you enjoy container gardening, you’ll love the benefits of elevated beds—check out my guide, How to Grow in Elevated Garden Beds, to learn how to get started

Looking for more small space gardening ideas? Don’t miss my post on GreenStalk Gardening Tips, where I share what’s worked (and what hasn’t) in my Arizona garden.

To learn more about gardening in containers, read my book on this topic. Learn more about the book “How to Grow Your Own Food: A Beginner’s Guide to Container Gardening” in this post or purchase the book here.

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8 comments on "Guide to Container Sizes: Which Size Container Should I Use?"

I have a 100 gallon grow bag, should I use Ollas in them?

Yes, Oyas are a great option for grow bags, especially large ones like that. Good idea.

What size container for a 6 feet butterfly bush/ “Ruby spice” Pepperbush?

No smaller than 10 gallon.

What about the Arizona heat? My pots cook the plants. What helps that?

I put most of my smaller containers away for the hottest months of the year. If you need to garden in smaller containers, move them to where they receive morning sun and afternoon shade. Group them together to prevent direct sunlight on the containers.

I love to garden, and have for many many years. Do I have to put plant food in my soil mix before I put in my plant or seeds? I usually put liquid fertilizer as the plant grows and many times have little vegetables.

I would encourage you to add compost and worm castings before planting. You could also mix in a small amount of an organic plant food if you would like too. Small amounts more frequently are better generally for containers.

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