Tag: size of container

When it comes to container gardening, size can make all the difference. The general rule of thumb is: the bigger the better. Plants need plenty of room to spread their roots in order to thrive.

When growing vegetables in particular, the best yields are obtained when plants are grown in a container which as at least half as deep as the plant’s mature height. Therefore, most vegetables require containers that hold 6 to 8 inches of potting mix. Tomatoes, squashes and other large plants require deeper containers, as do root crops such as carrots and beets. However, the growing medium in deeper containers is more prone to compacting, so 12 to 15 inches is all you really need to grow most plants. Even fruits like lemons, blueberries and papaya can be grown in containers of this size with regular attention.

Large containers are also more forgiving as the extra soil or growing medium provides insulation for the plants’ roots; they are less likely to dry out than smaller containers, and also take longer to heat up on sunny summer days, preventing heat stress and wilting. However, there is an obvious trade-off between size and portability, so chose the container that best accommodates your needs. There are many dwarf varieties of plants that have been developed specifically for container gardening and are more likely to thrive in smaller containers if your place can’t accomodate a larger one.

Recommended minimum container size for various plants

Names	Hanging planter	Small 4”-6” planter	Medium 8”-12” planter	Large >12” planter
VEGETABLES
BEANS (BUSH)
BEANS (POLE)
BEETS
BROCCOLI
CABBAGE
CARROTS
CAULIFLOWER
CORN
CUCUMBERS
EGGPLANT
LETTUCE
MELONS
ONIONS
PEAS
PEPPERS
RADISHES
SPINACH
SQUASH
SWISS CHARD
TOMATO
CHERRY TOMATO
TURNIPS
HERBS
BASIL
CHIVES
DILL
LAVENDER
MINT
PARSLEY
ROSEMARY
SAGE
SUMMER SAVORY
WINTER SAVORY
THYME
FLOWERS
ANNUALS <12” IN HEIGHT
ANNUALS >12” IN HEIGHT
ANNUAL VINES
PERENNIALS