Growing Pot Size - It Does Matter!

Growing any plant in the correct size pot will not only give you more control of the overall size of your plant, but can actually strengthen, and boost your plant's yield!

Growing pots come in all shapes, sizes, materials, depths and widths. But how do you select the correct one for your plants? Too big of a pot for a small plant can cause water buildups, too small for a large plant and it may stunt and decrease your harvest substantially. Today we will go over some great tips on how to choose, the top two picks in the growing world, and sizes for both an indoor and outdoor setting.

Drainage Holes - Plants Hate Wet Feet!

The houseplant community definitely suffers from this issue much more than the vegetable or herb community, but it should still be mentioned. By far, the most important step to remember when pot shopping or thrifting, is to check for plenty of drainage holes! Drainage holes will ensure any water not absorbed by the soil medium is disposed of, much like the earth would do naturally. They also assist with air flow to your soil medium, as a plant's roots do need oxygen to survive! If any of the pots do not have drainage holes, or very few, an easy fix is to simply drill some more with the appropriate drill bits!

A poorly draining pot can play as a factor in nutrient burn situations, as it uses the same concept as water consumption. Nutrients that your organic soil creates, and even the food you provide your soil, can become toxic for the roots if left sitting and building up. Water flushes are a common practice when nutrient overloads occur, so having a pot with enough drainage will help keep your soil happy and healthy, while saving you frustrations!

Size - It Actually Does Matter!

Most pots you will find on the market are measured by either gallon, or by the inch diameter at the top of the pot. I will be identifying by gallon, but have included a size reference chart below to help with inches!

Small pot sizes - These pots will be between 1 gallon and 5 gallons. Many small vegetables, such as lettuces, herbs or shallow rooting plants can tolerate and sometimes benefit in a shallow, smaller pot like a hanging basket, or window sill basket. Their roots do not dive as deep as the large vegetables, and can even make a good cover crop for the larger vegetables or cannabis. These smaller pot sizes help with managing the size of your plant, great for growing indoors or in micro spaces. 3 gallon pots seem to be the best balance, giving a decent size plant that is easy to manage.

Large pot sizes - These pots will be between the 7 gallon and 10+. Most large vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumber, the squash family and cannabis, will need a larger and deeper depth, as their roots dive down and fill out the space to strengthen its structure and receive maximum nutrient absorption. The larger the pot, the larger the plant. 5 gallons should be more than enough, but for a challenge, or if you have the space, going larger can be fun!

Biologists at the Society for Experimental Biology found that doubling plant pot size can make plants grow over 40 percent larger!

Pot Materials

Growing pots are made out of many different materials, and are not limited to the types I will be discussing, but I’m going to focus on the two main pot materials used for growing vegetables and cannabis. These pots will have both pros, and cons, depending on its user. It is good to consider the aeration, drainage, and overall durability of the pot, and how your lifestyle or setup will be.

Plastic pots - The most well known, accessible to purchase, and serve their purpose well since they are durable, long lasting and re-usable! Coming in hundreds of sizes and shapes, they give you the freedom to customize. They can, however, cause overheating if the sun or light is shining on them, and can cause root drowning by retaining too much water.

Fabric pots - A newer revolution in the world of growing, fabric pots are usually made of a similar type of landscaping fabric, called polypropylene. These pots have been boasting great improvements in reducing over watering, creating a healthier root system, and proving their portability and storage. They are re-useable, however, have a shorter lifespan than plastic, as they are biodegradable. Depending on the accessibility and cost, they can be more than the average plastic nursery pot as well.

Top Growing Pot Companies

- Rapid Stack - reusable, stack-able fabric and plastic pots

- Indoor Farmer - growing pots and TONS of other growing supplies