If you’ve ever tried planting something in containers, you’ll know how difficult it is to make up your mind on what the ideal container size is.
Today, I’ll be making that easy for you. We’re going to discuss different container sizes and what quantity of plants you can grow in each one of them. Let’s get straight into it!
Container Sizes and What To Grow In Them
6” Pot (1/4 Gallon)
Green lettuce in pot
Leafy greens: These are perfect for planting different kinds of leafy greens like lettuce, arugula, and spinach. A total of 4-5 plants per pot should do well.
Herbs: Basic herbs like parsley, basil, oregano, and cilantro can also do well in containers of this size.
7–8.5” Pot (1–2 Gallons)
Radishes growing in a pot
Green onions: For 7-8.5” containers, the first thing you should consider planting is green onion (scallions). Plant around 10-12 plants per container.
Swiss chard: If you’re feeling a little bright and want something a little vibrant, swiss chard is a great option. It has a flavor similar to lettuce, just a bit crunchier and sweeter. You can plant up to 4 plants in a container of this size.
Radishes: These don’t require lots of space. You can plant 10 to 12 radish plants snugly in a 7-8.5” container (but I recommend a 8.5” pot though).
Compact cherry tomatoes: These can also be an excellent choice for a 7-8.5” container. Plant only 1 cherry tomato per container.
10” Pot (3 Gallons)
Cucumbers growing in a pot
Beets: You can easily grow 7-10 beets in a 10” pot. It will provide you with a decent enough harvest using only one container.
Bush beans: A pot of this size can easily fit 2 to 3 bush bean plants. They’ll grow dense, look wonderful due to their thick, overlapping foliage.
Short carrots: As the name suggests, these are…well…short. You can grow 8 to 10 per 10” pot without any problem.
Peas: These do really well in containers. Plant 2 to 3 pea plants per container, that way you’ll give each plant enough space to grow and spread roots properly without getting too densely packed together.
Compact cucumbers: These are also a great option for containers of this size. Though you may think they’ll need a lot of space to grow, 1 plant with an added trellis for support can grow really well in tight spaces.
12–14” Pot (5–7 Gallons)
Bell pepper growing in a pot
Cabbage: For a 12-14” pot, 1 cabbage plant per pot should fit snugly and grow sufficiently without needing additional space.
Broccoli: 1 broccoli plant per pot of this size is also a solid option. Fortunately, it’s easy to grow and doesn’t need a lot of overhead maintenance.
Eggplant: These can grow quite large, I only recommend planting 1-2 plants per 12-14” pot.
Longer carrots: Unlike the 10” pot, this one can actually hold and accommodate full-sized carrot growth. You can easily grow 8-10 plants of regular carrots in a 12-14” pot.
Peppers: Hot or sweet peppers are another great option for a pot of this size. Just make sure you grow no more than 1 plant per pot.
16–18” Pot (10–15 Gallons)
Tomatoes growing in a container
Potatoes: A 16-18” pot is large enough to accommodate vegetables that grow beneath the soil, like potatoes. You can plant 8 to 10 potatoes per pot to avoid overcrowding.
Standard-size tomatoes: A standard-size tomato plant would do well in a large pot of this size. Plant 1-2 per pot, as they can grow tall and get tangled up easily.
Winter squash or pumpkins: Compact winter squash or pumpkin varieties are another solid planting option for a 16-18” pot. Plant no more than 1 plant per pot.
Conclusion
If you were contemplating whether or not to grow your favorite vegetables in containers you have at home, I hope this article gave you some clarity.
To be fair, it’s really not that complicated. Pick whatever container size you have available and grow whatever you want in it as long as the plants are not overcrowded and limiting each other’s growth. Best of luck!
I'm Rita, passionate about flowers, plants and growing my own vegetables at home. I live in an apartment, but I still have my garden, I intend to use all my knowledge to help you also have a lively, happy and productive garden (even in an apartment).
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