Container Size Chart for Every Vegetable
Container size determines yield. Tomatoes need 5 gallons. Lettuce needs 6 inches depth. Here’s the minimum for every common vegetable.
Too-small pots stunt plants and dry out fast. Use the minimum or larger.
The Chart
| Vegetable | Min Pot Size | Min Depth | Spacing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry Tomato | 5 gal | 12 in | 1 per pot |
| Bush Tomato | 5 gal | 12 in | 1 per pot |
| Pepper | 3 gal | 10 in | 1 per pot |
| Zucchini | 5 gal | 12 in | 1 per pot |
| Cucumber | 5 gal | 12 in | 1 per pot |
| Bean (bush) | 2 gal | 8 in | 4 in apart |
| Lettuce | 1 gal | 6 in | 8 in apart |
| Spinach | 1 gal | 6 in | 4 in apart |
| Kale | 2 gal | 8 in | 12 in apart |
| Radish | 1 gal | 6 in | 2 in apart |
| Carrot | 2 gal | 12 in | 3 in apart |
| Beet | 2 gal | 10 in | 4 in apart |
| Broccoli | 3 gal | 12 in | 1 per pot |
| Basil | 1 gal | 8 in | 1 per pot |
| Parsley | 1 gal | 8 in | 1 per pot |
| Chives | 1 gal | 6 in | clump |
| Mint | 1 gal | 6 in | 1 per pot |
| Zinnia | 2 gal | 10 in | 1 per pot |
| Sunflower (dwarf) | 3 gal | 12 in | 1 per pot |
| Marigold | 1 gal | 8 in | 1 per pot |
Why Size Matters
- Root space. Roots need room or the plant stalls.
- Moisture. Small pots dry out fast.
- Nutrients. More soil = more nutrients.
- Temperature. Small pots heat up fast.
Common Questions
Can I use smaller pots? Yes, but yields drop.
Do I need drainage holes? Yes. Always.
What about self-watering pots? Great for herbs and lettuce. Less so for tomatoes.
Can I use 5-gallon buckets? Yes. Drill drainage holes.
How much soil per pot? A 5-gallon pot takes about 0.7 cubic feet of soil.
Should I repot as plants grow? Yes. Start small, move up.