Pot sizes for container vegetables
The pot size each crop needs, and whether it needs a stake or trellis.
Bigger pots dry out more slowly and grow bigger plants. Use a potting mix, not garden soil, make sure every pot drains, and expect to water containers daily in hot weather. Compact, “patio” or “bush” varieties suit pots best.
| Plant | Pot size | Support |
|---|---|---|
| Amaranth | a 5-gallon pot per plant | a stake for tall grain types in windy spots |
| Apple | dwarf trees only, in a 15–20 gallon container | a stake or trellis for trees on dwarfing rootstock |
| Artichoke | a pot at least 24 inches wide and deep | None needed |
| Arugula | a pot or window box at least 6 inches deep | None needed |
| Bachelor's Button | an 8-inch pot or mixed planter; dwarf types fit best | twiggy brush or stakes for tall types |
| Basil | a 1-gallon pot per plant, at least 8 inches deep | None needed |
| Bay Laurel | a 5–15 gallon pot, moving up a size as it grows | None needed |
| Bee Balm | a 2–3 gallon pot or larger | None needed |
| Beet | a pot at least 8–10 inches deep | None needed |
| Black-Eyed Susan | a 2-gallon pot or larger | None needed |
| Blackberry | compact thornless types only, in a 15-gallon pot or larger | a wire trellis for trailing and semi-erect types |
| Blueberry | a 15–20 gallon pot with acidic potting mix | None needed |
| Bok Choy | a pot 8–12 inches deep | None needed |
| Borage | a pot at least 12 inches deep for the taproot | None needed |
| Broccoli | a 5-gallon pot per plant | None needed |
| Brussels Sprouts | a 5-gallon pot per plant | a stake in windy sites as stalks get top-heavy |
| Cabbage | a 5-gallon pot per plant | None needed |
| Calendula | an 8-inch pot or larger | None needed |
| Carrot | a pot at least 12 inches deep; 8 inches for short types | None needed |
| Cauliflower | a 5-gallon pot per plant | None needed |
| Celeriac | a 3–5 gallon pot per plant | None needed |
| Celery | a 5-gallon pot per plant | None needed |
| Celosia | a 6–8 inch pot for dwarf types | stakes for tall cutting types in windy spots |
| Chamomile | a 6–8 inch pot | None needed |
| Cherry | dwarf trees only, in a 15–20 gallon container | a stake for young trees on dwarfing rootstock |
| Chervil | a pot at least 8 inches deep | None needed |
| China Aster | a 6–8 inch pot for dwarf types | stakes for tall cutting varieties |
| Chives | a 6–8 inch pot | None needed |
| Cilantro | a pot at least 8 inches deep | None needed |
| Collard Greens | a 5-gallon pot per plant | None needed |
| Cosmos | a 2-gallon pot or larger; dwarf types fit best | stakes or netting for tall types |
| Crown Daisy | a pot 6–8 inches deep | None needed |
| Cucumber | a 5-gallon pot or larger; bush types fit best | a trellis about 6 ft tall for vining types |
| Dahlia | a 5-gallon pot or larger; dwarf types fit best | a 4–5 ft stake for tall types, set at planting |
| Dill | a pot at least 12 inches deep; dwarf types fit best | stakes for tall types in windy spots |
| Edamame | a 5-gallon pot for 2–3 plants | None needed |
| Eggplant | a 5-gallon pot or larger | a stake or small cage as fruit gets heavy |
| Endive | a pot 6–8 inches deep | None needed |
| Escarole | a pot 6–8 inches deep | None needed |
| Fava Bean | a pot at least 12 inches deep | stakes and twine for tall types in windy spots |
| Fennel | a pot at least 12 inches deep | None needed |
| Fig | a 15–20 gallon pot or larger; compact varieties fit best | None needed |
| Foxglove | a 2-gallon pot or larger | a stake for tall spikes in windy spots |
| French Tarragon | a pot at least 12 inches wide with fast-draining mix | None needed |
| Garlic | a pot at least 8–10 inches deep | None needed |
| Garlic Chives (Buchu) | a 6–8 inch pot | None needed |
| Green Bean | a pot 8–12 inches deep; bush types fit best | 6–8 ft poles or trellis for pole types; bush types need none |
| Ground Cherry | a 5-gallon pot per plant | a tomato cage or stake, set at transplant |
| Horseradish | a 5-gallon pot or larger, which also keeps it from spreading | None needed |
| Jerusalem Artichoke | a 15-gallon pot or larger, which also keeps it from spreading | None needed |
| Kale | a 3–5 gallon pot per plant | None needed |
| Kohlrabi | a pot 8–10 inches deep | None needed |
| Korean Chili Pepper | a 5-gallon pot or larger | a 3–4 ft stake, or twine lines along the row |
| Korean Perilla (Kkaennip) | a 3-gallon pot or larger, at least 10 inches deep | None needed |
| Korean Radish | a pot at least 12 inches deep, about 5 gallons per plant | None needed |
| Korean Zucchini (Aehobak) | a 10–15 gallon pot or larger | a sturdy trellis about 5 ft tall; vines can also sprawl |
| Lavender | a 12-inch pot or larger with gritty, fast-draining mix | None needed |
| Leek | a pot at least 12 inches deep | None needed |
| Lemon Balm | a 1- to 2-gallon pot, at least 8 inches deep | None needed |
| Lemon Verbena | a 3- to 5-gallon pot, at least 12 inches deep | None needed |
| Lemongrass | a 5-gallon pot or larger, at least 12 inches deep | None needed |
| Lettuce | a pot or trough at least 6 inches deep | None needed |
| Lima Bean | bush types: a 5-gallon pot or larger, at least 12 inches deep | pole types: poles or a trellis 6–8 ft tall; bush types need none |
| Malabar Spinach | a 5-gallon pot or larger, with a trellis | a trellis or fence 6 ft or taller |
| Marigold | a 6- to 8-inch pot per plant; larger for African types | None needed |
| Mint | a pot 10–12 inches wide, at least 8 inches deep | None needed |
| Mizuna | a pot or trough at least 6 inches deep | None needed |
| Morning Glory | a pot at least 12 inches wide and deep, with a trellis | a trellis, fence, or strings 6–10 ft tall |
| Mulberry | dwarf types only: a 15-gallon pot or larger | None needed |
| Mustard Greens | a pot at least 6–8 inches deep | None needed |
| Napa Cabbage | a 5-gallon pot or larger, at least 12 inches deep | None needed |
| Nasturtium | a pot at least 8 inches wide and deep | climbing types: a fence or trellis about 6 ft tall; bush types need none |
| New Zealand Spinach | a 5-gallon pot or larger | None needed |
| Okra | a 5-gallon pot or larger, at least 12 inches deep; dwarf types fit best | None needed |
| Onion | a pot at least 10 inches deep, bulbs spaced 3–4 inches apart | None needed |
| Oregano | a pot 8 inches or wider with drainage holes | None needed |
| Parsley | a pot at least 8 inches deep for the taproot | None needed |
| Pea | a pot at least 8–12 inches deep; dwarf types fit best | a trellis or netting 3–6 ft tall; dwarf types need little or none |
| Pepper | a 3- to 5-gallon pot, at least 10–12 inches deep | a short stake or small cage once plants carry fruit |
| Potato | a 10-gallon pot or grow bag, at least 12–16 inches deep | None needed |
| Purple Coneflower | a 2-gallon pot or larger | None needed |
| Radicchio | a 2-gallon pot or larger, at least 8 inches deep | None needed |
| Radish | a pot at least 6 inches deep (12 inches for daikon) | None needed |
| Rosemary | a pot at least 12 inches wide, with drainage holes | None needed |
| Sage | a pot at least 12 inches wide and 8 inches deep, with drainage holes | None needed |
| Scallion | a pot at least 6 inches deep | None needed |
| Shallot | a pot at least 8 inches deep, bulbs 4–6 inches apart | None needed |
| Shiso (Japanese Perilla) | a 2-gallon pot or larger, at least 8 inches deep | None needed |
| Snapdragon | a pot at least 8 inches deep, for dwarf and mid-height types | stakes or flower netting for tall types (2½–4 ft) |
| Sorrel | a pot at least 8 inches deep | None needed |
| Spinach | a pot or window box at least 6–8 inches deep | None needed |
| Stevia | a 1-gallon pot or larger, with drainage holes | None needed |
| Strawberry | a pot or strawberry jar at least 8 inches deep | None needed |
| Summer Savory | a pot at least 8 inches deep, in lean potting mix | None needed |
| Sunflower | dwarf types only: a 3-gallon pot or larger, at least 12 inches deep | stakes for tall varieties in windy or soft-soil spots |
| Sweet Alyssum | a 6-inch pot, hanging basket, or mixed planter | None needed |
| Sweet Marjoram | a pot 6–8 inches wide and deep, with drainage holes | None needed |
| Sweet Pea | a pot at least 12 inches deep, with a dwarf variety | a trellis or netting 6–8 ft tall for climbing types |
| Swiss Chard | a pot at least 12 inches deep and wide | None needed |
| Tatsoi | a pot or window box at least 6 inches deep | None needed |
| Thai Basil | a 1–2 gallon pot or larger, at least 8 inches deep | None needed |
| Thyme | a 6–8 inch pot with gritty, fast-draining mix | None needed |
| Tickseed | a 1–2 gallon pot | None needed |
| Tomatillo | a 5-gallon pot or larger; grow at least two plants | a tomato cage or 4-ft stake |
| Tomato | a 5-gallon pot or larger, at least 12 inches deep | a cage or 5–6 ft stake |
| Turnip | a pot at least 10–12 inches deep | None needed |
| Winter Savory | a 6–8 inch pot with fast-draining mix | None needed |
| Yarrow | a pot at least 12 inches wide with good drainage | None needed |
| Zinnia | a pot at least 8–12 inches deep; dwarf types suit pots best | tall cutting types may need stakes in windy spots |
| Zucchini | a 10-gallon pot or larger; compact bush types fit best | None needed |