Importance of choosing the right pot size in container gardening
Choosing pots is a confusing task for beginners. People who buy pots as gardening beginners are like, they choose pots based on popular choices in shopping sites, buying low price pots to save money, or choosing their favourite shape or colour. I bought 4-inch nursery pots in bulk, thinking I’d saved a lot of money and could set up an entire vegetable garden with them. Even experienced gardeners make mistakes while choosing pots it’s like a blind spot, especially choosing pot size the wrong size pots that only leads to stunting the growth or killing the plant. Choosing the right size differs from plant types.
How pot size affects plant health and growth
In container gardening pots replace the role of the land we used to cultivate, planting too many plants in small gardens leads to crowding and affects plant growth. This thing also happens in small pots, choosing smaller pots for grown plants leads to root bound. You can see signs like roots in drainage holes, dry soil and stunted growth.
Large pots lead to root rot and plant burn. Bigger pots mean more potting mix than plants need, bigger pots hold excess moisture than needed, which leads to root rot and soggy soil. The large quantity of potting mix holds more organic matter than needed, more organic matter means excess potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen-like materials. Excess fertilising leads to plant burn.
In this blog post, you will learn about the ideal pot size based on plant needs and specific plant size, as well as how to choose the right-sized pots for every plant type. Along with this info you’re gonna know about common hacks to choose right sized pots.
WHY POT SIZE MATTERS IN CONTAINER GARDENING
Influence on plant root growth and space
Smaller pots restrict root growth or create root crowding. Sometimes you’re gonna face root bound. This leads to frequent repotting. So choosing a pot that is 2 inches bigger than a root ball is ideal for growth. Choosing pots based on root ball size is a preferred method don’t choose based on plant height ( that’s why pro gardeners have bigger plants in small pots). You’ve to choose a pot bigger than the root ball. If you think “I can plant a 2-inch root ball-sized plant in an 8-inch pot so I don’t have to report for ages”, welcome to the club if you’re gonna lose the plant successfully.
Impact on water retention and drainage
The pot size determines the water retention in the potting mix, The bigger pot has a large volume of soil that keeps the soil consistently moist but it takes more time to dry, which might lead to waterlogging. Smaller pots dry out so quickly the water retention is less, which means you need to water frequently. You need to add water retention potting mix for smaller pots.
Larger pots have better drainage due to the soil’s ability to maintain the structure. Bigger pots with drainage holes and well-drained potting mix prevents water logging. Larger pots have more space for root penetration which helps the plants grow.
How pot size can affect overall plant health and yield
In larger pots, roots can grow easily. Here, you’ve got to note one thing: a larger pot means 2 inches bigger than the root ball, which is the ideal pot size, and 4 inches bigger than the root ball is bigger. If the root ball is 2 inches, you can plant it in 6 inches, but 8 or 10-inch pots are a bad idea. You can choose 3 or 4 inches bigger than root ball-sized pots if the plant is fast-growing, like veggies or annuals.
The smaller pot restricts the root growth by root crowding and root bound. Plants need nutrients to produce high-yield and water for photosynthesis. These two things restrict the plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrition which leads to stunted growth, poor growth and lower yields.
UNDERSTANDING POT SIZE TERMINOLOGY
Whenever you want to buy a plant pot, you choose pots based on the plant size (before) now you’re aware that pots should be chosen based on root ball sizes. Okay, you’ve another challenge that is how to identify the right pot size. Pot sizes have to be measured in Diameter-Depth-Volume. Along with these measurements, there are some common sizes referred to in gardening terms like Trade sizes, standard pot sizes and nursery container sizes. Let dig up
- Diameter
The diameter measurement of a pot is measured by width across the top of the pot, most of the pot sizes mentioned in online shops are these diameters. These diameter pots are available from 2 inches to 24 inches.
- Depth
The depth of the pot was measured by the height of the pot from top to bottom, you can choose deeper pots by looking at the height of the pot when you need deeper pots for edibles and other deep-rooted plants. Sometimes you might choose a 6-inch pot seeing the pot size as 6 inches which is referred the diameter of the pot. If you need a 6-inch deeper pot, make sure the pot’s height is 6 inches.
- Volume
Sometimes you see the sellers describe their pot size based on volume like 5 litres/1.3 gallons. If they mention in gallons convert them to kgs and find the value of a pot.
- Trade sizes
Nurseries and plant shops use trade sizes, not exactly the size but some kind of measurements refer to.,
TRADE | VOLUME | DIAMETER | INCHES |
#1 | 3.7L | 6-7” | 6-7” |
#2 | 7.5L | 8-9” | 8-9” |
#3 | 11L | 10-11’’ | 9-10” |
#5 | 18L | 11-12” | 10-12” |
#7 | 26L | 14” | 11-12” |
#10 | 37L | 17” | 12-14” |
# These sizes may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer.
- Standard pot sizes
# 1 Quart – 300 grams or a 4-inch pot full of soil
Pot Size | Soil Capacity | Plant Types |
0.25-0.5 quarts | Seedlings & Saplings | |
1 quart | Medium-sized plants & Herbs | |
2 quarts | Small House plants | |
3 quarts | Small shrubs & Flowering plants | |
5-7 quarts | Larger plants |
POT SIZE CHART OVERVIEW
This pot size chart is a guide to choosing pot sizes based on plant types or sizes. You already know that you should choose a pot size 2 inches bigger than the root ball. But this size chart helps to find plant types that can fit in such sizes., based on their mature heights and growth patterns.
Apart from the 2-inch bigger method this size chart also works, because I prefer this size chart from my experience. With this size preference, you don’t need to repot so frequently you only need to repot after you see the roots in drainage holes or signs of root bound.
Explanation of a Typical Pot Size Chart
The pot sizes usually mentioned in online shopping sites or plant shops are the diameter of the pot. For example, they say a 6-inch pot means the diameter of the pot (width across the top) if you need a 6-inch-deep pot then you should check the height of the pot which refers to the depth of the pot.
The pot depth is important when you buy a plant from nursery shops propagated rose cutting needs to be filled with a potting mix till the propagated stem sinks into the soil. Not only roses buying any saplings need to be planted in bigger pots, at that time 2-inch bigger rule won’t fit. They should be potted in bigger depth pots that are 2 inches upper from the pot base and the potting mix has to be filled 1-inch layer at sapling height.
But online saplings (bare-rooted saplings or 2-inch seedling pots) can fit into a 2-inch bigger rule because you can see the difference between 4-inch nursery pot saplings and these little 2-inch seedlings. Planting these tiny 2-inch seedlings into bigger pots kills the plant by overwatering or transplant stress.
For those 4-inch nursery pot saplings, you can follow this size chart based on the variety to get better results. In case, you bought 2-inch seedlings or bare roots just plant them in 4-inch pots and transplant them after 2 months.
Common Pot sizes and Corresponding Plant types
# all the below mentioned pots are black coloured pots
POT SIZES | PLANT TYPES |
Small herbs, small succulents and seedlings | |
Small houseplants, herbs, succulents | |
Medium-sized Houseplants (1-feet), larger herbs and flowering plants | |
Bushy Houseplants, Young edible plants | |
Small shrubs, Dwarf fruit trees and larger house plants | |
Small Perennials, climbing plants and Edible plants | |
Large Houseplants, Dwarf fruit trees and perennials and medium-sized edible plants | |
Small trees, medium-sized shrubs and larger edible plants | |
Large shrubs, small fruit trees, larger vegetables | |
Large trees, large shrubs, tall ornamental grasses and larger vegetables (Pumpkin & Melons) | |
FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING POT SIZES
Plant Growth Rate
If you have annuals and fast-growing edibles you should choose pots based on plant growth and mature size. These plants have short spans of lifecycles so you can choose a 3 or 4-inch bigger pot for these plants that can help to expand the root growth. You can choose pot size based on the above chart.
Root Depth and spread
Fast-growing plants like tomatoes, ivy and herbs can be planted in 2-4 inches larger pots. For Slow-growing plants just choosing 2-inches bigger than the root ball is enough. Deep-rooted plants like carrots (or any edibles that grow under the soil) and larger shrubs need deep pots. The bigger the pot the more drainage should be well-functioned.
For Vegetables, you can start with a seedlings tray and report once they reach the full root growth in the pot. This sounds like a chore but this is ideal for plant health.
For small pots (4-6 inches), you need to water frequently because they dry out quickly so it is better to add water retention potting mix in smaller pots. Medium-sized pots (8-10 inches) are balanced they don’t dry quickly and don’t hold moisture for long so it is better to add potting mix that is balanced and water only until the soil dries. Bigger pots hold excess moisture so use well-draining potting mix – pots with drainage holes – and water only the soil dry is the best.
Climate and Environmental conditions
If you’re in hot climate areas choose bigger pots, so they don’t dry quickly choose pot materials that are aerated like terracotta and fabric pots. If you going to place the pots in a sunny spot choose UV-protected pots so they last longer. Metal pots are preferable for windy areas they’re heavy-duty and absorb heat.
TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
- As a beginner don’t buy expensive pots, start with affordable pot choices like plastic pots.
- Instead of complicated gardening, start with low-maintenance plants and small-sized pots below 8 inches.
- Instead of buying a pot based on your favourite colour or design do a little research and check out the above tips to know better about pots.
- If you want a different shaped or different material pot or a self-watering pot as a beginner don’t buy bulk pots like 10 or 20, just buy 2 or 4 to know better about the pot.
- Don’t buy pots just because it is on offer or available cheap, buy only what you want for your plant.
- Choose a good potting mix for pots to avoid the heaviness of garden soil that can damage pots as well.
- Buy pots with plant trays to avoid water spilling.
- You need repotting once you see roots come out in drainage holes, at that time choose a 2 or 4-inch bigger pot than the current pots.
- Clean the current pot without soil or any stains, dry them in sunlight and store them in a cool dry place for another plant.
CONCLUSION
I don’t have any size charts or any ideas when I buy my first pot. I learned to choose the right pot sizes after years and years of bad choices. It doesn’t mean that the pot is bad, I used them in the wrong way. Every pot has a character based on its material, size, shape and colour. Knowing their purpose and utilising them for the Right plants avoid unwanted spending and keeping pots unused on shelves.
The above-listed size charts and tips help you to choose the right-sized pot in which your plant thrives. Visit my website to learn more hacks about container gardening. Tell me your experience with pot sizes in the comment section and share your garden knowledge with our fellow gardeners.
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