Vegetable Container Size Chart (2024)

Use our Vegetable Container Size Chart (included within the body of this post below)to finally know what pot sizes you need for the vegetables you are planting. No more guessing! For new gardeners, especially those growing in pots and containers for the first time, knowing what size pot to grow your precious vegetables in can be hard to understand. Luckily, we have created this easy-to-use Vegetable Container Size Chart to help you make the best choice possible. Before reading through our Vegetable Container Size Chart, there are some things that you should know as a new gardener that will help you understand why the sizing chart is arranged as it is.

If you are planting a garden for the first time, especially in a warm climate like Zone 9 or 10, remember that the smaller the container, the quicker it will dry out. This happens because the container has more surface area than in-ground plantings, allowing hot, dry air to circulate around the pot to wick away moisture. Additionally, as shown in the Vegetable Container Size Chart, the larger the plant, the more soil it needs. Small pots can only hold a small amount of soil. The roots of a happy, healthy plant planted in a pot too small for it will quickly fill up the space and become root-bound, depriving the plant of receiving the water, oxygen, and nutrients needed.

Plants grown in containers of any size, from small 6″ pots to large, raised beds, will dry out more quickly than in-ground plants. To help prevent excess moisture evaporation, add mulch around your plants inside the pot. The mulch will keep your container looking tidy and help your plants keep moisture in the soil.

When using our Vegetable Container Size Chart, keep in mind these are suggestions. We always encourage our growers to play around with what works for them using what materials they have on hand.

Vegetable Container Size ChartPlantMinimum SizePreferred SizeNumber of Plants Per PotCommentsArtichokes20 gallon or 16-18″ widewine barrel size1-2Artichokes are short-lived perennials and need deep rich soil.Basil1 gallon; 6-7 inch diameter2 gallon; 8-9 inch diameter3-4Basil can grow in clusters, but you will get larger leaves with properly separated plants.Beans, Bush2 gallon; 8-9 inch diameter5 gallon; 12 inch diameter2-4Beans such as OS Blues and other bush varieties grow on smaller, more compact vines.Beans, Pole2 gallon; 8-9 inch diameter5 gallon; 12 inch diameter2-4Pole beans require a trellis to grow up.Beets1 gallon; 6-7 inch diameter2 gallon; 8-9 inch diameter3-4Beets are an excellent plant for any container over one gallon. A long shallow container works great!Broccoli5 gallon; 12 inch diameter10-15 gallon; 16-18 inch diameter1Plants need deep rich soil to develop large broccoli heads.Cabbage5 gallon; 12 inch diameter10-15 gallon; 16-18 inch diameter1Plants need deep rich soil to develop large cabbage heads.Carrots1 gallon; 6-7 inch diameter2 gallon; 8-9 inch diameter3-4Excellent for any container over one gallon. A long shallow container works great!Cauliflower5 gallon; 12 inch diameter10-15 gallon; 16-18 inch diameter1Plants need deep rich soil to develop large cauliflower heads.Celery1 gallon; 6-7 inch diameter2 gallon; 8-9 inch diameter3-4Excellent for any container over one gallon. A long shallow container works great!Chard2 gallon; 8-9 inch diameter5 gallon; 12 inch diameter1-2Proper spacing helps with fungal disease management.Cilantro1 gallon; 6-7 inch diameter2 gallon; 8-9 inch diameter2-4Cilantro can be grown in crowded plantings.Collards2 gallon; 8-9 inch diameter5 gallon; 12 inch diameter1-2Proper spacing helps with fungal disease management.Corn20 gallon or 16-18″ widewine barrel sizePlant in blocks of 15+ plants to ensure pollinationPlant corn in raised beds or very large containers for best results if not planted in-ground.Cucumbers5 gallon; 12 inch diameter10-15 gallon; 16-18 inch diameter2-3Cucumbers must have a trellis to grow up.Eggplant2 gallon; 8-9 inch diameter5 gallon; 12 inch diameter1Eggplant is to grow in pots!Fennel1 gallon; 6-7 inch diameter2 gallon; 8-9 inch diameter1-2The more plants per container, the smaller the plant size.Garlic2 gallon; 8-9 inch diameter5 gallon; 12 inch diameter1-2Proper spacing helps with fungal disease management.Greens (Arugula, Leaf Lettuce, Spinach)1 gallon; 6-7 inch diameter2 gallon; 8-9 inch diameter3-4Greens prefer cool weather; harvest and water regularly.Kale2 gallon; 8-9 inch diameter5 gallon; 12 inch diameter1-2Proper spacing helps with fungal disease management.Kohlrabi5 gallon; 12 inch diameter10-15 gallon; 16-18 inch diameter1-2The more plants per container, the smaller the plant size.Melons5 gallon; 12 inch diameter10-15 gallon; 16-18 inch diameter1-2If growing one plant per container, move containers close for pollination.Okra5 gallon; 12 inch diameter10-15 gallon; 16-18 inch diameter5-10The container can be crowded for smaller plants.Onions1 gallon; 6-7 inch diameter2 gallon; 8-9 inch diameter4-5Allow more room when growing bulbing onions.Parsley1 gallon; 6-7 inch diameter2 gallon; 8-9 inch diameter2-4Parsley can be grown in crowded plantings.Peas2 gallon; 8-9 inch diameter5 gallon; 12 inch diameter3-4Peas must have a trellis to grow up.Peppers2 gallon; 8-9 inch diameter5 gallon; 12 inch diameter1The more plants per container, the smaller the plant size.Pumpkins5 gallon; 12 inch diameter10-15 gallon; 16-18 inch diameter1-2If growing one plant per container, move containers close for pollination.Radishes1 gallon; 6-7 inch diameter2 gallon; 8-9 inch diameter7-8A long shallow container works great!Squash5 gallon; 12 inch diameter10-15 gallon; 16-18 inch diameter1-2If growing one plant per container, move containers close for pollination.Tomatoes, Determinate5 gallon; 12 inch diameter10-15 gallon; 16-18 inch diameter1Determinate tomatoes are best suited for growing in pots.Tomatoes, Indeterminate20 gallon or 16-18″ widewine barrel size1-2Must have a trellis to grow up. See Blog: DIY Tomato Trellis SystemsTomatillos5 gallon; 12 inch diameter10-15 gallon; 16-18 inch diameter1Best to grow one plant per container.