What does #1, #2, etc. mean when used to describe plant container sizes? - Southwood (2024)

FAQs

What is a #2 size plant container? ›

In cubic inches of volume, a #1 container -- which was commonly known as a 1-gallon pot -- is 152 to 251 cubic inches, a #2 container is 320 to 474 cubic inches, a #3 container 628 to 742 cubic inches and a #5 container -- which was commonly known as a 5-gallon container -- is 785 to 1242 cubic inches.

What is #1 Pot Size? The gallon (4 L.) nursery containers, or #1 pots, are the most common nursery pot sizes used in the industry. While they normally only hold 3 quarts (3 L) of soil (using liquid measure), they are still considered to be 1-gallon (4 L.) pots.

Most pot sizes are referred to by their volume capacity in litres, with the exception of pots that are smaller than 1 litre which is usually referred to by the diameter or cross section of the top of the pot (P9 is approximately a 9 x 9 cm pot).

A number 5 container, which is also displayed as #5 container, is 5 gallons in size. You can convert that number (#) symbol to gallons, to quickly find the size. Specific dimensions may vary depending on the plants root base inside the container.

1 Gallon Plants

Expect the plant size to be between 6 inches to 2 feet tall and 6 to 18 inches wide.

Shipping containers and storage containers can come in a range of sizes, 20ft and 40ft shipping containers are the most common container lengths (externally) and 8ft in width as standard. Commonly the height of a container will be 8ft 6” and a high cube will have an additional foot to be 9ft 6”.

Generally, using three or four plants in 10 to 12-inch planters, four to six plants in 14 to 16-inch planters and six to eight plants in 16 to 20-inch planters will fill out containers nicely while allowing room for the plants to grow without excessive crowding.

In a too-large pot, soil dries slowly, making your plant more susceptible to root rot. When a plant is too large for its pot, it also has a tendency to tip over. In a too-small pot, soil dries so quickly that you will be challenged to water frequently enough.

Most commonly, containers are around 10-feet, 20-feet, or 40-feet long, each at around 8 feet wide. The height of each shipping container varies between standard height (8 feet 6 inches) and "high cube" (9 feet 6 inches), which are often used to increase storage space or create better air circulation.

Which pots are best for outdoor plants? ›

Synthetic materials like plastic, fiberglass, and metal are popular choices for outdoor planters. They are more durable and weather-resistant than natural materials and come in various shapes and sizes.

Potted Plants Must Match

We encourage color and size variations, just make sure you pick the right pot for the right flower in order to create a look that works. If a plant is too small, too big, or too vibrant for a certain planter it won't look right.

2 Gallon / #2 Container Sized Pots:

This size is also known as a #2 pot in some states. The dry volume of this pot is 1.5 gallons or 5.678 liters. The plants in this size pot are usually three years old.

Container gardening or pot gardening/farming is the practice of growing plants, including edible plants, exclusively in containers instead of planting them in the ground. A container in gardening is a small, enclosed and usually portable object used for displaying live flowers or plants.

Typically, shipping containers come in three popular sizes 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft with an approximate width of 8 feet. They are available in two height variations – the standard height is 8 feet 6 inches and the high cube version measures 9 feet 6 inches tall.

When choosing a pot, choose a pot that is 1-2” larger than the current size if the plant is currently in a 10” pot or smaller. If your current pot size is >10”, choose a pot that is 2-3” larger in diameter.