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.

In the plant world, the # symbol is used as a number sign and not a pound sign or hashtag. The actual number refers to the approximate size of the container and how much soil it holds. For example, a number-one (#1) container holds approximately one gallon of soil.

2 gallon plants are more developed than 1 gallon plants, but cheaper than 3 gallon. 2 gallon pots are generally 8 to 10 inches wide and tall. 2 gallon plants are usually between 10 inches to 2.5 feet tall and 10 to 22 inches wide.

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).

Buy a pot with a diameter that's at least one inch wider than the diameter of your plant's root mass, and if you're expecting your plant to grow quickly, use a pot up to four inches wider.

#1 Grade Bare Root (G1)

The majority of our bare root product is sold as #1 Grade in multiples of 25, the ideal size for finishing quickly in 1-gallon containers or in 2-gallons if grown a little longer. (Peonies are sold in multiple of 10.)

Many plants are easily propagated through division, which is simply dividing the roots, tubers, or rhizomes from the parent plant. In most cases, you can simply get your hands a little dirty by working out the roots and separating different pieces.

Mature Size and Shape

Height: The plant's mature height can be listed on the front or back of the tag. Height is listed as a range from the minimum to the maximum average height. This is helpful for designing your garden. Spread: The spread is how wide you can expect the plant to grow.

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 a #2 plant container? ›

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.

Plants in #1 containers will range in height anywhere from 3-24″ depending on their age, growth rate, and cultivar.

A 30 gallon tree container has a volume of 36.8 and its dimension is 26inches x 18 inches.

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.