Best Pots for the Garden: 10 Fabric, Plastic and Tall Planters Compared

Gallons beat inches when you pick a pot. A 10 inch pot and a 12 inch pot sound close, yet the RooTrimmer 5 Gallon Plastic Pots lists 5 gallons at 12 inches while the Land Guard 10 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags lists 10 gallons in fabric. The volume of soil decides how big a plant can grow and how often you water.

Material matters next. Fabric bags like the Land Guard 10 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags and Land Guard 5 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags breathe, hard plastic like the LiGuVCY 10 Gallon HDPE Nursery Pots and LiGuVCY 5 Gallon PP Nursery Pots stacks and reuses, and styled planters like the GSK 20 Inch Black Taper Planters and Worth 9 Gallon Tall Round Planters suit a porch. The FUIJOL 20 Pack Clear Nursery Pots is a small clear set for starting plants.

We compared 10 garden pots by material, size, pack and drainage, using only listing details. Sizes in gallons are listing figures, and some listings give inches only.

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On this page

1. Compare Garden Pots by Material, Size, Pack Size and Drainage
2. Detailed Reviews: Best Pots for the Garden
3. Do Not Pick a Pot by Its Diameter Alone
4. Check Drainage Before You Plant
5. How to Choose Pots for the Garden
6. Which Garden Pot Should You Choose?
7. Frequently Asked Questions
8. Final Verdict

Compare Garden Pots by Material, Size, Pack Size and Drainage

Detailed Reviews: Best Pots for the Garden

1. Land Guard 4-Pack Fabric Grow Bags 10 Gallon with Handles (Best overall pots for the garden)

• 10 galSize
• 4Pack
• NonwovenFabric
• YesHandles

Best for: tomatoes, peppers and other big vegetables

Why it ranks #1: It lists a large 10 gallon size, handles and fabric drainage in one set.

Land Guard lists thickened nonwoven fabric bags with handles. The listing says the fabric drains water through the soil, which it says helps avoid overwatering, and that the bags prevent circling roots.

The listing says the bags are lightweight and the handles let you move them when full. It also mentions thermal insulation and space saving as features.

Skip it if you want a rigid pot; the LiGuVCY 10 Gallon HDPE Nursery Pots is hard HDPE.

2. Land Guard 4-Pack Fabric Grow Bags 5 Gallon with Handles (Best smaller fabric pots for herbs and peppers)

• 5 galSize
• 4Pack
• NonwovenFabric
• YesHandles

Best for: herbs, peppers and smaller crops

Why it ranks #2: It repeats the same listed features in a smaller size.

Land Guard lists the same nonwoven fabric bag design in 5 gallons. The listing says the fabric drains water and allows roots to breathe.

The handles are listed for moving bags full of soil and plants. As with the 10 gallon bag, the listing says the bags prevent circling roots.

Skip it if you grow large plants; the Land Guard 10 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags is 10 gallons.

3. LiGuVCY 10 Pack 10 Gallon HDPE Nursery Pot (Best big pack of hard 10 gallon pots)

• 10 galSize
• 10Pack
• HDPEPlastic
• StackableStorage

Best for: a big planting with many large pots

Why it ranks #3: It lists the biggest pack of large pots here, and they are reusable.

LiGuVCY lists injection molded HDPE pots with drainage holes at the bottom. The listing says they are washable and reusable for many seasons.

They stack for storage, which the listing says saves space compared with ceramic nursery pots. The listing describes them as light and tough.

Skip it if you want a decorative pot; the GSK 20 Inch Black Taper Planters and Worth 9 Gallon Tall Round Planters are styled.

4. RooTrimmer 5 Gallon 12 Inch Plastic Nursery Pots 5 Pack (Best 5 gallon plastic pots with rolled rims)

• 5 galSize
• 12 inDiameter
• 5Pack
• RolledRim

Best for: shrubs, peppers and patio vegetables

Why it ranks #4: It lists a clear gallon and inch size with reinforced rims for carrying.

RooTrimmer lists 12 inch pots with a 5 gallon capacity of packed loose soil, or 3.2 gallons of liquid. The soft body and reinforced rims are listed for easy handling.

Each pot has drainage holes, and the listing says the textured surface reduces slipping. The rolled rims are listed as easy to hold when full.

Skip it if you want a larger pot; the LiGuVCY 10 Gallon HDPE Nursery Pots is 10 gallons.

5. LiGuVCY 10 Pack 5 Gallon PP Nursery Pot (Best 10 pack of 5 gallon pots)

• 5 galSize
• 10Pack
• PPPlastic
• StackableStorage

Best for: a larger veg patch in pots

Why it ranks #5: It lists ten 5 gallon pots with injection molded stackable build.

LiGuVCY lists ten injection molded PP pots of 5 gallons with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. The listing says they stack for storage and are easy to clean.

The listing suggests flowers, indoor plants, seedlings and vegetables, and says they suit starting seedlings and cuttings.

Skip it if you need only a few pots; the RooTrimmer 5 Gallon Plastic Pots has five.

6. GSK 20 in Plastic Black Taper Tall Garden Planter Set of 2 (Best tall black tapered garden planters)

• 20 inHeight
• 10.8 inDiameter
• About 5 galSoil each
• 2Pack

Best for: porch and patio statement plants

Why it ranks #6: It lists a clear size and soil volume, plus a plug that controls drainage.

GSK lists a matte black tapered square planter of 10.8 inches in diameter and 20 inches high, with about 5 gallons of potting mix per planter. The listing says it is made of lightweight polypropylene.

A pre-drilled base hole has a removable rubber plug, so you can keep the plug in indoors or pull it out on a deck. The listing says it resists chips and cracks.

Skip it if you want more pots in one pack; the LiGuVCY 10 Gallon HDPE Nursery Pots and LiGuVCY 5 Gallon PP Nursery Pots are packs of ten.

7. Worth 9 Gallon Tall Round Planters Set of 2 (Best stone finish tall round planters)

• 9 galSize
• 14 x 21 inDiameter x height
• 2Pack
• BeigeColor

Best for: tall plants and decorative trees

Why it ranks #7: It lists a clear 9 gallon size and a stone look in a pair.

Worth lists a matte beige finish that imitates the look and texture of real stone, with a curved shape and raised detail. The size is 14 inches in diameter and 21 inches high.

The listing says the pots have a pre-drilled hole with a removable rubber plug, and that they suit indoor and outdoor use year round.

Skip it if you want a fabric or nursery pot; the Land Guard 10 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags and LiGuVCY 10 Gallon HDPE Nursery Pots are plain working pots.

8. RooTrimmer 5 Pack 10 Inch Plant Pots Grey (Best 10 inch pots with hanging slots)

• 10 inDiameter
• 5Pack
• 3Rim slots
• GreyColor

Best for: mid-size flowers and foliage

Why it ranks #8: It lists three rim slots for hanging, which most pots here do not.

RooTrimmer lists thick plastic with a reinforced rim and bottom. Multiple bottom drainage holes let excess water escape.

Three built-in drainage slots on the rim let you use hooks or ropes to hang the pot, and the listing says hooks are not included.

Skip it if you grow large vegetables; the Land Guard 10 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags holds more soil.

9. SQKH 8 Inch Plastic Plant Pots Set of 5 with Saucers (Best 8 inch pots with saucers)

• 8 inDiameter
• 5Pack
• 48Holes each
• YesSaucers

Best for: herbs, succulents and small plants

Why it ranks #9: It lists saucers and a clear hole count, though the pots are small.

SQKH lists extra-thick polypropylene pots of 8 inches with 48 drainage holes at the bottom and saucers to collect water.

The listing suggests aloe, herbs, mint, orchids and succulents. It is sold in a variety of colors.

Skip it if you need big pots; the Land Guard 10 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags or LiGuVCY 10 Gallon HDPE Nursery Pots hold much more.

10. FUIJOL Clear Nursery Pots with Saucers 20 Pack Variety (Best clear pots for checking roots)

• 20Pack
• 4 to 7 inSizes
• 5 eachPer size
• YesSaucers

Best for: seedlings, cuttings and root checks

Why it ranks #10: It lists four sizes and 20 pots with saucers, so it suits starting plants.

FUIJOL lists 20 clear plastic pots, five each of 4, 5, 6 and 7 inches, and each has a matching tray. The listing says the clear walls let you watch roots without disturbing the plant.

Drainage holes are listed for aeration and to cut the risk of root rot. The pots are small, so they suit starting plants before you move them up.

Skip it if you want a final pot for big plants; the Land Guard 10 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags and LiGuVCY 10 Gallon HDPE Nursery Pots are bigger.

Do Not Pick a Pot by Its Diameter Alone

Diameter and volume are different things. The RooTrimmer 5 Gallon Plastic Pots lists 12 inches and 5 gallons, the RooTrimmer 10 Inch Plastic Pots lists 10 inches with no gallon figure, and the Worth 9 Gallon Tall Round Planters lists 14 inches across and 21 inches high for 9 gallons. A tall pot holds more soil than a wide, shallow one of the same width.

Match the pot to the plant. The Land Guard 5 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags and RooTrimmer 5 Gallon Plastic Pots suit herbs and peppers. The Land Guard 10 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags and LiGuVCY 10 Gallon HDPE Nursery Pots give big vegetables more room. The SQKH 8 Inch Plastic Pots with Saucers and FUIJOL 20 Pack Clear Nursery Pots suit small plants and starts.

Check Drainage Before You Plant

Every pot here lists drainage, but they work in different ways. The Land Guard 10 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags and Land Guard 5 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags drain through the fabric, the GSK 20 Inch Black Taper Planters and Worth 9 Gallon Tall Round Planters have a base hole with a rubber plug, and the SQKH 8 Inch Plastic Pots with Saucers lists 48 holes plus saucers.

If you use a plug, pull it out for outdoor use so roots do not sit in water. Fabric pots can dry out faster, so check the soil often in hot weather.

How to Choose Pots for the Garden

Material

The Land Guard 10 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags and Land Guard 5 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags are fabric. The LiGuVCY 10 Gallon HDPE Nursery Pots is HDPE, the LiGuVCY 5 Gallon PP Nursery Pots is PP and the GSK 20 Inch Black Taper Planters is resin. The RooTrimmer 5 Gallon Plastic Pots, RooTrimmer 10 Inch Plastic Pots, SQKH 8 Inch Plastic Pots with Saucers and FUIJOL 20 Pack Clear Nursery Pots are plastic, and the Worth 9 Gallon Tall Round Planters has a stone look finish.

Size

The Land Guard 10 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags and LiGuVCY 10 Gallon HDPE Nursery Pots are 10 gallons, the Worth 9 Gallon Tall Round Planters is 9 gallons, and the Land Guard 5 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags, RooTrimmer 5 Gallon Plastic Pots, LiGuVCY 5 Gallon PP Nursery Pots and GSK 20 Inch Black Taper Planters are about 5 gallons. The RooTrimmer 10 Inch Plastic Pots, SQKH 8 Inch Plastic Pots with Saucers and FUIJOL 20 Pack Clear Nursery Pots are small.

Pack size

The LiGuVCY 10 Gallon HDPE Nursery Pots and LiGuVCY 5 Gallon PP Nursery Pots come as ten, the FUIJOL 20 Pack Clear Nursery Pots as twenty, and the GSK 20 Inch Black Taper Planters and Worth 9 Gallon Tall Round Planters as two. Count your plants before you pick a pack.

Looks and storage

The LiGuVCY 10 Gallon HDPE Nursery Pots and LiGuVCY 5 Gallon PP Nursery Pots stack for storage. The GSK 20 Inch Black Taper Planters and Worth 9 Gallon Tall Round Planters look more decorative and suit a visible porch or patio.

Which Garden Pot Should You Choose?

• If you want the best all-round pot, choose the Land Guard 10 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags, because it lists 10 gallons and handles.
• If you grow herbs and peppers, choose the Land Guard 5 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags, because the 5 gallon size is enough for them.
• If you want many big hard pots, choose the LiGuVCY 10 Gallon HDPE Nursery Pots, because it comes as ten at 10 gallons.
• If you want rolled rims, choose the RooTrimmer 5 Gallon Plastic Pots, because the listing says they are easy to carry.
• If you need ten mid-size pots, choose the LiGuVCY 5 Gallon PP Nursery Pots, because they are 5 gallons each.
• If you want a tall black planter, choose the GSK 20 Inch Black Taper Planters, because it is 20 inches high.
• If you want a stone look, choose the Worth 9 Gallon Tall Round Planters, because it lists a stone finish at 9 gallons.
• If you want to hang pots, choose the RooTrimmer 10 Inch Plastic Pots, because it has rim slots.
• If you want saucers with small pots, choose the SQKH 8 Inch Plastic Pots with Saucers, because they come with each pot.
• If you start seedlings, choose the FUIJOL 20 Pack Clear Nursery Pots, because the clear walls show roots.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best pots for the garden?

For most gardens, the Land Guard 10 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags is the best pick here because it lists 10 gallons, handles and fabric drainage. For hard pots, the LiGuVCY 10 Gallon HDPE Nursery Pots is a 10 pack of 10 gallons.

Are fabric pots better than plastic pots?

Fabric bags like the Land Guard 10 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags breathe and drain through the fabric, but dry out faster. Plastic pots like the RooTrimmer 5 Gallon Plastic Pots hold water longer and keep a firm shape.

What size pot do tomatoes need?

Large vegetables usually do well in big pots, such as the 10 gallon Land Guard 10 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags or LiGuVCY 10 Gallon HDPE Nursery Pots. Check the plant tag for a specific size.

Do garden pots need drainage holes?

Yes. Every pot here lists drainage, such as the 48 holes of the SQKH 8 Inch Plastic Pots with Saucers or the plug hole of the GSK 20 Inch Black Taper Planters. Remove plugs outdoors so water can leave.

Which pots suit seedlings and cuttings?

The FUIJOL 20 Pack Clear Nursery Pots lists clear pots from 4 to 7 inches with saucers, so you can see roots. The SQKH 8 Inch Plastic Pots with Saucers is a small 8 inch option.

Can I hang these garden pots?

The RooTrimmer 10 Inch Plastic Pots lists three rim slots for hanging with hooks or rope. Hooks are not included. Check the weight of wet soil first.

Final Verdict

The Land Guard 10 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags is the best pot for the garden in this guide. It is a 4 pack of 10 gallon nonwoven fabric bags with handles and drainage through the fabric. If you want hard pots, the LiGuVCY 10 Gallon HDPE Nursery Pots is a 10 pack of 10 gallon HDPE pots. Before you buy, match the size in gallons to your plant and check the soil often in hot weather.

See the Land Guard 10 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags on Amazon