What to Grow in 7 Gallon Grow Bags: Best Plants Guide

Introduction

A 7 gallon grow bag is a versatile container size for a wide range of crops. It provides enough root space for medium-sized vegetables and productive harvests. Ideal for patios, balconies, backyard gardens, greenhouse benches, and intensive container gardening systems. In this guide, you’ll learn what you can grow in a 7 gallon grow bag.

Why Choose 7 Gallon Fabric Grow Bags?

✅ Enough root space for medium-sized crops.

✅ Better moisture retention than smaller containers.

✅ Excellent drainage and root aeration.

✅ Air pruning helps prevent root circling.

✅ Easy to move and manage.

✅ Suitable for patios, balconies, greenhouses, and backyard gardens.

A 7 gallon grow bag provides a strong balance between container size and growing efficiency.

What Can You Grow in 7 Gallon Grow Bags?

7 gallon grow bags can handle medium to large plants. They support deeper roots, larger plants, and higher yields.

Fruiting Vegetables (Top Performers)

These plants benefit the most from the extra root space.

✅ Tomatoes (determinate or compact indeterminate varieties).

✅ Peppers (bell, jalapeño, chili).

✅ Eggplant.

✅ Compact kale varieties.

These crops perform especially well in fabric pots.

7 gallon grow bags are commonly used for:

✔️ Patio vegetable gardens.

✔️ Balcony gardening.

✔️ Greenhouse container systems.

✔️ Small-space food production.

Recommended Planting Density:

✅ Tomatoes: 1 plant per bag.

✅ Peppers: 1–2 plants per bag.

✅ Eggplant: 1 plant per bag.

✅ Kale: 1–2 compact plants per bag.

Growing Tips:

✔️ Use stakes or cages for tomatoes and peppers.

✔️ Place bags in full sunlight for better yields.

✔️ Feed fruiting crops regularly during flowering stages.

✔️ Avoid overcrowding to maintain airflow.

Root Vegetables

The deeper soil allows proper root development.

✅ Potatoes.

✅ Carrots.

✅ Beets.

✅ Turnips.

Loose, well-draining potting soil helps improve root shape and reduces compaction.

Recommended Planting Density:

✔️ Potatoes: 2–3 seed potatoes per bag.

✔️ Carrots: 15–25 plants per bag.

✔️ Beets: 5–8 plants per bag.

✔️ Turnips: 5–8 plants per bag.

Growing Tips:

✅ Use lightweight potting mix instead of heavy garden soil.

✅ Hill potatoes gradually as plants grow.

✅ Keep soil consistently moist during root development.

✅ Thin crowded seedlings early for larger harvests.

Leafy Greens (Higher Volume Harvest)

You can grow more per bag compared to 3 or 5 gallon sizes.

✅ Lettuce.

✅ Kale.

✅ Swiss chard.

✅ Spinach.

These crops are ideal for succession planting and continuous harvesting.

Recommended Planting Density:

✔️ Lettuce: 4–6 plants per bag.

✔️ Spinach: 6–8 plants per bag.

✔️ Swiss chard: 2–3 plants per bag.

✔️ Kale: 1–2 plants per bag.

Growing Tips:

✅ Harvest outer leaves regularly for continuous growth.

✅ Use mulch to reduce evaporation during hot weather.

✅ Provide afternoon shade in very warm climates.

Herbs (Single or Mixed Planting)

More space = larger, bushier herbs.

✅ Basil.

✅ Rosemary.

✅ Mint.

✅ Parsley.

✅ Cilantro.

Mint spreads aggressively and is usually best grown alone.

Recommended Planting Density:

✔️ Basil: 2–3 plants per bag.

✔️ Parsley: 2–4 plants per bag.

✔️ Cilantro: 3–4 plants per bag.

✔️ Mint: 1 plant per bag.

✔️ Rosemary: 1 plant per bag.

Growing Tips:

✅ Harvest herbs regularly to encourage bushier growth.

✅ Combine shallow-rooted herbs carefully to maximize space.

✅ Avoid overwatering Mediterranean herbs like rosemary.

Small Fruits & Flowers

Some compact fruit crops and flowers also perform well in 7 gallon fabric pots.

Best Small Fruits:

✅ Strawberries.

✅ Compact blueberry varieties.

Best Flowers:

✅ Marigolds.

✅ Petunias.

✅ Pansies.

✅ Alyssum.

Flowers can help attract pollinators and beneficial insects to container gardens.

Recommended Planting Density:

✔️ Strawberries: 4–6 plants per bag.

✔️ Blueberries: 1 compact plant per bag.

✔️ Flowers: 3–5 plants depending on variety.

What NOT to Grow in 7 Gallon Grow Bags

Although 7 gallon grow bags are versatile, some crops require significantly more root space.

❌ Large indeterminate tomatoes.

❌ Fruit trees.

❌ Large pumpkins and squash.

❌ Corn.

❌ Large melons.

These crops generally perform better in 10 gallon, 15 gallon, 20 gallon grow bags or larger.

How Many Plants Per 7 Gallon Grow Bag?

Here’s a quick guideline:

✅ Tomatoes: 1 plant.

✅ Peppers: 1–2 plants.

✅ Potatoes: 2–3 plants.

✅ Leafy greens: 4–6 plants.

✅ Herbs: 2–4 plants.

✅ Strawberries: 4–6 plants.

Spacing is critical. Overcrowding reduces yield and airflow.

How Many Potatoes in a 7 Gallon Grow Bag?

This is one of the most common grow bag questions.

✔️ Recommended Planting: 2–3 seed potatoes per 7 gallon grow bag.

✔️ Expected Yield: About 5–10 pounds of potatoes per bag. This depends on variety and care.

Potato Growing Tips:

✅ Start with several inches of soil at the bottom.

✅ Add more soil gradually as plants grow taller.

✅ Keep soil evenly moist throughout the season.

Soil, Watering & Fertilizing Tips

How Much Soil for a 7 Gallon Grow Bag?

A 7 gallon grow bag requires around 1 cubic foot of soil.

For best results, use lightweight, well-draining growing media.

Combine: compost, coco coir or peat moss, perlite for drainage.

How Often to Water 7 Gallon Fabric Pots?

In warm weather, this usually means watering 2–4 times per week. Ensure even moisture.

Fabric grow bags dry faster than plastic pots. Check daily in warm weather.

Drip irrigation systems can help maintain stable moisture in greenhouse and multi-container setups.

Feed Regularly

Use slow-release fertilizer at planting time.

Apply liquid fertilizer every 1–2 weeks during active growth.

Heavy-feeding crops require additional nutrients during fruiting.

Conclusion

So, what to grow in 7 gallon grow bags? The answer includes tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, root vegetables, leafy greens, herbs, and even small fruits.

Check What Can You Grow in Grow Bags for a complete crop list across all grow bag capacities.

Related Guides:

What to Grow in 5 Gallon Grow Bags

What Can You Grow in 10 Gallon Grow Bags