A 20 gallon pot is a popular choice for growing large plants, vegetables, and small trees.
This guide breaks down dimensions, cubic feet, soil requirements, and bag calculations. So you can choose and fill your container correctly.
How many inches is a 20 gallon pot? A typical 20 gallon plant pot size:
✔️ Diameter: 20–24 inches.
✔️ Height: 16–20 inches.
Quick Size Summary:
Width: about 2 feet across.
Height: about 1.5 feet tall.
Volume: 20 gallons.
We offer high quality 20 gallon nursery pots for farms, nurseries, and greenhouses.
How many cubic feet in a 20 gallon pot? A 20 gallon pot holds about 2.5–2.7 cubic feet of soil.
To fill a 20 gallon container, you’ll need: 2.5–2.7 cubic feet of potting soil.
✅ Actual soil used: ~2.3–2.5 cubic feet.
Pro Tip: You usually don’t need to fill 100%. Leave 1–2 inches at the top for watering space.
The number of bags depends on the size of the soil bags you purchase.
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| Bag Size | Bags Needed |
|---|---|
| 0.75 cu ft | 4 bags |
| 1 cu ft | 3 bags |
| 1.5 cu ft | 2 bags |
| 2 cu ft | 1.5 bags |
For most potting mixes, plan on buying:
✔️ 2–3 bags of soil per 20 gallon pot.
✔️ 3 bags if using 1 cubic foot bags.
✔️ 2 bags if using 1.5 cubic foot bags.
Buying a little extra soil is usually helpful because potting mix settles over time.
What Can You Grow in a 20 Gallon Pot? A 20 gallon pot provides enough root space for many large vegetables, fruits, shrubs, and small trees.
✅ Vegetables: Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplants, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Squash.
✅ Fruits: Blueberries, Dwarf citrus trees, Dwarf apple trees, Dwarf peach trees, Fig trees.
✅ Herbs and Edibles: Rosemary, Bay Laurel, Large herb combinations.
✅ Ornamental Plants: Roses, Hydrangeas, Small ornamental trees, Evergreen shrubs.
These plants need deep root systems and consistent moisture throughout the growing season.
👉 Swipe the table left/right to view all plant details.
| Plant Type | Plants per 20 Gallon Pot |
|---|---|
| Tomato | 1 plant |
| Cucumber | 1–2 plants |
| Zucchini | 1 plant |
| Pepper | 2–3 plants |
| Eggplant | 1–2 plants |
| Blueberry Bush | 1 plant |
| Dwarf Fruit Tree | 1 plant |
| Lettuce | 6–8 plants |
| Strawberries | 8–12 plants |
| Herbs | 4–8 plants |
✔️ Large fruiting crops: 1 plant.
✔️ Medium vegetables: 2–3 plants.
✔️ Leafy greens and herbs: multiple plants.
Avoid overcrowding, as excessive competition can reduce growth and yields.
Watering frequency depends on plant size, weather, soil type, and container material.
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| Condition | Watering Frequency |
|---|---|
| Cool Weather | Every 3–5 days |
| Mild Spring/Fall | Every 2–3 days |
| Hot Summer | Daily |
| Extreme Heat | 1–2 times per day |
✅ Top 1–2 inches of soil feels dry.
✅ Leaves begin to wilt during the morning.
✅ Soil pulls away from container sides.
✅ Pot feels noticeably lighter.
Water deeply until excess water drains from the bottom.
Check soil moisture before watering rather than following a strict schedule.
Large fruiting plants may require daily watering during peak summer temperatures.
Fabric pots typically dry out faster than plastic nursery pots and may need more frequent watering.
Yes. A 20 gallon pot provides enough root space for large indeterminate tomato varieties and supports higher yields.
Yes. Many dwarf and semi-dwarf fruit trees can grow successfully in a 20 gallon container.
You should grow most large vegetables one plant per container. Smaller crops may allow multiple plants.
A filled 20 gallon pot can weigh between 150 and 250 pounds. This depends on soil moisture and plant size.
See our complete Gallon Pot Size Guide.
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