Plan on at least 5 gallons (about 19 litres) for a standard bush (determinate) tomato. Cherry and patio types can manage 2 to 3 gallons, and full-size vining (indeterminate) tomatoes do better in 10 gallons or more. Bigger is usually better.
Does your pot fit?
Tomato pot size by type
| Tomato type | Minimum pot | Litres |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry | 2 gallons | 8 |
| Patio or dwarf | 3 gallons | 11 |
| Standard bush (determinate) | 5 gallons | 19 |
| Full-size vining (indeterminate) | 10 gallons or more | 38 or more |
Minimums come from university extension guidance (sources below). A compact variety can live in a smaller pot than a full-size one.
Where to buy
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Choose a compact variety
Vining varieties such as Better Boy, Early Girl, Rutgers, Brandywine and Cherokee Purple keep growing until frost, which makes them hard to manage in containers. Look for names with words like “patio”, “balcony” or “bush”. Not every determinate is compact, so check the plant height on the label.
- Patio Choice Yellow: reaches about 18 inches and gives small yellow cherry tomatoes.
- Tumbler: a mounded plant suited to hanging baskets, with sweet cherry-sized fruit.
- Bush Early Girl: stays under 3 feet and ripens early, with fruit up to 4 inches across.
Pot checklist
- Drainage holes are essential, whatever the pot is made of.
- A container 14 to 20 inches across suits most compact varieties. A 5 gallon bucket with holes drilled in the bottom also works.
- Give the plant at least 6 hours of full sun.
- Add a cage or other support at planting for varieties taller than 2 feet.
- Expect to water daily in the height of summer. Pots that are too small dry out fast and can topple when the plant gets top-heavy.
- Feed with a timed-release fertiliser at planting, or a water-soluble one weekly.
- Plant deeply: tomatoes grow extra roots along a buried stem.
Common questions
Can I grow a tomato in a 5 gallon bucket? Yes, for a compact or bush variety. Five gallons is a minimum rather than an ideal, and larger plants may stay spindly in it.
Can I grow vining tomatoes in a pot? You can, but determinate and compact types are the recommended choice. If you do, use at least 10 gallons and strong support.
How much soil does my pot need? Use the calculator above. A true 5 gallon pot takes about 0.7 cubic feet, see how much soil for a 5 gallon pot.
Sources
- Clemson Cooperative Extension, Tomatoes in Containers
- University of Maryland Extension, Growing Vegetables in Containers and Salad Tables
- University of Maryland Extension, Maryland Grows (container notes)
- University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, tomato guidance
Soil calculator for any pot | How many gallons is a 12 inch pot