Tomatoes in Pots – One Plant in 5 Gallons

Tomatoes in Pots – One Plant in 5 Gallons guide illustration

Grow a tomato in a draining pot of at least 5 gallons. Use soilless mix, one plant per pot, and water when the top of the mix is dry.

Tomatoes in Containers care summary diagram

Use a draining pot at least 5 gallons

FactorRecommendedAvoid
SizeAt least 5 gallons and about a foot deep; larger is easier to waterDo not squeeze a vining plant into a 1-gallon pot
DrainHoles in the bottom; a 5-gallon bucket with extra holes worksDo not use a sealed decorative pot with no outlet
MixSoilless potting mixDo not fill the pot with garden soil
PlantsOne tomato per potDo not crowd two vines in one bucket

Tomato roots want volume. A patio or bush type is easier in a pot. A vining type still works in a large container with a cage. [1] [2] Five gallons is the working minimum. Deeper than a foot holds moisture longer in heat. [3] [4] Choose the habit on Types of Tomatoes before you buy the pot.

How big a pot do tomatoes need?

At least 5 gallons, about a foot deep, with drainage holes. One plant per pot.

How to grow tomatoes in a container

  1. Drill drainage holes if the pot has none. Set the pot where it will get at least six hours of sun.
  2. Fill with soilless mix, not garden soil. Water the mix before you plant.
  3. Set one transplant per pot. Bury some stem, as you would in a bed, then firm the mix.
  4. Add a cage or stake at planting so you are not driving it through roots later.
  5. Water until extra runs from the holes. In heat, that may be every day.

Water when the mix dries on top

A pot dries faster than a bed. Feel the top of the mix. When it is dry, water until the excess drains. Do not let the mix go bone-dry at fruit set, and do not leave the pot standing in a saucer of water. Uneven moisture in a small pot is a fast path to blossom-end rot. A larger pot buys you time between waterings.

If the mix is bone-dry at noon and flowers are dropping, water deeper — do not mist the leaves.

FAQ

Can I grow tomatoes indoors under lights?

A bright, warm room can hold a plant through winter. The usual keep-alive is a draining patio pot in full sun.

Recommended plants

References

  1. [1] Iowa State Extension - https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/growing-tomatoes-containers
  2. [2] University of New Hampshire Extension - https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2020/01/what-best-way-grow-tomatoes-container
  3. [3] NC State Extension Gardener - https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solanum-lycopersicum/
  4. [4] University of Maryland Extension - https://extension.umd.edu/resource/growing-tomatoes-home-garden

This note is part of Tomato Guides.

More container notes by plant live in Container Growing Guides.

Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors

This guide is written for real gardens, not perfect climates. Results vary with site, season, and plant choice. We draw on multiple sources and practical experience; treat the steps here as honest guidance, not a promise that every bed will behave the same.