If you want to grow fresh fruits, vegetables, or herbs but don’t have much space, grow bags are one of the best solutions. They are lightweight, portable, and ideal for balconies, patios, small backyards, and even indoor gardening. But here comes the big question: What can you grow in grow bags?
In this guide, we will walk through the most popular plants you can grow in grow bags, the right bag sizes for each, and tips for success. We will also cover some frequently searched questions like what size grow bag for blueberries, what to grow in 5 gallon grow bags, and more—so you will have everything you need to start growing like a pro.
Why Grow Bags Are Great for Gardening
Before diving into the list of plants, let’s quickly talk about why grow bags have become a favorite for gardeners:
- Better Root Health – The breathable fabric allows air pruning, preventing roots from circling and becoming root-bound.
- Portable and Flexible – You can move them easily to get more sunlight or protect from bad weather.
- No Soil-Borne Disease Risk – Using fresh potting mix in grow bags keeps your plants safe from many soil pests.
- Great for Small Spaces – Perfect for balconies, patios, rooftops, or rented homes.
Vegetables You Can Grow in Grow Bags (and the Best Sizes)
Vegetables are the most common choice for grow bags. Here are some top picks, along with recommended bag sizes for healthy growth.
1. What Size Grow Bags for Potatoes
When it comes to potatoes, giving them enough space is key to a big harvest. Potatoes grow upward as you add soil, so depth matters just as much as width.
For most gardeners, a 10–15 gallon (38–57 liters) grow bag is the sweet spot, fitting 3–5 seed potatoes. If you want an even bigger harvest or plan to plant multiple varieties in the same bag, go for 20 gallons (76 liters).
Quick Planting Guide: Start with 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) of good-quality potting mix. Place your seed potatoes on top, eyes facing up, then cover with soil. As plants grow, keep adding soil (“hilling up”) until the bag is full.
Pro Tip: Choose a bag with a harvest flap or foldable sides — it makes digging out your potatoes a lot easier and cleaner.
2. What Size Grow Bag for Carrots
Carrots are all about depth. They need room for those long, straight roots to grow without hitting the bottom and getting stubby.
A 7–10 gallon (26–38 liters) grow bag that’s at least 12 inches (30 cm) deep is perfect. If you want to grow longer carrot varieties like Imperator, choose an even deeper bag. For smaller spaces, go for shorter types like Nantes or Chantenay.
Quick Planting Guide: Fill your bag with loose, well-draining soil free from stones. Sow seeds directly into the bag, spacing them according to the variety. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Pro Tip: Don’t transplant carrots — they don’t like their roots disturbed. Always direct sow.
3. What Size Grow Bag for Zucchini
Zucchini is a space hog — both above and below ground. The roots need room, and the leaves can sprawl out, so give them space to shine.
Choose a 10–15 gallon (38–57 liters) grow bag for one plant. Zucchinis are heavy feeders, so make sure your soil is rich and you water regularly.
Quick Planting Guide: Plant one zucchini seedling per bag. Place in full sun, and give the leaves plenty of airflow to prevent mildew.
Pro Tip: Harvest zucchinis when they’re small and tender — it keeps the plant producing more.
4. What Size Grow Bag for Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes love deep, loose soil to stretch their tubers. Without enough room, you’ll end up with small, stringy roots.
A 15–20 gallon (57–76 liters) grow bag gives them space to grow big and healthy. They also prefer warm weather, so wait until your nights are consistently above 60°F (15°C) before planting.
Quick Planting Guide: Plant slips (sprouted sweet potato shoots) in well-draining, sandy soil. Water deeply but let the soil dry slightly between waterings.
Pro Tip: Sweet potato vines can be long — train them up a trellis to save space and improve airflow.
5. What Size Grow Bag for Bell Peppers
Bell peppers don’t need huge bags, but they do need warmth and good drainage.
A 5–7 gallon (19–26 liters) grow bag is perfect for one pepper plant. In cooler climates, dark-colored bags help keep the soil warm.
Quick Planting Guide: Plant one seedling per bag in full sun. Keep the soil evenly moist and feed with a balanced fertilizer every few weeks.
Pro Tip: Pinch off the first few flowers so the plant puts more energy into growing strong before producing peppers.
6. What Size Grow Bag for Squash
For large squash varieties like butternut or acorn, you’ll need a 15–20 gallon (57–76 liters) grow bag. Smaller summer squashes, like pattypan, do fine in 10 gallons (38 liters).
Quick Planting Guide: Plant one seedling per bag. Squash needs lots of sun and consistent watering to prevent blossom-end rot.
Pro Tip: Mulch the soil surface to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
7. What Size Grow Bag for Watermelon
Mini or dwarf watermelon varieties are perfect for containers. They still need a lot of root space, so use a 20–25 gallon (76–95 liters) grow bag.
Quick Planting Guide: Plant one seedling per bag, give it full sun, and water deeply. Consider a trellis with slings to support the fruit if you’re short on space.
Pro Tip: Don’t overwater when fruits start ripening — it can make them less sweet.
8. What Size Grow Bag for Cantaloupe
Cantaloupes need similar conditions to watermelon but don’t grow quite as large. A 15–20 gallon (57–76 liters) grow bag works well.
Quick Planting Guide: Train vines up a trellis to save space, and use netting to cradle the fruit as it grows.
Pro Tip: For sweeter melons, reduce watering in the last 7–10 days before harvest.
9. What Size Grow Bag for Strawberries
Strawberries are compact but love to spread runners, so a 3–5 gallon (11–19 liters) bag works for several plants.
Quick Planting Guide: Use a strawberry-specific or multi-pocket grow bag to maximize planting space. Keep them in full sun and water consistently.
Pro Tip: Remove runners in the first year so plants focus on fruit production.
10. What Size Grow Bag for Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry tomatoes are one of the easiest crops for grow bags. A 5–7 gallon (19–26 liters) bag is just right for one plant, with enough room for roots and steady fruiting.
Quick Planting Guide: Stake or cage your plant for support. Feed with tomato fertilizer every 2–3 weeks for the best flavor and yield.
Pro Tip: Pick tomatoes regularly to keep the plant producing new fruit.
Fruits You Can Grow in Grow Bags
1. What Size Grow Bag for Blueberries
Blueberries are a bit picky when it comes to soil—they love acidic conditions and plenty of room for their roots to spread out. To give your blueberries the best shot at thriving, choose a 12–15 gallon (45–57 liters) grow bag. This size provides enough space for the root system to develop strong and healthy.
Planting Tips: Use a specially formulated acidic potting mix with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5—regular potting soil just won’t cut it. Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging, as blueberries don’t like “wet feet.”
Pro Tip: Mulching the top of the soil helps retain moisture and keeps the roots cool, especially during hot summer days.
2. What Size Grow Bag for Citrus Trees
Small citrus trees like lemons, limes, and even kumquats make excellent container plants—and grow bags are a fantastic option. For these sun-loving trees, a 15–20 gallon (57–76 liters) grow bag offers enough space for the roots to grow and access nutrients.
Planting Tips: Place your citrus grow bag in a sunny spot where it gets at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Citrus trees also appreciate warmth, so if you live in a cooler climate, bring your grow bag indoors during the winter to protect it from frost.
Pro Tip: Citrus trees love humidity, so mist the leaves occasionally or place a humidity tray nearby, especially indoors.
3. What Size Grow Bag for Figs
Figs are surprisingly adaptable and do well in containers, making grow bags an excellent choice for urban gardeners. A 20-gallon (76 liters) grow bag provides enough room for their root systems to flourish while keeping the plant manageable in size.
Planting Tips: Use well-draining soil, and prune your fig tree regularly to keep its size in check and encourage fruit production. Figs prefer full sun, so make sure your grow bag gets plenty of light throughout the day.
Pro Tip: Figs can tolerate some drought, but for best fruit yields, water deeply and consistently during the growing season.
Herbs That Love Grow Bags
Herbs are perfect for smaller grow bags and can be grown indoors or outdoors.
- Basil – 3–5 gallon bag
- Mint – 3–5 gallon bag (keep it contained to avoid spreading)
- Rosemary – 5–7 gallon bag
- Cilantro – 3-gallon bag
You can even mix different herbs in one large grow bag for a mini kitchen garden.
What to Grow in 5 Gallon Grow Bags
If you only have 5 gallon grow bags, here are some great options:
- Cherry tomatoes
- Bell peppers
- Herbs (basil, parsley, cilantro)
- Strawberries
- Bush beans
Tip: Smaller bags dry out faster, so keep an eye on watering.
General Grow Bag Gardening Tips
Whether you are just starting out or you’ve been gardening for years, a few simple tips can make a huge difference when growing plants in grow bags. Here’s what we recommend to help your plants thrive:
1. Use the Right Soil
One of the biggest mistakes is using regular garden soil. Grow bags need light, well-draining potting mix because heavy soil can hold too much water and cause root problems. Look for a high-quality potting mix designed for containers, and don’t be shy about mixing in some compost or organic fertilizer for extra nutrients. This will give your plants the best start and help them grow strong and healthy.
2. Water Consistently
Because grow bags are made from breathable fabric, they tend to dry out faster than traditional pots or garden beds. Especially in hot weather, you’ll want to check your soil moisture daily. When the top inch feels dry, it’s time to water. Try to water deeply so the roots get a good soak, but avoid overwatering—grow bags usually drain well, so excess water escapes quickly.
3. Fertilize Regularly
Plants in grow bags don’t have the luxury of accessing nutrients from the wider soil, so feeding them is important. We suggest using a liquid fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks. Choose a balanced fertilizer or one tailored for the type of plants you’re growing. Regular feeding keeps your plants vibrant, encourages fruiting and flowering, and helps prevent nutrient deficiencies.
4. Position for Sunlight
Most vegetables and fruits love sun—and they need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight every day. Find the brightest spot you can, whether it’s a balcony, rooftop, or sunny corner of your garden. If you have limited space, you can even move your grow bags around during the day to catch the sun as it moves.
Conclusion
Grow bags make it easy to grow fresh food anywhere, even without a garden. Whether you want potatoes in a 15-gallon bag, strawberries in a 3-gallon bag, or a full vegetable mix, there is a grow bag size for every plant.
At INITI, we specialize in manufacturing custom grow bags for gardeners, retailers, and brands worldwide. From small herb bags to large 25-gallon fruit tree bags, we can customize size, color, material, and branding to fit your needs. Contact us today to get a quote and start growing in style.