If I hadn’t owned fabric planting containers, there were some years I wouldn’t have had a garden at all.
I used fabric grow bags for over a decade to grow my garden because I just didn’t have the space for anything else.
Fabric planters offer the benefit of being lightweight and easy to move as well as allowing you to customize the size of your container for any space you have available.
If you’re looking for a way to grow vegetables or flowers without taking up much space, then growing with fabric planting containers may be perfect for you!
This post is all about fabric planting containers!
What Are Fabric Planting Containers?
Fabric planting containers are referred to many names: fabric pots, fabric grow bags, fabric planters, cloth pots, and fabric grow pots to name a few.
They are all simply fabric pots that are cut and sewn in the shape of a pot to hold growing plants.
Why Do People Use Them?
Fabric pots are popular for a few reasons. They are inexpensive, portable, and drain effectively to eliminate the chance of root rot.
Fabric Pots are Inexpensive
Compared to popular metal raised beds or wooden planter boxes, fabric pots are inexpensive. Their affordability makes container gardening accessible for many people who wouldn’t grow their own food otherwise. You can purchase fabric pots for just a few dollars per pot.
Fabric Pots are Portable
Another benefit of fabric pots is that they are portable. Most sizes come with handles so they are easily moved. There are several instances when this comes in handy.
When your temperatures are still close to freezing at night, it’s handy to be able to move the pots to a warmer spot so your plants don’t freeze.
It’s also crucial to be able to move your pots to get adequate sunlight OR to move them into a shaded area if they are getting too much sun.
Fabric Pots Create a Healthier Plant by Root Air-Pruning
The roots in fabric pots travel from the plant to the inside edge of the pot where they encounter air from outside the pot.
This causes the root to stop growing and the plant sends out another root, instead of root wrapping.
The result is a vigorous root ball, which is key to growing healthy plants.
Root wrapping is what happens to roots inside rigid containers like clay pots, ceramic pots, or plastic materials.
This root wrapping causes the root structure to wind around the outside edge of the pot over and over again. The roots don’t get the nutrients they need this way and the plant’s growth is stunted.
Nutrient uptake is reduced significantly in this case compared to the plants in fabric pots, where the root systems are vigorous which leads to healthier plants.
Fabric Containers I Recommend
There are a variety of sizes and shapes of fabric containers to choose from so you can find the perfect one for your space. They also come in a range of prices so you can find one that is affordable for you.
Smart Pots
Smart Pots was the first brand of fabric pots that I used in my garden, and many consider them the industry leader.
They are very durable and you can definitely tell the difference between them and other brands. I find the fabric on these to be thicker and a bit more durable than other brands.
They also have a nice selection of sizes, which means they should accommodate any space you need your container for.
The Smart Pot container sizes I used were:
One Gallon Transplanter (click here for current price)
These transplanters are amazing. They hold about a gallon of soil and allow you to grow a seedling for several months before you have to transplant it.
This is helpful for when you don’t have space in your garden yet and need a place that can allow plants to grow for a while.
“Transplanter” means that there is an access flap built into the pot so you can peel the whole pot away from the plant, then plant it in its new home.
It’s easy to reuse the pots over and over again. I’ve had mine for several years, and they hold up very well.
You can even knock out all the excess dirt and wash them in your washing machine! After all, they are fabric, which keeps them looking brand-new for years. You definitely can’t do that with regular plastic pots.
5 Gallon Pot (click here for current price)
I use these for single pepper plants or patio tomatoes. I find these a bit too small for a full-size tomato plant. I’ve also grown lettuce mixes and herbs in these.
15 Gallon Pot (click here for current price)
I use this size for an herb garden or several varieties of vegetables together, such as summer squash, lettuce, herbs, and cucumbers.
I’ve grown salad greens, bunching onions, peppers, beans, and peas in these as well.
25 Gallon Pot (click here for current price)
2 or 3 cherry tomato plants will fit perfectly in this container. I also grew a single heirloom tomato plant in one of these, and then transported it in a cargo van over 700 miles in July 2020.
That tomato plant gave me pounds and pounds of production until our first frost in November 2020.
Smart Pots Big Bag Fabric Raised Bed (click here for current price)
I used this raised bed in my balcony vegetable garden. It is over 4 feet wide and holds over 13 gallons of soil.
Smart Pots Wallflower Hanging Planter (click here for current price)
The Wallflower hanging planters hang over porch rails, and allow you to plant on either side of the rail. These are absolutely PERFECT for maximizing your growing area in small spaces.
I’ve planted entire pepper plants on one side of a planter and herbs on the other. They don’t dry out since they can hold enough soil to stay moist.
Smart Pots 8 Foot Long Bed (click here for current price)
I have 2 of these long beds, and I planted my Dahlia tubers in them this summer. They hold a lot of soil– 10.7 cubic feet of it–and can grow an entire garden in one 8 ft long bed.
Root Pouch
Root Pouch has several different sizes of containers to fit your growing needs. They are another popular brand of fabric pot.
10 Gallon Root Pouch
I use the 10 gallon sized Root Pouch (click here for the current price) to grow all kinds of vegetables.
I have a 10-pack of them and plant lettuce mixes, bunching onions, celery, swiss chard, kale, and carrots in them.
My back deck does not get consistent sunlight in the summertime because of the tall trees that surround it, so I can move these pots around the deck to make sure they receive enough sunlight to grow well.
Tips for Choosing Fabric Pots
- Choose a lighter-colored pot for ones that will be in full sun. Some brands carry tan pots that will remain cooler to the touch than black.
- Pots will dry out faster than larger containers, so check your plants often and water as needed. You can also set up drip irrigation in pots. There are several container drip irrigation systems available. I have used this Raindrip kit (click here to check the current price) with success in my containers. It’s easy to forget to water them as often as they need, especially in hotter months.
- Choose a size that is large enough to keep an appropriate moisture level, but small enough to be able to move as you need. For me, the perfect size is a 10-gallon pot.
- Pots hold a specific amount of soil, and water can leach nutrients out of that soil over time. Remember to regularly amend the soil in your containers for best growth and continued harvests.
Conclusion
I love using fabric containers for growing a garden.
For over a decade, I had so many shady spots in my yard that I had to find sunny places and just put fabric planting containers there instead of creating an entire in-ground garden.
I STILL use fabric containers to grow in, even inside my 2500 square foot in-ground garden.
My garden is surrounded by a deer fence so the growing space inside is at a PREMIUM.
When I’m running low on space but I still have varieties to grow, or a surprise plant order that I forgot about gets shipped to my door, I can always use grow bags to accommodate them until a more permanent space becomes available.
Fabric planting containers are inexpensive, they air prune to allow the formation of a vigorous root ball that leads to strong, healthy plants, and are easy to move.
If you have avoided growing a garden because you thought you didn’t have enough space or sun, check out the fabric containers mentioned in this post, and start planting!
If I hadn’t owned fabric planting containers, there were some years I wouldn’t have had a garden at all.
I used fabric grow bags for over a decade to grow my garden because I just didn’t have the space for anything else.
Fabric planters offer the benefit of being lightweight and easy to move as well as allowing you to customize the size of your container for any space you have available.
If you’re looking for a way to grow vegetables or flowers without taking up much space, then growing with fabric planting containers may be perfect for you!
This post is all about fabric planting containers!
What Are Fabric Planting Containers?
Fabric planting containers are referred to many names: fabric pots, fabric grow bags, fabric planters, cloth pots, and fabric grow pots to name a few.
They are all simply fabric pots that are cut and sewn in the shape of a pot to hold growing plants.
Why Do People Use Them?
Fabric pots are popular for a few reasons. They are inexpensive, portable, and drain effectively to eliminate the chance of root rot.
Fabric Pots are Inexpensive
Compared to popular metal raised beds or wooden planter boxes, fabric pots are inexpensive. Their affordability makes container gardening accessible for many people who wouldn’t grow their own food otherwise. You can purchase fabric pots for just a few dollars per pot.
Fabric Pots are Portable
Another benefit of fabric pots is that they are portable. Most sizes come with handles so they are easily moved. There are several instances when this comes in handy.
When your temperatures are still close to freezing at night, it’s handy to be able to move the pots to a warmer spot so your plants don’t freeze.
It’s also crucial to be able to move your pots to get adequate sunlight OR to move them into a shaded area if they are getting too much sun.
Fabric Pots Create a Healthier Plant by Root Air-Pruning
The roots in fabric pots travel from the plant to the inside edge of the pot where they encounter air from outside the pot.
This causes the root to stop growing and the plant sends out another root, instead of root wrapping.
The result is a vigorous root ball, which is key to growing healthy plants.
Root wrapping is what happens to roots inside rigid containers like clay pots, ceramic pots, or plastic materials.
This root wrapping causes the root structure to wind around the outside edge of the pot over and over again. The roots don’t get the nutrients they need this way and the plant’s growth is stunted.
Nutrient uptake is reduced significantly in this case compared to the plants in fabric pots, where the root systems are vigorous which leads to healthier plants.
Fabric Containers I Recommend
There are a variety of sizes and shapes of fabric containers to choose from so you can find the perfect one for your space. They also come in a range of prices so you can find one that is affordable for you.
Smart Pots
Smart Pots was the first brand of fabric pots that I used in my garden, and many consider them the industry leader.
They are very durable and you can definitely tell the difference between them and other brands. I find the fabric on these to be thicker and a bit more durable than other brands.
They also have a nice selection of sizes, which means they should accommodate any space you need your container for.
The Smart Pot container sizes I used were:
These transplanters are amazing. They hold about a gallon of soil and allow you to grow a seedling for several months before you have to transplant it.
This is helpful for when you don’t have space in your garden yet and need a place that can allow plants to grow for a while.
“Transplanter” means that there is an access flap built into the pot so you can peel the whole pot away from the plant, then plant it in its new home.
It’s easy to reuse the pots over and over again. I’ve had mine for several years, and they hold up very well.
You can even knock out all the excess dirt and wash them in your washing machine! After all, they are fabric, which keeps them looking brand-new for years. You definitely can’t do that with regular plastic pots.
I use these for single pepper plants or patio tomatoes. I find these a bit too small for a full-size tomato plant. I’ve also grown lettuce mixes and herbs in these.
I use this size for an herb garden or several varieties of vegetables together, such as summer squash, lettuce, herbs, and cucumbers.
I’ve grown salad greens, bunching onions, peppers, beans, and peas in these as well.
2 or 3 cherry tomato plants will fit perfectly in this container. I also grew a single heirloom tomato plant in one of these, and then transported it in a cargo van over 700 miles in July 2020.
That tomato plant gave me pounds and pounds of production until our first frost in November 2020.
I used this raised bed in my balcony vegetable garden. It is over 4 feet wide and holds over 13 gallons of soil.
The Wallflower hanging planters hang over porch rails, and allow you to plant on either side of the rail. These are absolutely PERFECT for maximizing your growing area in small spaces.
I’ve planted entire pepper plants on one side of a planter and herbs on the other. They don’t dry out since they can hold enough soil to stay moist.
I have 2 of these long beds, and I planted my Dahlia tubers in them this summer. They hold a lot of soil– 10.7 cubic feet of it–and can grow an entire garden in one 8 ft long bed.
Root Pouch
Root Pouch has several different sizes of containers to fit your growing needs. They are another popular brand of fabric pot.
I use the 10 gallon sized Root Pouch (click here for the current price) to grow all kinds of vegetables.
I have a 10-pack of them and plant lettuce mixes, bunching onions, celery, swiss chard, kale, and carrots in them.
My back deck does not get consistent sunlight in the summertime because of the tall trees that surround it, so I can move these pots around the deck to make sure they receive enough sunlight to grow well.
Tips for Choosing Fabric Pots
- Choose a lighter-colored pot for ones that will be in full sun. Some brands carry tan pots that will remain cooler to the touch than black.
- Pots will dry out faster than larger containers, so check your plants often and water as needed. You can also set up drip irrigation in pots. There are several container drip irrigation systems available. I have used this Raindrip kit (click here to check the current price) with success in my containers. It’s easy to forget to water them as often as they need, especially in hotter months.
- Choose a size that is large enough to keep an appropriate moisture level, but small enough to be able to move as you need. For me, the perfect size is a 10-gallon pot.
- Pots hold a specific amount of soil, and water can leach nutrients out of that soil over time. Remember to regularly amend the soil in your containers for best growth and continued harvests.
Conclusion
I love using fabric containers for growing a garden.
For over a decade, I had so many shady spots in my yard that I had to find sunny places and just put fabric planting containers there instead of creating an entire in-ground garden.
I STILL use fabric containers to grow in, even inside my 2500 square foot in-ground garden.
My garden is surrounded by a deer fence so the growing space inside is at a PREMIUM.
When I’m running low on space but I still have varieties to grow, or a surprise plant order that I forgot about gets shipped to my door, I can always use grow bags to accommodate them until a more permanent space becomes available.
Fabric planting containers are inexpensive, they air prune to allow the formation of a vigorous root ball that leads to strong, healthy plants, and are easy to move.
If you have avoided growing a garden because you thought you didn’t have enough space or sun, check out the fabric containers mentioned in this post, and start planting!
