Don’t let the fear of space keep you from buying more plants. That’s how the saying goes, right? Even when garden beds fill up quickly, it’s easy to find extra room for plants using containers in your yard or on decks, patios, and porches. Containers are great for mixing and matching, growing fussy plants, and showcasing your favorites in prominent places.

Choosing the right size pot is important for a few reasons. When the pot is too small, roots become pot-bound, growth is stunted, and it dries out quickly. On the other hand, if it’s too large, the soil stays wet and the roots are susceptible to rot. So what size is the best?

We suggest pairing the pot size to the size of the plant you purchased, then repotting as it matures. So here are our guidelines for matching the diameter of the decorative container to the size of the plants for sale:

• 3-inch: 3-4″ pot
• Quart: 8-9″ pot
• 2-Quart: 9-10″ pot
• 1 gallon: 10-12″ pot

If your plant has outgrown its current container, try upsizing the pot by 2-4 inches. Remember to select pots that are proportionally wide to tall. Avoid shallow containers, unless you are growing succulents!

What about planting multiple plants in one pot? It really depends on what plants you choose! In this case, you’ll need a larger pot than what we recommend above. When planting, make sure the plants aren’t crammed together. If it’s difficult to squeeze all the plants in, your pot is too small.