Skip to Content

What Size Grow Bag For Tomatoes Is Best?

Are you wondering what size grow bag for tomatoes is best for your tomatoes? Here is a quick guide to keep your tomatoes happy and healthy!

You can’t beat the taste of fresh tomatoes that you’ve grown yourself. The benefit of this fruit – not vegetable – is that they are super easy to grow in your own greenhouse.

One of the best ways to grow tomatoes is to use a grow bag. This is because you can use fresh compost each year, and you won’t have to worry about any disease or pests building up over the years.

You can also use this compost in other areas of your garden once you’ve finished using it to grow your tomatoes.

what size to grow bag for tomatoes is best

However, if you’re new to growing tomatoes in grow bags, it can be confusing knowing what size grow bags for tomatoes. How large a grow bag will your tomatoes need to get the nutrients they require to grow healthy and strong?

An Extremely Important Note!

Use organic, open-pollinated, Non-GMO seeds to ensure you have the highest and healthiest quality of vegetables from seeding to harvest.

what size grow bag for tomatoes is best

DISCLAIMER

Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks.

Related Posts:

How Big Should A Grow Bag Be For Tomatoes?

Ultimately, the larger the grow bag, the better it will be for your tomatoes. You should opt for a standard 35 to 40 liter or 10 gallon grow bag as an absolute minimum for your tomatoes.

When determining what size grow bag for tomatoes you need to factor in the room for their roots to grow.

Your tomatoes will need all of the nutrients that these larger grow bags are able to offer them. If you were to opt for an even larger capacity grow bag, this will be more beneficial for your growing plants. 

A 10 gallon bag will be ideal for a single tomato plant.

This should give it all the nutrients it needs to produce tasty fruit. These will give you the 15 inches in diameter and 12 inches or depth you need for healthy tomato growth.

Here is a grow bag option for you, not only can you choose the size but it has a transparent section allowing you to see the conditions of your soil if it needs watering.

If you want to grow more than a single tomato plant in your grow bag, then you will need to opt for a larger bag of between 20 to 30 gallons and not other containers. This should give you a depth of at least 14 inches so that the roots can fully establish themselves.

It will also be important to water your tomatoes in their grow bag so that they get the nutrition they need. It will always be best to water your tomatoes evenly and regularly so that they get the right amount of water they need.

Are Grow Bags Deep Enough For Tomatoes?

Yes, grow bags are deep enough for tomatoes to grow. If you were in any doubt as to whether your chosen grow bag gives your tomatoes sufficient growing room, we’d suggest using it with a growing ring. This can be pushed into the compost of your growing bag, and then you can plant your tomato plant in here. 

You will need to purchase additional compost to fill the ring so that you can properly plant your tomatoes. Using a growing ring can increase the amount of compost that your tomato plant can place its roots in, which will in turn increase your yield of fruit at the end of the growing season. 

To encourage as many roots to form as possible, plant your tomatoes deep. 

Water your plants frequently because grow bags induce rapid evaporation of water. Make sure the soil you use contains plenty of nutrients. To increase calcium levels and supplement fertilisers as necessary, add crushed eggshells.

You can also plant companion plants in this growing ring alongside your tomato plant, such as marigold. This can keep away pesky pests such as whitefly from your tomatoes. Companion planting can help to save your entire crop from being decimated by pesky insects.

Note– If you want to make your green fingers happier and your life easier, you can use this affordable 83 pieces ultimate gardening set to help you garden like a pro!

Do tomatoes grow better in pots or in the ground

Is A 5 Gallon Grow Bag Big Enough For Tomatoes?

Depending on the size of your tomato plant, a 5 gallon bag is unlikely to be big enough for growing tomatoes.

This is because, in order to grow a healthy plant, it will need a minimum of 10 gallons in order to fully establish its roots and get the right amount of nutrients. The larger the grow bag size you have for your tomatoes, the better.

If you have a smaller tomato plant, then you might be able to get away with a smaller 5 gallon bag. However, if you want the best from your tomato plants, we’d suggest always opting for a larger grow bag so that it can grow big and strong.

If you have a smaller grow bag in place, your tomato plant won’t be able to produce as much fruit as it would be able to if it were planted in a 10 gallon grow bag.

Bag sizes matter when it comes to growing your tomatoes. Consider this as one of the essential tips for growing tomatoes.

FAQs

Which Is The Best Grow Bags For Tomatoes?

Here are some of the best bags the tomato varieties to produce a healthy tomato crop.

1. 247Garden 5-Pack 10-Gallon Aeration Fabric Pot

This bag enables healthier, more breathable root growth! It improves the general root structure and stops roots from becoming pot bound which is when roots circle till they die.

Transplant shock is less likely when using this bag. You can put the plant with the bag into the potting soil once it has grown and is prepared for transplant. The roots will extend outside of the bag.

2. Smart Pots 20-Gallon Smart Pot Soft-Sided Container

This bag is made of soft fabric that is sturdy enough to maintain its shape.

It provides aeration, which improves root structure and produces a robust plant with more blooms and fruits and enhanced resilience to insects and diseases.


This bag also enables the evacuation of excess heat.

3. VIVOSUN 5-Pack 10 Gallon Plant Grow Bags

These pots are made of thicker non-woven fabric, which is both BPA-free and somewhat permeable.


It provides excellent drainage because the pots are made of nonwoven fabric, they do not absorb too much water, letting your plant roots breathe and grow healthier and more vigorously, especially during the hot summer months.


The handles are sewn onto the pot using serger stitches so they can support a full bag of garden soil and you can easily transport bags filled with dirt and plants thanks to the sturdy material and heavy-duty handles.


The bags help in stopping the root system from spiraling.

These bags can be reused when combined with air pruning and trimming.

4. Gardzen 20-Pack 10 Gallon Grow Bags

Made of long-lasting non-woven fabric, the fabric is devoid of AZO and BPA.

These grow bags have great air permeability and aeration, can provide roots room to breathe, effectively prevent root whirling, and support a healthy root ball.


Thanks to the superior drainage and airflow provided by the woven design, your plants will develop more quickly and with more vigor.

Benefits Of Grow Bags

1. Tomatoes Grown In Grow Bags Will Have A Stronger Root System

A root stops developing as it comes into contact with dry soil and more air at the side of the grow bag.

This promotes the growth of new roots, resulting in a robust root system with numerous root growth that can easily absorb water and nutrients.

Until a tomato plant is grown in a typical pot or container, the root begins to circle the pot when it hits the side, which finally strangles the plant.

2. Prevent Drainage Issues

Since proper drainage is difficult to obtain in standard planters, tomatoes need frequent watering, which might lead to drainage issues if you grow tomatoes in standard containers.

On the other hand, the extra water that you use to cultivate either indeterminate tomatoes or determinate tomatoes in a grow bag will seep into the cloth and rapidly evaporate.

3. Prevent Heat Damages

Tomato plants in a container might become roasted on a hot summer day because of the excessive heat. The porous fabric bags used to grow tomatoes allows heat to escape, keeping the roots and soil cold and oxygenated throughout the growing season.

4. Portability Of A Grow Bag

 To produce flavorful, tasty tomatoes, tomato plants require at least eight hours of sunlight exposure each day. To get the necessary sun, tomato plants occasionally need to be moved.

Growing tomato plants in grow bags rather than containers make moving them easier. The bag is also perfect for anyone with limited garden space.

A grow bag has two handles and can be pulled along by tugging one of the handles.

5. Takes Up Little To No Storage Space

As soon as the growing season is over, grow bags are simple to store. They are small and take up relatively little storage space, perfect if you have limited outdoor space.

Factors To Consider When Buying A Grow Bag

  • The tomato variety
  • Quality of soil
  • Location of plantation
  • Weather

Here are some factors to consider when buying a grow bag:

1. The Tomato Variety

When you are planning to plant indeterminate tomato plants or determinate tomato plants, the type of tomato you choose to plant will impact the size of grow bags you buy.

For example, if you are going for one of the popular determinate tomato varieties, the roma tomato, you could use a smaller grow bag.

However, if you are to go for one of the indeterminate tomato varieties such as the beefsteak tomato, you are going to need a larger bag. A large, highly fruitful tomato tree can be produced by transplanting an indeterminate tomato variety into a slightly larger fabric aeration bag.

Indeterminate varieties and their enormous sizes are better with a more established root system.

2. Quality Of Soil

If possible, potting soil should be used for growing tomatoes in grow bags.

However, if you choose to use your garden soil, a larger grow bag will hold more soil, ensuring that your plants receive as many nutrients possible.

3. Location Of Plantation

Tomatoes grown in an outdoor plantation and indoors require varied plant care and watering requirements, and the size of the bag should change accordingly.

4. Weather

Take into account the weather events for the various seasons, such as high heat in the summer to prevent baking the other plants roots in tiny grow bags or the accumulation of excess water and root rot during the rainy season.

Do Tomatoes Grow Better In Pots Or In The Ground?

There are benefits and negatives to planting tomatoes in both grow bags, pots, and in the ground.

If you’re new to growing tomatoes, you may be wondering why people will opt for container planting instead of planting tomatoes directly into the soil of your backyard.

It’s true that there are advantages to planting directly into the ground. Your tomatoes will need less maintenance, as they will get pretty much all the nutrition they need from the earth.

These plants are also less likely to get any diseases that could harm the plant, and will likely produce an even better harvest. 

However, you will need to maintain the ground they are grown in if you continue to grow your tomatoes in the same spot.

This will include replenishing the soil so that it can gain back those nutrients that your tomatoes will have used over the years.

Not everyone has a patch of earth ready to plant tomatoes in. This is a fruit that’s often grown in greenhouses, too, so that they can get the right growing conditions.

This is where containers and grow bags will come in handy, as you can easily place these into a greenhouse with a concrete base. It does not matter if you use small grow bags or a bigger grow bag.

You can also use new compost each year, so your plants growing will get the nutrients they need.

However, tomato plants that live in pots and grow bags will need to be watered more frequently. You will also need to get the balance of moisture just right to prevent the compost from drying out, which can cause stress for your plant or even encourage disease.

Tomato plants really love soil rich in nitrogen, adding in an All-Natural Fertilizer during potting or watering will ensure big juicy ripened tomatoes for you to enjoy!

Is A 5 Gallon Grow Bag Good For Tomatoes?

Although it is technically possible to grow tomatoes in a 5 gallon bag, you should not.

The roots of tomato plants will be restricted by a small grow bag, which will result in poor absorption of nutrients intake and water, which will reduce tomato yield and flavor.

A smaller grow bag will also be readily blown over by a strong gust of wind.

The last thing you would want is to see your cherry tomatoes on the ground after being swept away by the stormy weather.

In Summary

So there you have it! The best size grow bag for tomato plants will be as large a grow bag as you can find. If you’re growing a single tomato plant, then a 10 gallon grow bag will be ideal. For more than one plant, you should opt for a 20 to 30 gallon grow bag.

Well, there you have it, all the answers to your question, What Size Grow Bag For Tomatoes? Hopefully that helped but if you want more info, we found you a video below!

Related Posts