What is a plant grow bag?

Grow bags are lightweight fabric-like bags, usually made out of polypropylene, designed to hold growing media like potting soil or Pro-mix and plants. Grow bags come in a variety of sizes and offer superior drainage and excellent aeration for the plants growing in them. This aeration offers another benefit, root pruning. Unlike plastic pots, fabric pots encourage a more robust root system with more feeder roots formed. These are the best grow bags, as they can be easily moved because they have convenient handles. Grow bags can be used during the whole growing season, as they are a great option for housing dormant plants during the colder winter months. Check out Grow Bags Vs. Plastic Pots for more reasons why we love growing plants in grow bags.

How to use fabric grow bags? 

Grow bags can be filled with your choice of growing medium and of plants. They can be watered by hand or by drip irrigation. Some choose to use them as a liner for larger decorative pots or for adding bright colors to a patio, such as with our multi-color 7 gal. fabric pots with handles. 

• Use these grow bags in place of pots to add flowers around your garden beds to attract beneficial insects. 
• Move tender plants out of the direct sun in the summer. 
• Plant in grow bags indoors to get a jump on spring planting.
• Use to house larger transplants before moving them out to the garden.
• Bring tender perennials indoors for protection in the winter months. 

What size grow bag to use?

The size of the grow bag you need will depend on what you are planning to grow. Larger bags can be used to grow a mix of plants. Plants grown in these grow bags will have healthy plant roots and will stay appropriately sized for their container. For example, a 7-gallon bag can hold 3-4 different kinds of herbs on your porch for easy access when you want to add fresh ingredients when cooking. 

This chart gives you some good ideas as a starting point for what gardeners can plant in different-sized grow bags for the best plant health. 

Fabric Grow Bag Guide

(Grow bag sizes and approx. cubic ft of soil: approximate measurements if filled to the top.)

Are grow bags safe for vegetables?

Yes. Fabric grow bags are safe for vegetables. In fact, many vegetables thrive in grow bags.

Most plants will grow well in grow bags as long as you consider the root space that your plants will need. Above-ground vegetables, like lettuce, have shallow roots that take up space below the soil equivalent to the size of the full-grown plant. Root vegetables will require a deeper bag like our 25-gallon size that can be used to grow a larger number of carrots, beets, or potatoes. Grow bags are especially advantageous for gardeners trying to grow in areas with poor soil quality as they provide alternative space to grow a garden.

If you want to use grow bags in place of raised beds, our 100-gallon grow bags are great for large plantings of greens, lettuce, and other above-ground vegetables. For perennials and flowers, the 200-gallon bags added depth is ideal. It gives enough plant root space that they can even be used to grow small trees or multiple fruiting bushes in the summer like blueberries. These can be grown individually in the 25-gallon size but for mixed plantings use the 200-gallon size is the best grow bag. 

What are grow bags made of?

Our plant grow bags are made of food-safe felt created from BPA-free polypropylene plastic. Go ahead and grow those tomato plants in your grow bag. Your tomato plant root system will thank you!

What do you put under grow bags? 

Because grow bags allow for excellent drainage, you should place a tray or protective layer between them and the surface they are sitting on if you are worried about water damage. This is particularly important if you use grow bags indoors to avoid moisture damage to your floors or furniture. 

These grow bags can be placed on the ground or on a deck outside. Some people choose to place them up on a rack or pallet to increase drainage and prevent encroachment of weeds. 

If you wish to use a tray or saucer underneath a grow bag, we recommend using one filled with gravel or decorative rocks. Doing so will help prevent any rot or mold growth from setting the bag in stagnant water. If you are dealing with drought conditions or trying to conserve water, check out the methods used here in How to Keep Outdoor Plants Alive During a Drought.