A “5-gallon pot” is a common container size used in gardening, home brewing, and utility storage, representing a standard volumetric measure. Although the term refers to a specific capacity, users often need to know the physical dimensions for purposes like shelving, fitting the container into a grow tent, or transplanting a plant. The actual height and diameter of a 5-gallon container are not uniform, varying significantly based on the intended use and the material of construction. Understanding these dimensional differences is key to successful planning and purchasing.
Standard Physical Dimensions
The physical size of a 5-gallon pot depends on whether it is a tapered nursery pot or a straight-sided utility bucket. A standard round, plastic utility bucket, commonly used for storage, features nearly straight sides to maximize volume. These buckets generally measure between 14 to 15 inches in height and have a top diameter ranging from 12 to 13 inches.
Nursery pots are designed for stacking, which necessitates a significant taper. This taper results in a much smaller base diameter compared to the top opening. A typical 5-gallon nursery pot, often referred to as a “trade” size, usually has a height of 10 to 12 inches, with the top diameter falling into a range of 11 to 12 inches.
Understanding Volume and Capacity
The volume of five US liquid gallons is a fixed measurement, equating to approximately 18.9 liters or 0.67 cubic feet of space. For a standard utility bucket, the internal capacity closely matches this stated volume. However, the term “5-gallon” functions as a nominal size in the horticultural industry. A “5-gallon” nursery or trade pot rarely holds a true five gallons; the actual capacity is often closer to 3.5 to 4.5 US liquid gallons. This difference exists because the nursery industry uses “trade gallons,” which is a historical, non-precise volumetric measure.
Material Variations and Their Impact on Size
The material choice fundamentally alters the container’s functional shape and dimensions, even for the same nominal volume. Traditional plastic nursery pots are molded with a wide taper to allow for efficient nesting and stacking for transport and storage. In contrast, plastic utility buckets and metal pails are manufactured with straighter sides to maximize usable internal volume and simplify the mixing of contents. Fabric grow bags represent another variation, as they are not rigid and are typically shorter and wider than plastic pots. The flexible material encourages a more squat shape when filled, which allows for better air pruning of roots and more uniform soil drying.