Root Tube Container Size Calculator

Choose a pot size and crop type to estimate soil volume, Root Tube planting capacity (inside + around the tube), watering guidance with ~90% less water, long root-bound timelines (years), and boosted yields.

Inputs

Container diameter (inches)

Container depth

Custom depth (inches) optional

Used only if “Custom depth” is selected.

Extra soil to buy (percent)

Helps cover settling, spill, and topping off.

Crop type (affects plant totals)

Planting method

Transplants Seeds

Root Tube can hold up to 3 transplants inside (16–18"). Seeds can start denser (up to 20 inside).

Typical in-ground yield per plant optional

Example: tomatoes might be ~10–20 lb/plant. Use your best guess.

Yield unit label

Used only for the yield estimate output.

The Gardening Network: Where Gardeners of All Ages Learn, Share, and Grow Together

Click to explore guides, stories, planting calendars, and more helpful garden calculators.

Root Tubes enable a “stack-and-grow” feature that creates elevated growing stations and helps gardens grow more with less water.

Root Tubes are designed for soil-filled containers sized 16" through 24". This calculator still allows 6"–30" for comparison.

Results

Soil needed

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Root Tube fit

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Plant capacity

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Water guidance (≈90% less)

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Fertilizer estimate

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Time until root-bound

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Yield boost

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Estimated Root Tube yield

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Choose your container size and crop type, then click Calculate.

Note: Outputs are practical planning estimates (not a guarantee). Sun, variety, season length, and care matter.

The Gardening Network: Calculate Conventional Container Size Without Root Tubes

Use the standard container calculator to estimate soil volume, fertilizer and water needs, plant count, root-bound timing, and realistic yields for container gardening.