Plant Size Guide

Nursery Container Sizes

Use this guide to compare our most common nursery container sizes and choose the right plant for your project.

Container Size Approximate Capacity Common Plant Types Best For Common Household Comparison
#1 0.7–1.1 gallons Perennials, grasses and young shrubs Small spaces, borders and mass plantings About one gallon milk jug
#2 1.4–2.1 gallons Established perennials and smaller shrubs Foundation beds and landscape groupings About two gallon milk jugs
#3 2.7–3.2 gallons Shrubs, evergreens and ornamental grasses Immediate landscape impact About three gallon milk jugs
#5 3.4–5.4 gallons Larger shrubs, evergreens and young trees Established-looking foundation plantings About one standard 5-gallon bucket
#7 5.8–7.7 gallons Specimen shrubs and larger evergreens Privacy plantings and focal points About one bucket plus two gallon milk jugs
#10 9–11.5 gallons Trees, mature shrubs and large evergreens Larger installations and instant structure About two standard 5-gallon buckets
#15 12–16 gallons Landscape trees, specimens and mature evergreens Maximum immediate landscape impact About three standard 5-gallon buckets
#20 17–22 gallons Large landscape trees, specimen shrubs and mature evergreens Large installations and substantial immediate impact About four standard 5-gallon buckets

Please note: Nursery container numbers are industry trade sizes and do not always equal exact liquid-gallon measurements. Container shape, dimensions and plant size may vary. Household comparisons are general visual references.