Are your seedlings outgrowing the seed starting trays you initially purchased? It may be time to look into seed starting pots.
Seed starting pots are larger than trays and allow seedlings to spread roots for continued growth.
So, which seed starting pots are the best? In this post, I’ll go over the top five. Keep reading to find out more!
Our Top Picks
Best Overal:
Jeria Four-Inch Plastic Pots
Reusable Pots:
Foxany Three-Inch Plant Nursery Pots
Biodegradable Pots:
Cosweet Biodegradable Pots
Best Overall
Jeria Four-Inch Plastic Pots
My top pick overall for the best seed starting pots is Jeria’s Four-Inch Plastic Pots. This particular bundle comes with 200 pots and 200 plastic labels. So you can keep up with which vegetables you move into each pot!
The plastic pots measure four inches in diameter and 3.3 inches in height. It’s the perfect transition size following small seed starting trays.
The bottom of each pot contains eight drainage holes, so you don’t have to worry about waterlogged seedlings.
Many gardeners only use seed starting pots to get seedlings to transplant time. In that case, you may not need top-of-the-line pots.
These budget-friendly Jeria pots are sturdy enough to keep your seedlings contained. But, the plastic isn’t so tough that it’s difficult to remove seedlings for transplant.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Easy to remove seedlings for transplant
- Comes with plastic labels
Cons:
- May not be sturdy enough to reuse
Best Reusable Pots
Foxany Three-Inch Plant Nursery Pots
Foxany Three-Inch Plant Nursery Pots work well when searching for reusable seed starting pots. These pots are constructed from thick plastic designed to last many seasons.
Added holes in the bottom assist with good drainage. The pots also have individual saucers, so you don’t have to invest in a drip pan or bottom tray.
The Foxany pots also come in many fun colors, so you choose whichever bundle matches your style. Choose from light blue, dark green, yellow, or even multi-color. This is helpful if your seed starting setup is near your main living space.
Just clean these pots out between use, and you’ll be ready for next season.
Note: since the pots are thick plastic, you may need a transplanting tool to remove seedlings.
Pros:
- Sturdy and reusable
- Come in fun colors
- Comes with saucers for drainage
Cons:
- May be difficult to remove seedlings without a tool
Best Biodegradable Pots
Cosweet Biodegradable Pots
Of course, I have to include an eco-friendly, biodegradable option. These Cosweet Biodegradable Pots are made to be moved directly into the garden soil. It’s a helpful way to avoid seedling transplant shock.
This bundle comes with a variety of three-inch and 2.5-inch seed starting pots. So, you have options, no matter the kind of vegetables or flower seeds you’re starting.
They’ve also included 100 plant labels to help you keep track of your setup.
These pots are constructed from recyclable paper, so they’re non-toxic and garden-safe. As they break down, they will improve your soil texture, just like compost!
But, even if you don’t want to plant these pots, you can remove seedlings as you would with plastic pots.
It’s a budget-friendly route for organic gardeners. And as a bonus, you won’t have to worry about storing these pots for next year.
Pros:
- Helps with transplant shock
- Comes with a variety of sizes
- Eco-friendly
Cons:
- Not reusable
- Can prematurely breakdown if overwatered
MIXC Plant Nursery Pots
Are you planting fast-growing seedlings? You may prefer to skip seed starting trays altogether. In that case, these MIXC Plant Nursery Pots are a great choice.
Each four-inch pot comes with a humidity dome to aid in germination. The dome fits onto the rim of the pot and traps moisture. Once your seeds have germinated, you can remove the humidity dome to avoid mold.
Like the Jeria pots, the MIXC pots have eight holes on the bottom for drainage. The pots are also just flexible enough to aid in easy transplanting.
The best part – once your seedlings get larger, you won’t have to worry about potting up.
The only downside is that this bundle only comes with 30 pots. That’s significantly less than many other bundles that are comparatively priced. But that’s because of the included humidity domes, which may make it worthwhile.
Pros:
- Comes with humidity domes
- Easy to remove seedlings for transplant
Cons:
- May not be sturdy enough for reuse
- Bundle only comes with 30 pots
Jeria Six-Inch Plant Nursery Pots
You’ve potted up your seedlings into four-inch pots. But, now they seem to be outgrowing those pots. That’s where the Jeria Six-Inch Plant Nursery Pots come in handy.
These large seed starting pots are almost identical in style and make-up to their four-inch version. (Recall the top pick on this list.) The plastic is flexible for transplant, and eight drainage holes are present.
There are some differences, though. This bundle comes with 100 pots.
And, of course, the measurements differ. These large pots measure six inches in diameter and are 5.1 inches tall.
I suggest using these pots when you still have a few weeks before transplanting. It will allow fast-growing vegetables, like pumpkins or peas, to continue their growth. You won’t have to worry about seedlings becoming rootbound and struggling for nutrients.
Pros:
- Great for fast-growing vegetables
- Helps extend indoor seedling time
- Easy to remove seedlings for transplant
Cons:
- Plastic may not be sturdy enough for reuse
Seed Starting Pots Buyers Guide
Let’s review everything you need to know while shopping for the best seed starting pots.
Materials Used
One of the largest differences you’ll see is the materials used to make the pots.
Most seed starting pots are made from thin plastic. This helps you gently flex the pot to remove the seedling for transplant. This also creates a budget-friendly product.
You can also find hard plastic seed starting pots. These are great for repeat gardeners. Just clean them thoroughly after every season before storing them for next year.
If you’re an organic gardener, you may be on the search for biodegradable pots. These pots break down in the soil, and they help avoid transplant shock. There are many budget-friendly options out there.
Size
Most of the seed starting pots you come across are four inches wide. Why? Consider your seed starting trays.
Most seed starting tray cells measure 2.5″ across. Once your seedlings outgrow that cell, a four-inch pot is a natural transition to continue their growth.
If your seed starting trays are smaller than this, you might consider three to 3.5-inch pots as the next transition.
For fast-growing seedlings, you can also find large, six-inch pots. These are great when you need to pot up from a four-inch pot. This size also comes in handy if you enjoy propagating plants.
Additional Products You Might Need
There are some additional products that might be helpful to accompany your seed starting pots. These aren’t required, but there’s nothing wrong with trying to work smarter!
Let’s look at a few:
- Drip Saucers – These are helpful if you purchased seed starting pots that didn’t include saucers or drip pans. They are made to fit pots of multiple sizes. I recommend them if you don’t have any extra bottom trays to sit your pots in.
- Transplanting Tool – This tool is helpful if you purchased hard plastic seed starting pots that don’t flex. The tool will slide up under seedlings to extract them without damaging them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I remove seedlings from seed starting pots?
It can be nerve-wracking to remove seedlings from their pots. If you approach it the wrong way, you could destroy the plant or its root system.
Just remember: never pull the seedling up by its foliage.
I recommend tilting the pot over and gently flexing it to encourage the seedling to slide out. To reduce lost soil, wet your seed starting mix before transplanting.
If you have a hard pot that won’t flex, use a transplanting tool or widger to slide the seedling out.
When should I pot up my seedlings?
Seedlings will show tell-tale signs that they are ready to be potted up.
Here are the top signs that your seedlings have run out of room to grow:
- Seedlings have grown tall and developed ample foliage.
- Seedlings are crowding each other.
- Roots are growing out of the drainage holes, indicating they have no more room to spread.
- Leaves are wilting or turning yellow from lack of nutrients.
For more information, read our blog post on Potting Up Seedlings.
Wrapping Up the Best Seed Starting Pots
Seed starting pots are a helpful way to let your seedlings continue healthy growth indoors. My top pick for the best seed starting pots is the Jeria Four-Inch Plastic Pots. Their flexibility is great for transplanting, and they have a budget-friendly price tag.
Are you interested in learning more about seed starting? Visit the Seed Starting page on our website for growing guides and helpful lists of the best products to use.