Fabric pots are the default container for coco and soil growers, and for good reason. When roots reach a plastic wall they turn and circle. When they reach fabric, the tips meet air and stop, and the plant grows a dense mass of fine feeder roots instead. That is air pruning. We stock our own Fabric Pots from 5L to 50L and BudTrainer Fabric Budpots from 11L to 58L.
Why fabric beats plastic
- Roots air prune at the wall instead of circling.
- Excess water drains freely, so roots get more air.
- The honest catch: fabric dries out faster, so you water more often.
Want air pruning in a rigid pot you can reuse? Try the Plastic Root Air Pruning Pots in 21L, 28L and 50L.
Which size for which plant?
| Pot size | Suits | On the shelf |
|---|---|---|
| 5L | Herbs, lettuce and young plants before they move up | Fabric Pots 5L |
| 10 to 15L | The standard single plant in a tent. Chillies, capsicum, compact plants | Fabric Pots 10L and 15L, Budpots 11L |
| 19 to 30L | Large plants such as tomatoes. More buffer, longer between waterings | Fabric Pots 20L, 25L and 30L, Budpots 19L and 27L |
| 38L and up | Long-season plants and living soil, which needs volume | Fabric Pots 40L and 50L, Budpots 38L and 58L |
Fill them with coco coir, stand them in drain away trays, and check your run-off with a pH and EC meter. New to it? Start here.
Fabric pot questions
What size fabric pot should I use?
For most plants in a tent, 11 to 15L is the sweet spot. Go 20 to 30L for big plants like tomatoes, and 40L or more for living soil. Smaller pots need watering more often.
Do fabric pots dry out faster?
Yes. The walls breathe, so water leaves through the sides as well as the base. That is good for roots, but it means more frequent watering, especially in coco or in hot weather.
Are fabric pots better than plastic pots?
For root health, usually yes. Fabric air prunes the roots and drains freely. Plastic holds water longer, which can suit growers who cannot water often. Air pruning plastic pots sit in between.
What tray do I put a fabric pot on?
A tray that catches the run-off. Our Drain Away Trays come in a 15 inch (400mm) size for 10 to 30L pots and a 22 inch (550mm) size for 50 to 90L pots.
