Growing Watermelons in Containers and Pots

Don’t let limited space keep you from enjoying delicious home-grown watermelons! No matter the size of your garden, we’ll show you how to produce a bountiful watermelon crop in containers all season long.

The Best Container Size for Watermelons

The first thing to consider when growing watermelons in a container is what kind of pot you’re going to use.

Watermelons have a fairly large root system, so it’s important they have ample room to grow. When in doubt, five-gallon buckets (or a container of similar size) are a great option for watermelons. But if you’re looking to get technical, a good rule of thumb is to aim for a container that is roughly 1,155 cubic inches (18,927 cubic centimetres) in size.

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The Best Type of Container for Watermelons

Plastic pots, terracotta, and fabric grow bags all make fine containers for watermelons. When choosing a pot to plant watermelons in, the type of material it’s made out of doesn’t really matter. What does matter, however, is how well that material releases excess water.

Poor drainage is the number one killer of watermelons grown in pots. If your watermelons sit in standing water for too long, their roots will rot and the plants will likely wither away.

If you’re using a plastic container for growing watermelons, it’s crucial there are 2 - 4 holes in the bottom to allow excess water to drain.

Terracotta pots, along with fabric grow bags, are a great container option for watermelons because they are naturally porous. Most terracotta pots also come with a hole in the bottom for additional drainage.

If growing your watermelons in grow bags, be sure to test how well they drain before planting. If water doesn’t leak through the bag quickly, you may want to add one or two holes to the bottom to keep the roots of your watermelon plant healthy and happy.

The Best Soil for Growing Watermelons in Containers

Drainage also plays a key part in the type of soil you choose for watermelon containers.

Traditional soil, such as the type of dirt you can dig up in your backyard, is much too dense for watermelons planted in pots. It will trap moisture in the container to the point where it can cause fungal issues for watermelons as well as root rot.

Instead, opt for potting soil or soil specifically designated as safe for container gardening. Avoid all others.

Final Tips for Growing Watermelons in Pots

Hopefully by now you’ve seen that growing watermelons in pots is pretty easy so long as you have the right container and right soil.

The key, as stated before, is drainage. You will likely notice that watermelons grown in containers are much thirstier than watermelons grown in a traditional garden bed. Be sure to adjust your schedule to water more frequently.

Of course, the same rules apply to container grown watermelons that apply to watermelons grown in a traditional garden, such as the amount of sunlight they need and when to plant them. You can find that information (and more!) in our complete guide on growing watermelons.

Happy planting!