How Living Soil Works in Different Pot Sizes — What You Need to Know

At Living Soil MDV Inc., we talk a lot about the power of soil biology — but how that biology performs often depends on something many gardeners overlook: pot size.

Whether you’re growing a single heirloom tomato on a balcony or managing a full canopy in a no-till setup, understanding how living soil works across different container sizes can make all the difference in plant health, nutrient cycling, and your overall success.

Let’s break it down.

Why Pot Size Matters with Living Soil

Living soil is more than just a medium — it's a living ecosystem. It’s packed with beneficial microbes, fungi, nematodes, protozoa, and earthworm castings that work together to feed your plant naturally through nutrient cycling.

When using living soil, the volume of soil matters because it directly impacts the ability of the soil food web to stay active, balanced, and self-sustaining.

Small Pots (1–5 Gallons): Fast Results, Higher Maintenance

1 gallon pot sizes

Best For: Short-term crops, vegging cycles, or quick turnover.

In small containers, your soil life has less room to thrive, and it’s easy for the micro-ecosystem to become unbalanced. Nutrient cycling may be limited, and watering needs are frequent because small pots dry out quickly.

Pros:

• Space-saving

• Good for quick-growing crops

• Easier to move around

Cons:

• Limited microbial activity over time

• May require top-dressing or liquid amendments

• Less buffer against over- or under-watering

Pro Tip: Use our Living Coco or Light Formula in small pots for more control over nutrients and easier hydration management.

Medium Pots (7–15 Gallons): The Sweet Spot

10 Gallons fabric pot

Best For: Home growers, indoor tents, or patio setups.

These sizes offer a balance between plant size and soil volume. Microbial life has enough space to develop, and the soil can maintain a more stable moisture and nutrient environment. Many growers find 10–15 gallon pots perfect for growing full-cycle plants with minimal inputs.

Pros:

• Good balance of soil biology and plant demand

• Supports full veg-to-flower cycles

• Better moisture retention

Cons:

• Can get heavy when saturated

• Less mobile once filled

Pro Tip: These are ideal for our all-in-one Living Soil MDV Water only — just water and watch your plants thrive.

Large Pots (20+ Gallons) & Raised Beds: Living Soil Paradise

50 gallons fabric pot sizes

Best For: No-till setups, long-term perennials, regenerative gardening.

Larger containers and raised beds allow your soil food web to fully establish. Mycorrhizal networks stretch out. Worms breed and feed. The system begins to mimic a natural forest floor — a self-regulating, highly efficient nutrient factory.

Pros:

• Maximum microbial diversity and resilience

• Long-term nutrient cycling

• Rarely needs added inputs beyond compost or mulch

Cons:

• Requires more initial soil

• Not portable

• More upfront cost

Pro Tip: For the best results, inoculate with fresh worm castings and mulch regularly. Consider our Living Soil Plant Food Super Bloom Formula during heavy fruiting phases to supercharge production.

Bonus Tips for All Pot Sizes

• Mulch is your friend. Helps retain moisture and feed microbes.

• Avoid synthetic inputs. They can disrupt microbial life.

• Top-dress as needed. Especially in smaller pots.

• Water mindfully. Living soil thrives in moist, not soggy, conditions.

• 
  

Final Thoughts

The beauty of living soil is that it's adaptive — but giving it the right environment to thrive is key. Whether you’re running 3-gallon pots in a tent or building out a full raised bed outdoors, understanding how pot size affects your soil ecosystem helps you work with nature, not against it.

Still unsure which setup is best for your space? Reach out to us at Living Soil MDV Inc. We’re happy to help you build the healthiest, most biologically rich garden possible — one pot at a time.