9 Best Containers to Use for Seed-Starting

Are you preparing for your ultimate garden this year? It all starts with picking the right containers for the job. In this article, horticulture expert Matt Dursum shows you the best containers to use for seed-starting.

Various best seed-starting containers, including peat cell trays, peat pots, egg cartons, and compressed soil blocks, sit on a wooden table with young seedlings growing in them.

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Winter and late spring are fantastic times to get your seeds going for spring and summer planting. Even in cold regions, all you need is enough light, good seeds, and enough growing trays, pots, or grow bags

No matter what level of gardener you are, choosing the best container for your seeds can be daunting. Some plants are picky, and sowing them in the wrong container can affect their growth. 

There is a huge variety of containers that will work for sowing your seeds. You can purchase special designs made for a variety of seeds or create your own seed-starting setups. Choose between materials like plastic, clay, or biodegradable materials you can plant directly in the soil. 

By knowing the ins and outs of your seeds and their needs, you’ll have no problem picking the right vessel to grow them in. From drainage holes to size and material, following these specifications will make germination a breeze.

Below are the nine best containers to use for seed-starting so you can create your dream garden this year. 

Cell Trays

Close-up of several black plastic cell trays filled with soil containing sprouted seeds.
With drainage holes, trays promote healthy root growth.

Cell trays are some of the best containers to use for seed-starting because of their durability and ease of use. Each tray is divided into cells, which help you organize your seeds. As they grow into seedlings, the barriers create an organized root system to make transplanting easy.

Another benefit to cell trays is that they have enough drainage holes to circulate the air, drain water, and let the roots grow freely. They fit directly over bottom trays that collect water so you can water from below without disturbing the delicate seedlings above the soil. 

Seed starting trays like this one are made from durable materials that will last several years. Try to find high-quality containers that won’t break after their first use. Some trays come with 4, 6, 12, and over 20 cells. Below are the common seeds that work for each tray size.

4-Cell Trays

Trays with four or fewer cells typically have a larger volume in their cells. They’re made for larger plants with more complex root systems, such as: 

  • Peppers
  • Tomatoes
  • Zucchini
  • Beans

6, 12, and 16-Cell Trays

Trays with six or more cells typically hold less volume than their 4-cell counterparts. These trays are perfect for medium-sized plants such as: 

  • Broccoli
  • Fennel
  • Spinach
  • Kale
  • Cabbage

Biodegradable Peat Pots

Close-up of sage seedlings with thin stems and oval, serrated leaves covered in tiny white hairs, growing in peat pots.
Eco-friendly containers break down naturally, supporting healthy growth.

Biodegradable peat pots come in a variety of sizes and styles. To make them, manufacturers compress peat moss and dehydrate it into the shape of a pot. You can find them in nurseries and online. 

You can plant peat pots directly into the ground. The peat is biodegradable, so it will break down in the soil. These pots don’t contain harmful chemicals, which make them entirely safe to use for your vegetables, herbs, and fruits. 

These pots are especially useful for delicate plants that experience transplant shock. This is when seedlings and plants experience stunted growth after being transplanted from their containers to outside beds. Peat pots go directly into the ground, giving your seedlings more time to adjust to their new environment

Biodegradable Paper Pots

A top view of a large box filled with young seedlings growing in pots made from newspaper sheets.
Homemade options offer a sustainable way to transplant seedlings.

Other great biodegradable options are paper pots. You can find them in some nurseries, but you can easily make them on your own

Biodegradable pots made from recycled paper are the most common. Like peat moss pots, you can plant them directly in the soil to protect fragile plants. Find recycled paper pots like these that are made from 100% food-grade paper. They are food-safe, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective. 

You can also make paper seed trays at home. Take a newspaper, food-grade kitchen paper, or your favorite origami paper and fold it into your desired shape. The paper will decompose when you plant it in the soil. Cut enough drainage holes in the bottom and make sure they have enough layers of paper to hold their form. 

Recycled Food Containers

Close-up of a carton egg box with soil-filled cells, each sprouting tiny seedlings.
Egg cartons are perfect for seedling growth.

Other easy, do-it-yourself containers include recycled food containers. These include plastic cartons, trays, milk cartons, and egg cartons. The options are truly endless. They will not work for germinating your seeds but save you money

Find a container that is large enough for your seeds. If you’re growing medium-sized seedlings such as broccoli and kale, try using egg cartons. For larger seedlings such as peppers and tomatoes, use a deeper container such as a paper milk carton. 

Whatever you use, make sure to cut enough drainage holes in the bottom. These containers will work well for your seedlings. Just remember to disinfect them before sowing your seeds. Below are common materials you can turn into containers to use for seed-starting. 

  • Egg cartons
  • Paper milk cartons
  • Yogurt containers
  • Soda bottles
  • Milk jugs
  • Takeout containers

Cardboard Tubes

Close up of tomato and lettuce seedlings in biodegradable cardboard toilet roll inner tubes on wooden surface.
Recycled cardboard tubes help seedlings grow strong roots.

You can get cardboard tubes from household items such as toilet paper and paper towels. You can fold the bottoms, fill them with soil, and sow your seeds. 

Cardboard tubes work like biodegradable peat moss pots or paper pots. They let your seedlings develop a healthy root ball before transplanting directly into the soil.

They will keep their shape even after you water them. These do-it-yourself seed containers are great for medium-sized seedlings that don’t handle transplanting well

Egg Shells

Close-up of young green seedlings growing in homemade biodegradable eggshell containers filled with soil.
Use recycled shells for growing herbs and small annuals.

Egg shells are the epitome of biodegradable! They form the perfect little containers for your seeds. Once they’re mature, you can plant them straight into the ground, where they’ll slowly decompose

Simply save the bottom half of your shells and make sure there’s enough room to fill them with soil. Clean them well and use a toothpick or sharp needle to poke drainage holes in the bottom. Make the holes wide to let out enough water to drain the soil. Then, remove the bottoms gently before planting in the garden.

These cost-effective and organic containers have little volume. They will work with tiny herbs, greens such as arugula, and some annual flowers. 

Make Your Own Soil Blocks

Close-up of tiny celery seedlings growing in compressed soil blocks, with a wooden label indicating the type of seed.
Grow seedlings with minimal disruption to their root systems.

Soil blocking is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to sow your seeds. They work with smaller seedlings, such as herbs and annual flowers. They’re also ideal for delicate plants because you won’t have to disturb their root systems when transplanting. 

Your seeds will germinate directly in the blocks. When they grow, their root systems will form in the block and the seedling will grow just like it would in other growing media. When they’re mature, you’ll simply plant the block directly in the ground

Making soil blocks is easy. Below are the steps to making these eco-friendly seed-starting containers at home. 

  • Create a seed-blocking recipe for your seed varieties based on a seed-starting mix.
  • Remove large chunks of soil before pressing.
  • Choose between a stand soil blocker or a hand-held soil blocker.
  • You can also make your own soil blocker from sanitized cans or toilet paper tubes.
  • Mix your medium with water until you can make a ball with your hand and the medium keeps its form.
  • Press the soil on a rigid hard surface until it’s compact.
  • Apply pressure and press your blocker on the soil.
  • Wiggle it around gently to cut the entire way.
  • Release the soil blocks. They’re now ready to use.

Ceramic Pots

Close-up of small ceramic pots with young seedlings on a white wooden table, surrounded by sowing tools, peat starter trays, and paper bags of seeds.
Stylish options make perfect homes for growing herbs and flowers.

Instead of using seed trays, you can sow many of your seeds directly into ceramic pots. These containers are easy to find and last for many years

Sow larger seedlings and plants that can handle transplant shock in the pots. Make sure the pots have plenty of drainage holes to prevent waterlogged soil. 

Ceramic pots come in a huge variety of sizes and styles. Some come in tiny sizes, which are perfect for growing herbs, succulents, and delicate annual flowers. Try decorating them or painting them to create fun designs. 

Miniature Cold Frames

A variety of strawberry, tomato, beet, and parsley seedlings in ceramic pots, arranged in a wooden cold frame in the garden.
Start your seeds early with a little outdoor shelter.

If you want to get your seeds started outdoors, try sowing them in a miniate cold frame. A small PVC cold frame or other compact designs make the perfect containers for your seeds. 

Create your designs, make sure they’re well-draining with drainage holes, and fill them with soil. Move them outside to get your seeds started outdoors early. 

You can get creative with your cold frame designs. You can make most of them from recycled materials and household items. After your seedlings mature, transplant them to another container or outdoor garden bed or keep them growing in your cold frame. 

Key Takeaways

Sometimes, the best containers to use for seed-starting are already lying around your home or garden. From reusable household items to recycled organic materials, get creative this season! Your seeds will germinate in pretty much any vessel as long as they get the care and nutrients they need. 

For long-lasting options, try using cell trays made from strong materials. You’ll have these trays for multiple seasons. Or, if you have delicate plants, try using biodegradable pots that you can plant directly in the soil. 

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