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WHITE PAPER STUDY
Plants in Smart Pots Reach Market Size 3 Months Faster (UF/IFAS Study)
Smart Pot White Paper Study - Viburnum suspensum Growth in a Nursery Using Plastic and Fabric Containers
Download the comprehensive white paper by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension, Department of Environmental Horticulture, Gainesville, FL to learn more about Smart Pot Technology.
A study from the University of Florida IFAS Extension confirmed what growers across the world have observed for decades — plants grown in Smart Pots don’t just grow, they thrive.
In side-by-side trials with Viburnum suspensum (popular evergreen shrub) started in Smart Pot fabric containers reached marketable size three months earlier than those grown in standard plastic pots.
That’s a major time savings for commercial growers, allowing more crop rotations, quicker space turnover, and improved profit margins. Beyond speed, the study documented several standout advantages
- Superior root development: Smart Pot plants formed dense, fibrous root systems with minimal circling, ensuring smoother transplants and faster establishment
- Cooler root zones: The breathable fabric kept soil temperatures lower and more stable, reducing plant stress during the heat of Florida’s growing season
- More efficient growth: Smart Pots encouraged more active root tips, leading to greater nutrient uptake and stronger shoots
- Cleaner, consistent results: Plants grown in Smart Pots were not only larger sooner, but also more uniform in size and quality
For growers, that means fewer losses, faster turns, and higher-quality stock
For gardeners, it means quicker growth, easier transplanting, and healthier plants from the start
Smart Pots accelerate plant growth naturally — no chemicals, no gimmicks — just better airflow, root pruning, and moisture control designed into every container
Study at a Glance
Crop: Viburnum suspensum (multi-branched liners, two cuttings per liner)
Location: Hibernia Nursery, Webster, Florida
Lead Researchers: Dr. Tom Yeager (UF/IFAS) and Ted Gardner (Hibernia Nursery)
Containers (initial): 3-gallon Smart Pot fabric vs. 3-gallon conventional plastic
Step-up phase: All plants transplanted to 7-gallon plastic containers on December 28, 2021
Duration: June 2021 – May 2022
Key Finding: Plants started in Smart Pots reached 7-gallon marketable size three months earlier than those started in plastic (2 months vs. 5 months)
Economic takeaway: About $1.00 per plant in production savings and faster bench turnover
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Researchers planted Viburnum suspensum liners on June 9, 2021 into either 3-gallon Smart Pots or 3-gallon plastic containers using identical pine-bark-based media. Standard nursery practices were followed, with overhead irrigation.
Because Smart Pots allow more airflow and evaporation through the fabric, the Smart Pot block received about 1.8× more irrigation using larger-orifice nozzles to maintain equal substrate moisture.
Plant growth was measured throughout the season (height plus two perpendicular widths). By December 2021, Smart Pot plants had already reached Hibernia Nursery’s market specs for a #3-gallon plant — 46–51 cm high and 41–46 cm wide — while those in plastic had not yet met size requirements.
All plants were then shifted to 7-gallon plastic containers on December 28, 2021 and monitored until May 12, 2022.
Results and Observations
3-Gallon Growth Phase
- Smart Pot plants grew faster and fuller throughout the first six months
- By December, Smart Pot plants met the nursery’s market specs while plastic-grown plants lagged behind
- Root evaluations showed circling roots in plastic containers, while Smart Pot roots were air-pruned and fibrous with abundant lateral branching
After Transplant to 7-Gallon
- Smart Pot plants quickly reestablished and reached the 7-gallon market specs in only two months
- Plastic-grown plants required five months to reach the same benchmarks
- Root inspections again showed clear structural differences — Smart Pot-grown plants developed a denser, healthier root mass, ideal for transplant success
Economic and Operational Impact
By reaching marketable size three months earlier, Smart Pot plants provided clear production benefits:
$1.00 per-plant savings (based on time and overhead costs)
Increased space efficiency — earlier finish allows faster rotation into the next crop
Higher quality consistency across the finished lot
These combined advantages make Smart Pot an effective way to improve growth cycles, maintain plant quality, and reduce costs in nursery operations.
Environmental Benefits
While Smart Pots required slightly more water during production, the overall environmental footprint improved
Reduced nutrient leaching: Studies show Smart Pots reduce nitrogen and phosphorus runoff, even with increased irrigation
Cooler root zones: Smart Pots release heat and prevent root-zone temperatures from climbing as high as in black plastic pots
Long-lasting performance: Each Smart Pot can be reused across multiple crop cycles, reducing single-use plastic waste
Table 1.
Mean heights and widths (cm ±standard error) for Viburnum suspensum planted 9 June 2021 and grown at Hibernia Nursery in conventional plastic (CP) or Smart Pots® (SP) each ≈3-gallons (n=25).
Numbers highlighted in bold indicate heights and withs of marketable size according to specifications for Hibernia Nursery. Specifications for a #3-gallon are 46-51 cm high and 41-46 cm wide.
Table 2.
Mean heights and widths (cm ±standard error) for Viburnum suspensum grown at Hibernia Nursery and transplanted to 7-gallon plastic containers (28 Dec. 2021) from conventional plastic (CP) or Smart Pots® (SP) each ≈3-gallons (n=25).
Numbers highlighted in bold indicate heights and withs of marketable size according to specifications for Hibernia Nursery. Specifications for a #7-gallon are 66-71 cm high and 61-66 cm wide.
Smart Pot White Paper Study - Viburnum suspensum Growth in a Nursery Using Plastic and Fabric Containers
Download the comprehensive white paper by University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension, Department of Environmental Horticulture, Gainesville, FL to learn more about Smart Pot Technology.
FAQ
Yes — Smart Pots require slightly more irrigation due to airflow through the fabric, but they finish crops faster and with better root quality, offsetting the cost.
Absolutely. Smart Pots naturally air-prune root tips, encouraging branching and eliminating circling, which results in better transplants.
According to this study, earlier marketability offset the higher container cost, saving about $1 per plant at the 7-gallon stage — plus the value of freeing up space months sooner.
Ready to grow smarter?
See how Smart Pot can shorten your production time, improve plant quality, and boost profit margins.
Contact info@smartpots.com or call 1-800-521-8089 for wholesale pricing and product trials.
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Smart Pot Fabric Planter
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Grow stronger plants with the fabric container that changed the way roots grow. Smart Pot is the original root-pruning planter, proudly made in the USA from perfo...
3 Gallon / Black / Without Handles
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Smart Pot®is the original, award-winning fabric aeration container for healthier, faster-producing plants. Anything else is just a pot.