Which Type of Seed Starting Container Is Best for Your Plants? Expert Reveals How to Choose the Right One for Stronger Seedlings

Late winter is the time many of us start thinking about starting seeds indoors. Whether you are planting vegetable seeds to get a head start on your edible garden or starting flowers for your beds, nothing is more fun than watching seeds germinate and grow.

Starting seeds indoors is a tried-and-true method of getting a jump on your crops or ornamentals. While seeds and soil are important, so are the seed starting containers that will house your young plants until they are ready for the outdoors.

There are so many choices available, from basic to high-end to DIY seed starter pots. So it can be difficult to know which type is right for the plants you want to grow, as well as your budget, and seed starting setup. I'm here to help you weigh the pros and cons of some common types of seed starting containers and share my favorites for growing stronger seedlings.

1. Basic Seed Starter Trays

If you just want some basic seed starting containers, there are plenty of options available online and at gardening centers. Durable, reusable, and inexpensive seed starter trays, like these ones from Amazon, are the best choice for gardeners who don't need any extra frills.

This basic seed starter tray kit has space to start 144 seeds. It includes 24 trays with 6 cells per tray, each one 1.5-inch (3.5 cm) square and 2.25 inches (6 cm) deep. This provides plenty of room for healthy root development, no matter what seeds you are planting.

You don’t have to worry about drainage with these containers. Every tray has generous drainage slips that will eliminate the threat of overwatering seedlings. Plus, this kit comes with five plant stakes to keep things organized. The whole package is under $8.

On the downside, the trays are plastic and won’t biodegrade when you are done with them. They may not even be recyclable, but you can reuse them year after year.

2. Plantable Pots

If you prefer little, individual pots for your seeds, who can blame you? They are cute and give seeds room for their roots to grow strong and vital. Plantable seed starting containers, like this 24-pack of peat-free pots from Back to the Roots, are a fantastic option for the eco-conscious gardener. Each pot has a top diameter of 2.4 inches (6 cm) and a height of 3 inches (7.6 cm) and is made from USDA-certified organic material.

Not only are these biodegradable pots a sustainable seed starting choice for gardeners who care about their environmental impact, but they’re so easy to use. All you do is plant them directly in the garden when it’s time to transplant seedlings outdoors. This lets roots remain undisturbed and helps reduce transplant shock, giving your plants a strong start.

What about drainage? The pots have excellent drainage because they are made of breathable biobased materials, yet they also retain sufficient moisture to keep your seedlings happy and healthy.

3. Containers With Coco Coir Pellets

Make germinating seeds easy with a seed starting tray that comes with coco coir pellets that are ready for planting, like this complete Burpee Seed Starting Greenhouse Kit. It includes space for 72 seedlings in two 36-cell planting trays, plus a water reservoir tray, 72 coir pellets for spectacular growth, and a dome greenhouse cover. Yes, there are many moving parts, but it’s actually a a simple and efficient way to start seeds indoors!

How does it work? You place one coco coir pellet in each cell, add warm water, then sow your favorite seeds. You can (and perhaps should) use a heat mat, like this bestseller from Amazon, to speed up germination. Stay organized with the two Plant-O-Gram diagrams that come with the kit to help you remember which seeds are sown in which cells.

What's unique about this seed starting kit is the coco coir pellets that expand and fill the trays in just minutes. Instead of having to buy or make your own seed starting mix, this kit simplifies the process. Just wet and plant!

4. Pots With Humidity Domes

You know humidity is good for sprouting seeds, but who wants to turn their bathroom into a seed starting station? Instead, hold in the perfect amount of humidity to help seeds sprout in nursery pots that come with humidity domes, like these ones from Amazon.

This set is affordable at just around $12 and includes a setup for 30 plants. Each seed will get its own 4-inch (10 cm) plastic gardening pot with a transparent humidity dome with holes for ventilation.

The individual pots come with plenty of drainage holes to prevent overwatering. But the fact that each container has eight small drain holes at the bottom seems a little excessive. On the positive side, these containers are washable and reusable, so you can put them to work every winter and spring for all your seed starting needs.

5. Reusable Silicone Cell Trays

Seed starter trays with soft silicone cells, like these ones from Amazon, make it easy to get seedlings out when it’s time to transplant. Plus, they're reusable so you can use them for years of seed starting in your garden.

For just under $18, you’ll get four trays with 12 silicone cells each to cradle young seedlings. You’ll also get a transparent bottom and top for each tray. The bottom catches excess water and the top acts to hold in humidity while allowing you to view the growing plants.

Some of the other helpful tools included with these trays are a spray bottle, a pair of gloves, and several mini planting tools. The silicone cells are the main draw here because they make transplanting seedlings so much easier.

If you're a new gardener, then the other included items can come in handy as you grow your gardening toolkit. But if you're an established gardener with a full outfit of gardening tools already, then many of the other items may be too “cute” for a serious grower like you.

6. All-Inclusive Seed Starting Kits

Looking for a high-end kit that includes not only solid seed starting containers, but everything else you need to start seeds right? Then take a look at an all-inclusive seed starter kit, like this one from Amazon. At just around $60, it's a great deal to outfit a whole seed starting operation.

This all-in-one kit comes with one large seed tray, six separate 12-cell seed starting trays, a 7-inch (17.8 cm) humidity dome, a seedling heat mat, an LED grow light with timer, and a sturdy light stand. The waterproof heat mat can go up to 104°F (40°C) quickly, offering enough warmth for the germination and growth for most, if not all, seeds. What else might you need to get your seeds started for spring planting?

The highlight of this kit, for me, is the large growing space. The humidity cover is really high compared to most seed starting containers, allowing the seedlings ample space to grow. And the entire tray is made of durable materials that should last for years.

If you are looking to upgrade your seed starting setup, this kit not only provides you with great containers, but everything else you need to grow strong seedlings.