Growing vegetables in pots is one way to have fresh, nutritious produce, even if you are limited by insufficient space or an unsuitable area. Container gardening solves problems with soil-borne diseases, pests or poor soil conditions. Most vegetables are suited for growing in pots and include tomatoes, beans, peppers, eggplant, green onions, lettuce, squash, radishes and herbs. Container choices are many. Pots made from fiberglass are one option for a productive mini-garden, but they have some disadvantages.

Fiberglass, lightweight at the expense of durability, can be brittle and may crack if dropped. Pots made from fiberglass are often more expensive than containers made from other materials. The light weight of fiberglass pots is a disadvantage when growing tall vegetables, such as tomatoes and pole beans that need to be staked, as the pots can easily topple over. Small fiberglass pots may blow over in heavy winds.

Fiberglass pots do not provide insulation from destructive heat or cold, and cannot protect plant roots from rapid changes in temperature. Most vegetables prefer a sunny location, but fiberglass pots absorb and retain heat. Unlike in clay pots that breathe, soil heats up in fiberglass pots and can damage the roots. White or light-colored pots are preferable. Consider lining the pots with a thermal break, or plastic liner, to keep the soil no warmer than the ambient air temperature to prevent heat stress on the root system.

Fiberglass pots are nonporous and retain water. If there are no drainage holes, stagnant water can collect in the bottom of the pot and rot the roots of the vegetables. Without drainage holes, there is no air circulation around the roots, but adding an inch of coarse gravel in the bottom of the container can help. Holes drilled into the bottom and around the sides of the container will allow for airflow.

Fiberglass has a tendency to turn chalky over time. Rust stains, calcium deposits, dirty hand prints and potting mix stains are hard to clean off fiberglass and decrease the visual appeal of the container. Scuffs and scratches easily become embedded in the material.