Pot size/ root space question- better to have the pot taller or wider?

I was wondering what would be better to have a pot that is taller or to have one that is wider? do the roots grow straight down because of gravity or do they grow sideways as well?
should i use a small paint bucket (2 quarts) or a big gulp cup (black painted) which is taller and will have root space downward.
?????
thanks JD.

the one on the right is less top heavy

Generally it doesnt matter the roots will grow all ways possible.

But as sugested you are better with a wider rather than taller its less likely to flop the whole thing.

I really don't know the answer to this question, however I do have an opinion. Taller and thinner pots would have a tendancy to fall over, accidents do happen. Shorter and wider pots, while less likely to fall over, would have to be watered more often due to soil surface evaporation.

Then again, transplanting from tall thin pots will be easier than from short, wide ones.

they are all going to be packed up together so falling is highly unlikely, but the space i have is small so if they are taller pots then i ca grow more, i have a 64 ounce big gulp cup and am thinking about growing a autoflowiring lowryder 2 in there it grows to about 1.5 feet so i didnt know what i shud do, do u fellas think that that would be possible? 64 ounces is 2 quarts, on the other hand i have two small painters buckets which is prob double- i cant make the decision but the seeds are germinating now