Big rewards come in small packages when growing fruit trees in containers. If you don’t have an abundance of outdoor space, you may think of fruit trees as being out of reach—something only for the orchardists and large-scale landowners. This is not true! Thanks to dwarf varieties and dwarf rootstocks, growing fruit trees in containers isn’t as hard as you might think.

Small-space gardeners can grow all kinds of varieties of fruit trees: even peaches, nectarines, cherries, citrus, and pear trees. Read on for my advice on fruit-tree variety options, fruit tree container selection, growing medium for fruit trees, year-round care, and more. Get started today and you will be able to harvest fresh container-grown fruit from your patio or balcony within a few years.

Why grow fruit trees in containers

The most obvious reason for growing fruit trees in containers is that this makes it possible to grow fruit even when you have limited outdoor space. Even if you have enough land to plant a tree, you might be swayed to plant some in pots for all the benefits this growing method offers.

Other reasons you should consider growing fruit trees in containers include:

• You can move the containers indoors during the winter, making it possible to grow a Meyer lemon, for example, in an area that sees freezing temperatures that would otherwise kill the tree. (My mother overwinters her Meyer lemon in her attached garage for the winter. Watch how she overwinters her lemon here.)
• Fruit trees in containers can be easily moved. If you’re not living in your forever home, you don’t have to leave your tree behind when it’s time to go. And you can plant them in the ground later, when you’re ready.
• The trees won’t get very big, so ladders are not necessary for harvest or pruning.
• You’re more likely to keep the plants harvested, watered, and cared for because you’ll see them all the time, right outside your door.
• You have more control over the plants’ ecosystem. The pH, nutrition, moisture, aeration, and drainage are up to you as you select the growing medium and choose the container.
• Fruit trees are beautiful—the leaves, the blossoms, and the fruits. They make nice additions to patio and balcony landscapes.
• It’s possible to move or rotate the containers throughout the day and the seasons so they get the appropriate amount of sunlight, unlike a ground-planted tree, which is at the mercy of the trees and structures around it.

Features to look for when growing fruit trees in containers

The limited space for roots to grow in a container is the largest factor to consider when looking at fruit trees to grow in pots. The plant label will tell you what you need to know. Look for dwarf varieties or varieties grown on dwarf rootstock. Be careful to choose the dwarf variety and not the semi-dwarf variety when growing fruit trees in containers. Semi-dwarf trees will get too big.

Also be sure to read not just the name of the variety but the specifications on the plant label. A good mature height for a dwarf fruit tree is 4 to 6 feet. A tree may be called a “dwarf,” but when the label says it grows to 10 feet at maturity, you know this is not a dwarf variety.

Because you’re likely growing fruit trees in containers as a result of limited outdoor space, find self-fertile varieties whenever possible. These need only one tree of their kind to produce fruit. Those that are not self-fertile require more than one of the same variety to achieve proper pollination and fruit set. Both kinds require pollinators for fruit set, which is something you’ll do by hand if you keep your trees indoors while they’re flowering (as is sometimes the case with citrus if you live in a cold climate).

The best fruit trees for pots

So many types of fruit tree varieties can be grown in pots. Here are a few, including varieties, to consider for your container garden:

Apple trees for containers

1. Greensleeves apples can be found in dwarf varieties growing to 6 feet.
2. You’ll find several varieties of columnar apple trees, which grow as a main stem (or trunk) with short spurs instead of full branches. Many of these varieties, such as Blushing Delight, are not self-fertile but the trees are compact enough that you can grow two trees in little space.
3. Most apple varieties can be grafted onto dwarf rootstocks. Whether your favorite is the ubiquitous Pink Lady or a regional favorite, search for these on dwarf rootstock for your container garden. I love the mini-dwarf varieties available from Raintree Nursery—just be sure to select “mini dwarf” as the root stock option when you’re on their website.

Citrus trees for growing in pots

1. In traditional, in-ground gardening, citrus fruit is out of reach for northern gardeners. But when you plant a dwarf citrus in a container, you can bring it inside for the winter. Now everyone can grow their own citrus.
2. Improved Meyer lemon is a variety of small fruit tree that is commonly grown in containers.
3. Bearss limes, also known as Persian limes, are dwarf evergreens that produce seedless fruits.
4. Washington navel oranges are self-fertile trees with fragrant white flowers.

Container blueberry varieties

Not technically a “tree” but more like a bush, blueberries are still an excellent option for growing fruit in containers. You can find dwarf varieties to grow on small balconies, but many of the more compact regular varieties will do fine in a large container.

1. Duke is a compact, early fruiting blueberry bush that produces an abundance of standard blueberries.
2. Top Hat grows to just 18 inches tall and is self fertile.
3. Pink Lemonade is a pink, almost-citrusy, blueberry suited for container growing.

How large of a pot do you need when growing fruit trees in containers?

A deep, wide container is best for growing fruit trees. The diameter of the pot needs to accommodate the root ball with some room to spare. Start with the smallest container size your tree will allow, and step up from there, amending the growing medium each time. A 5- to 7-gallon pot may be all you need to start with. Move up to a 10- to 15-gallon container when the plant is a few years old, and plan to use a 20- to 25-gallon pot to house your dwarf fruit trees for the long term. 20-plus gallons are best for semi-dwarf fruit trees.

Also consider how you’ll move this container as the tree grows. A mature tree and pot full of wet soil can weigh a few hundred pounds. A wheeled plant caddy or planter dolly is a must.

What type of pot to use

With all of the plant pots available, it’s hard to know which to choose for growing fruit trees in containers. There are a few characteristics to look for:

• Your aesthetic and budget. Plastic, fabric, terracotta, glazed clay, fiberglass, or composition materials will make a difference in the look of your landscape and the cost of your project.
• Durability. Your fruit trees are living in their pots for the long haul. A quality container that you don’t have to replace each year is a good choice. If the pot will be outdoors all winter long, be sure to choose a frost-proof container.
• Drainage. Fruit tree roots suffer in soggy soil. They need drainage and aeration. You may need to drill drainage holes in the bottom of the container if the one you choose doesn’t offer adequate water movement.
• Evaporation. Fruit trees require a lot of water. A larger container will hold onto water longer than a smaller container. A container made of porous material—such as a fabric or terra cotta pot—will allow more water to evaporate.

The best soil for growing fruit trees in containers

In your fruit-tree container, you’re providing all of the nutrients the tree roots would naturally take up from the earth. Start with a good-quality all-purpose potting mix or make your own. Amend the soil by blending it with 50/50 with compost or composted pine bark, depending on your tree’s needs.

Blueberries require acidic soil. Use a soil amendment to lower the pH, such as one with gypsum and sulfur.

In addition to having the right nutrients, the growing medium needs to both retain moisture and allow water to drain. It should be friable rather than compact so oxygen and water can move through. Look for a potting mix that contains peat or vermiculite to promote good drainage.

Ideal growing conditions

The ideal growing conditions depend on which fruits you’re growing. For the most part, fruit trees need 5 to 6 hours or more of direct sunlight.

Whether you need to move them indoors for the winter will depend on their USDA Plant Hardiness Zone rating. This rating, from Zone 1a to 13b, outlines the coldest temperature the plant is likely to survive. For example, if you live in USDA Zone 4b—central Minnesota—and you want to grow Morello cherry trees, you can leave the plants outdoors over the winter because that variety is hardy in USDA Zone 4 to 9. Farther north, your cherry tree should be protected for the winter.

Containerized fruit tree care

Regular watering is essential for fruit tree health and production. Evenly moist soil is the goal. Hand-watering a few pots on your patio is a pleasant activity. If you have more than just a few containers growing fruit trees, or if you find it’s hard to keep up with the frequency of watering, you can set up a drip irrigation system with tube emitters that deliver water directly to the container.

One task to perform every two to three years is to remove the tree from the container to inspect its root ball. If the tree is becoming rootbound—roots growing in a spiral around the pot—prune the roots to free them. Then place the root-pruned tree back into the pot. Refresh the soil at this time with compost to add organic matter and nutrients.

An annual task is to prune the branches. Even dwarf varieties of trees will grow out of control if left unchecked. Prune fruit trees in the winter to retain the shape and size you’re looking for. (Follow this advice for pruning blueberries.)

Preparing potted fruit trees for winter

Depending on your climate, you’ll want to bring some of your fruit tree containers indoors for the winter. Citrus trees are the most likely to overwinter inside, but check the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone for each of your varieties to see if there are others that won’t survive your cold snaps. On the opposite side of the climate spectrum, apple trees thrive on “chill hours,” the amount of time the temperature dips below 45 degrees F in a year.
In all containers left outdoors over the winter, roots are less protected from extreme cold than when they’re insulated by the ground. Also, fragile containers can break if the wet soil expands as it freezes. You may need to take steps to insulate the container or shelter it from the coldest weather using a warmer microclimate in your yard. Insulation could be as simple as a wall of strawbales around the container.

During winter in dry climates, you’ll need to continue watering your fruit trees. Remember, they’re not dead, they’re just dormant! The roots still need water to survive.

More tips for success growing fruit trees in containers

A lot of information about growing fruit trees in containers focuses on winter weather. Trees need care in hot weather, as well. A primary concern is being sure the tree has enough water. Container-grown fruit trees have small root systems. Unlike the trees planted in open ground, their roots can’t go searching for water. Mulch the container soil surface to reduce water evaporation and to keep the sun from baking the growing medium into a hard clay.

And I have one more piece of advice: Bird netting. You probably already grow your small fruits, like strawberries, with bird netting. It’s a fact that birds love tree fruit, too. Even fruits grown close to your home are vulnerable to predation. Nets or protective cages around the tree can protect your cherry, peach, and plum trees.

The real deal

Come July, as you’re making your fruit smoothies from blueberries, cherries, and peaches harvested from your own fruit trees, you’ll never want to turn back to store-bought fruit—but let’s be real. The fruit probably won’t make it to the blender before you eat it.

With proper tree selection and care, growing fruit trees in containers is not just possible, but enjoyable. Dwarf varieties of all kinds of fruits, favorite varieties grafted onto dwarf rootstock, and containers to match your landscaping open all kinds of options for adding container-grown fruit to your garden roster. Check out your favorite fruit-tree-catalog selections, choose one or two to start with, and you’re on your way to a good crop of fresh fruit from your balcony or patio.

For more on growing backyard fruits, please visit the following articles:

• Raising strawberries in raised beds
• Pruning blueberries
• Selecting the best fruit trees for your climate
• Yellow raspberries
• Pruning raspberries
• Fertilizing blueberry bushes