How To Grow Fruit Trees In Containers

You can grow many fruit trees in pots, provided you select the right type. So find out what fruit trees you can grow in pots below.

Fruit Trees You Can Grow

When growing fruit trees in pots, you must get one with a dwarf rootstock.

This means the tree has been cut previously at its base and then grafted onto the roots of another tree.

The rootstock it is grafted onto will be of a smaller tree.

This then restricts the final size of your fruit tree, meaning it stays much smaller.

There are many dwarf rootstocks, denoted by a letter and a number or name. M9 and M26, or pixy, are three examples.

Apples

There are a lot of choices when it comes to dwarf apple trees, so have a look around and see if there is a variety you particularly like.

If you are only getting a singular apple tree, then make sure you get a self-fertile variety.

When you get a potted apple tree, you will want to gradually pot it on into larger pots for the first few years.

Every time you do this, you should also give the roots a good prune and remove any thick, large roots.

You can also get singular branched column apple trees. These are also called Minarettes and they are perfect for growing in containers.

Pears

Pears are tougher to grow than apples but thrive on a sheltered patio in a pot.

Ensure you keep on top of watering container-grown pears, particularly during the fruiting period.

You will also want to feed them once a week while growing. Just use a multi-purpose fertiliser.

Figs

Figs actually respond well to being grown in pots because they don’t mind a good prune.

Depending on your location, you may need to take your figs indoors for overwintering, so only grow them if you have the space to do this or live in an area with mild winters.

Water well throughout the fruiting season.

Citrus

Citrus trees will be the easiest or toughest trees you can grow, depending on your climate.

For me, in northern England, they are almost impossible to grow outside and only really work in a conservatory.

If you live in a warm sunny area, think Valencia or California, then they will be really easy to grow.

If you do decide to grow them indoors or do a mix where you will grow them outdoors and then bring in over winter, make sure to buy a plastic pot to reduce the overall weight and make this task easier.

Cherries

Cherry trees are grown for the blossom as much as the fruit.

This makes them a perfect patio tree as you get the best of both worlds, gorgeous blossom followed by tasty fruit!

Cherry trees require more care than many other fruit trees on this list.

One reason is that they only fruit on one and two-year-old branches. So to get a lot of fruit off them you need to stay on top of your pruning.

Peaches

Peaches can be tricky to grow, not because the tree itself is delicate, but because their blossom is.

In colder areas, it is recommended to get a late flowering type, otherwise, a late frost will wipe out your flowers.

No flowers mean no fruit and one disappointed gardener!

Plums

Plums are pretty a simple fruit tree to grow, and there are many self-fertile varieties, so you only need to grow one tree to get fruit.

Make sure your pot has good drainage as plums hate having their roots sitting in water.