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Best trees for container growing


Best Trees To Grow In Pots

Plenty of trees can be grown in pots and containers, providing you with all the benefits of a tree but with the convenience and ease of growing in a pot.

The ideal types of tree to grow in pots are slow-growing or dwarf varieties. Search for varieties described as 'dwarfing' – a 'vigorous' tree will grow too quickly to do well in a pot, while an 'extremely dwarfing' tree will be too weak to cope with growing in a pot.

You could also look for a lollipop tree, with a single stem and a rounded crown. Or opt for a multi-stem tree, which has several trunks growing from near the base, which reduces the overall height the tree will grow to. Fruit trees are often sold attached to a rootstock that controls how big they eventually grow and are often sold as dwarf fruit trees.

Alan Titchmarsh's favourite trees for pots

Alan Titchmarsh discusses his favourite trees to grow in pots, including Japanese maple, snowy mespulis and apples:

How to care for a tree in a pot

Tree containers should be large to ensure a good root run and adequate moisture and nutrient levels. Remember that patio trees have less access to water than trees growing in the ground, so you will need to water it more often than you would normally. Every spring, scrape off as much of the top layer of compost as you can and replace with fresh, loam-based compost, to give the tree a boost of nutrients. Feed fortnightly in summer, following the instructions on the bottle or packet. After four or five years, you'll need to repot your tree into a slightly larger pot. Alternatively, you can root-prune the tree and replant it into the same pot with fresh compost.

Where to buy tree pots online:

We've also found a selection of eco-friendly plant pots. Need to buy compost? Find all the information you need to choose the best peat free composts in our buyer's guide, as well as tips on how to refresh compost in pots.

Best trees to plant in pots

1

Apple (

Malus domestica)

Malus domestica 'Arthur Turner'

Spring blossom, followed by fruit in the autumn. Look for an apple growing on an M26 or M27 (dwarfing) rootstock. Many fruit trees grown on small rootstocks can be grown in tree planters – read our guide to growing dwarf fruit trees.

2

Flowering dogwood (

Cornus florida f. rubra)

Pink-flowering dogwood, Cornus florida f. rubra. Photo: Getty Images.

Slow-growing with long-lasting, pink bracts in spring and purple autumn leaves. The conical shape of this flowering dogwood adds architectural interest.

3

Italian cypress (

Cupressus sempervirens)

Potted Cupressus sempervirens.

Although Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) grows very tall, it can be clipped to keep it in check. Create a formal look with a matching pair.

4

Japanese maple (

Acer palmatum)

Potted Japanese maple, Acer palmatum 'Dissectum Atropurpureum'

Japanese maples are slow-growing and come in a huge variety of colours. They are among the best trees for small gardens. Keep them in a sheltered position, out of strong winds and hot midday sun. There are some lovely varieties to choose from, with Acer palmatum 'Orange Dream' being a particular favourite.

5

Snowy mespilus (

Amelanchier lamarckii)

Snowy mespilus blossom, Amelanchier lamarckii.

This delicate, small tree boasts spring blossom and vibrant autumn colour. Snowy mespilus is often grown multi-stemmed.

6

Olive (

Olea europaea)

Young olive trees in pots on a terrace. Photo: Getty Images.

Olive trees are ideal for sheltered urban plots and should be moved into a greenhouse or porch when the weather gets very cold.

7

Persian silk tree (

Albizia julibrissin)

Flowers of Persian silk tree, Albizia julibrissin. Photo: Getty Images.

The Persian silk tree has finely divided, mimosa-like leaves and flowers that resemble pink shaving-brushes, which give this hardy, shrubby tree an exotic look. Copes well with full sun and heat.

8

Starry magnolia (

Magnolia stellata)

Star magnolia, Magnolia stellata.

Most magnolias grow too large for pot, but the star magnolia is a compact, multi-stemmed type, with star-like flowers.

9

Citrus trees

Lemon trees growing in pots. Getty Images

Citrus trees, including oranges and lemons (pictured) do very well in pots, particularly terracotta pots as they are porus and don't hold on to moisture (ideal for these Mediterranean species).

10

Bay tree

Bay tree in a pot

Bay trees are well-suited to growing in pots. They're easy to prune into topiary shapes, so can be used to make formal 'lollipop' shapes to position on either side of your front door.

Best trees to grow in pots: 15 beautiful compact varieties

(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)

The best trees to grow in pots can add much needed interest to patios, courtyards and other areas of your back yard.

With both deciduous and evergreen options, offering various leaf color, fruit and flowers through the seasons, potted trees are versatile container gardening ideas.

Growing pots in trees is a way to zone a secluded seating or dining area as a patio idea, flowering trees can add color and scent, while citrus or olive trees are ideal if you want to create a Mediterranean-style garden.

One of the big advantages is that you can grow tree species that wouldn't usually suit the growing conditions in your hardiness zone as the best trees to grow in pots can be moved indoors in colder months. 

The best trees to grow in pots

Many different trees can thrive in pots, so look beyond the local garden center for inspiration. You could choose one of the best indoor trees that you move outdoors in warmer months to surround yourself with nature year round.

'There are many types of trees you can grow in pots and containers,' says small space gardening expert Emilly Barbosa Fernandes of Housegrail . 'They instantly brighten up any garden, and can become the main focal point.'

If you want a low-maintenance planting scheme, then the best trees to grow in pots must be compatible with your local climate, and require minimal pruning. An advantage of planting trees in pots is that you can control their soil type – perhaps growing an acid-loving tree in a chalky soil, or creating free-draining conditions in a garden with heavy clay soil.

Consider where you want the tree to be positioned in your garden, as whether it will sit in full sun or receive some shade will be a factor in which varieties will be suitable.

It's important to look at the maximum size of a tree species, and how many years it will take to reach maturity. Some trees are suited to pots for their whole life, while other slow-growing varieties can have a long pot life before needing to be eventually planted in the ground as part of your flower bed ideas. 

Trees have hungry, thirsty roots, so container size is also key. Ensure you invest in a pot that's big enough for your chosen tree to flourish.

Remember that a tree planted in a pot will dry out more quickly than in the ground, and the smaller the pot size, the more often you will have to water it.  

1. Peach tree

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Enjoy a delicious home harvest of fruit by growing a peach tree in a container. These are among the best fruit trees to grow, and ideal for trees to grow in pots, particularly as you can move the container to the sunniest and warmest positions throughout the year. 

You will need a fairly large container for growing a peach tree – although not so large that you can not easily move it when required. Good drainage is important, so either add some crocs or stones to the bottom of a container, or raise it up on pot feet to aid drainage.

'You will need to water peach trees grown in pots almost every day in the growing season, and repot them every few years' explains Guy Barter, chief horticulturist at the RHS .

2. Crab apple tree

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Producing lovely pink blossom in spring, followed by their ornamental fruits in fall, crab apples are among the best trees to grow in pots.

When planting crab apples in containers, use a pot that is approximately 12-15in. (30-40cm), in a good quality and free draining loam based compost, explain the experts at Pomona Fruits .

Keep them well watered in the first growing season, watering them daily in warmer weather. They are also among the best trees for autumn color.

3. Amelanchier

(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)

A small, compact deciduous tree, amelanchier – known by a number of other names including juneberry, shadbush and sarvisberry – offers interest through the seasons. It produces lovely starry white flowers in spring, red and purple berries in summer through to fall, and its bronze tinged young leaves turn through green to the fiery colors of orange and red, making this undoubtedly one of the best trees to grow in pots .

Amelanchier prefers a spot in full sun, so move the container to the best spot throughout the year. Plant bare root trees for the most economical option, in ericaceous compost in a large pot.

4. Japanese maple tree

(Image credit: Ian West / Alamy Stock Photo)

Japanese maples trees – or acer palmatum – are ideal for smaller gardens, as they are slow growing and require minimal pruning or training.  They also offer lovely fall color.

‘With a variety of showy cascades in foliage and colors ranging from vibrant greens to deep blood reds, this is a showcase tree for container growing,’ says Tammy Sons, owner of Tennessee Nursery .

‘Japanese maple trees do not grow to extreme heights, seldom reaching over 15 feet. My favorite varieties are 'Crimson Queen' and 'Bloodgood', with their added attribute of spectacular fall foliage.’

Meanwhile, Lisa Tadewaldt, arborist and owner of Urban Forest Pro , particularly favors the dwarf maple 'Sharp's Pygmy'. ‘They can live in a pot for hundreds of years,' she says. 'You can ignore them or pamper them – either way they always look great. This is a favorite of serious bonsai artists, and what I personally have on my deck in pots. ’

Position Japanese maples in a cool spot that receives some shade during the hottest part of the day, and water regularly in the summer. They are perfect to include for Japanese garden ideas.

5. Lemon tree

(Image credit: Future / Mark Bolton)

‘I always think there is something very romantic about a lemon tree growing in a pot,’ says Aaron Bertelsen, author of Grow Fruit & Vegetables in Pots . ‘Perhaps it is the way the scent of the blossom fills a room, or the knowledge that rich people in the past would build dedicated lemon houses to shelter their highly prized trees.’

While lemon trees make fantastic house plants during the winter, they can grow happily outdoors during the spring and summer. This is why planting them in pots is the best solution, so you can bring them indoors in frosty weather.

You can even learn how to grow lemon from seed, to surround yourself with these uplifting trees.

‘Lemons are hungry plants, so make sure you use a good, soil-based compost, adding some grit or sharp sand to improve drainage,’ adds Bertelsen, who recommends the Meyer variety as it flowers throughout the year.

Make sure you understand how to prune lemon trees to get the best out of them, and let them dry out between waterings.

6. Dwarf conifers

(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)

Larger conifers are some of the best trees for privacy and screening in a backyard, but there are a number of smaller species that are perfect for pots.

Some recommended conifers to consider are dwarf varieties of cypress trees, yew trees, mountain pines, and Chinese juniper.

‘They are not top-heavy and have an equal branch structure from the central leader to the top,’ says Sons. 

‘Evergreen conifers also offer year-round beauty and they can successfully be trimmed back in order for them to not overwhelm the container.’ 

7. Crepe Myrtle

(Image credit: Biosphoto / Alamy Stock Photo)

Crepe myrtle – or crape myrtle – is a striking tree that offers year-round interest, and grows very well in pots.

‘This beautiful tree has large trumpet-shaped flowers that often have an orange tint to them,’ says Lindsey Hyland, founder of Urban Organic Yield . 'Crape myrtles also have good fall color, with attractive peeling bark. I love how the branches are always thick enough to handle being in pots.’

Choose from flowers of white, pink or purple, which bloom from late spring through summer. Some varieties flower until the first frost in fall.

Crepe myrtle trees need full sun to thrive, and in frost-prone areas will need to be overwintered in a greenhouse or conservatory. Learn how to prune crepe myrtle to keep your trees looking their best.

8. Bay tree

(Image credit: Brent Darby)

As well as creating a sculptural feature, bay trees are aromatic herbs that have wonderfully scented leaves that can be used in cooking fresh or dried.

Bay trees look particularly stunning in pairs flanking a doorway, or can be positioned next to seating areas on the patio for outdoor dining ideas. They thrive in containers and can be clipped into attractive ball or pyramid topiary shapes.

‘A bay tree is very easy to look after, provided you give it a good sunny spot and feed it regularly,’ says Bertelsen. ‘Prune every spring, both to keep it at the size you want it and to reduce any congestion.’

It’s a good idea to repot bay trees every few years to keep them healthy and encourage fresh growth. Bay trees are an excellent choice for planter box ideas.

9. Banana tree

(Image credit: Oleksandr Sokolenko / Alamy Stock Photo)

Banana trees are some of the best trees to grow in pots if you want to add a tropical garden idea to your patio. But bear in mind if you are growing a banana tree in the garden this will generally be for their ornamental leaves, rather than for fruit, unless you live in a climate of at least 60ºF (15°C) for most of the year.

‘If you live in a cooler climate, then a banana tree still brings a taste of tropics to your landscaping,’ says Tadewaldt. ‘The growth of these trees is usually stunted by the colder weather enough that they can live in the pot for an extended period of time.'

Smaller varieties of banana tree are particularly well suited to climates with colder winters, as they can be brought inside and enjoyed as a houseplant.  

10. Rhododendron

(Image credit: Gina Kelly / Alamy Stock Photo)

As well as the popular shrubs, rhododendrons are also available in tree form – R. arboreum. Although after several decades they can eventually reach great heights of over 40 feet, they are slow-growing trees that will live happily for years in a pot, so it is worth learning how to grow rhododendrons.

‘I really like rhododendron – it is such a pretty flowering tree with red and white flowers in the summer,’ says Hyland. As an evergreen tree, it possesses attractive dark green leaves year round.

‘My favorite thing about it is its ability to thrive in stunted, acidic, or shallow soil conditions.’

Be sure you know how to prune rhododendron to keep your potted specimens under control.

11. Olive tree

(Image credit: Darren Chung)

If you want to create a Mediterranean garden, olive trees are ideal and perfectly suited to growing in containers, as they can be moved to safety during excessively cold winters.

‘Olive trees are not fond of winter, so make sure to cover them if you know a frost is coming,’ says Barbosa Fernandes.

‘They love warmth and sun, and they also do well in dry areas. However, they do need the right conditions to produce olives.’ 

In order for the trees to fruit, they will need two months with temperatures below 50°F (10°C), but above 14°F (-10°C), as well as fluctuation between day and night temperatures. Although self-fertile, olive trees benefit from cross pollination.

‘If you don’t have the right conditions to grow olives, don’t be too disappointed, as they’re such elegant evergreen trees,’ says Barbosa Fernandes. ‘Fertilize them in the spring for the best results.’

You also need to know how to prune olive trees to improve their shape and increase the chances of fruit production.

12. Wedding Cake Tree 

(Image credit: Steffen Hauser / Botanikfoto / Alamy Stock Photo)

Also known as Cornus controversa 'Variegata', the wedding cake tree is a variegated dogwood tree.  

‘The white in the leaves adds interest and it naturally grows in layers – like the layers of a cake, hence its name – and pruning will help to emphasize this form,’ says Tadewaldt.

However, regular pruning isn’t essential, and as the tree is slow-growing, it will live happily in its pot for a long time, as long as the soil is fertile. 

‘Eventually, however, this tree will outgrow the pot and need to be transplanted,’ adds Tadewaldt.

13. Apple tree

(Image credit: Unsplash)

Smaller varieties of apple tree are perfect for growing in pots on the patio. Not only are varieties grown on dwarf rootstock usually quicker to fruit, but they are often better quality than larger trees.

When choosing a variety of apple tree, you need to consider pollination. ‘Self-fertile cultivars are available, although it’s generally recommended to have at least two different partner trees nearby for cross-pollination,' explains Period Living’s gardening expert Leigh Clapp.

When planting apple trees in pairs, 'opt for different varieties of apple tree that flower at the same time.'

If you only have room for one apple tree, Red Falstaff is a great choice as it is heavy cropping and very hardy. Apples trees are among the best fast growing fruit trees so you will enjoy a well sized tree before you know it.

14. Starry magnolia

(Image credit: Getty Images)

While most types of magnolia will grow too large to plant in pots, starry magnolia is a more compact, bushy tree that produces the most beautiful white, star-shaped flowers.

The tree flowers in the spring and exudes a delicate fragrance, adding a romantic air to a patio seating area.

Position starry magnolia in a sheltered spot, and plant in neutral to acid soil that is well drained.

When established, they are low maintenance, and require only mulching in spring, and learn how to prune a magnolia tree lightly in the summer.

15. Kumquat

(Image credit: Francesco Maltinti / Alamy Stock Photo)

Citrus trees make for some of the best indoor trees, but you can grow them outside in the right climates.  

‘If you’ve never tried kumquat, then you most definitely should – you can eat the entire thing, skin and all,’ says Barbosa Fernandes. 

Producing small orange fruits and flowers that bloom in the summer, these compact  trees can be easily grown in pots, and are one of the hardiest citrus fruits.

‘Position them in full sun, and plant in moist, well-draining soil. However, you don’t need to worry about cross-pollination or cold weather killing it down to 18°F (-8°C),’ adds Barbosa Fernandes.

What trees can remain in pots?

Trees can remain in pots indefinitely if you can find a container large enough to accommodate their maximum mature size. Otherwise, you will need to plant them in the ground when they grow too large.

Opt for dwarf varieties of container-friendly trees, such as Japanese maples and small conifers. Bay trees, small citrus trees and olive trees are also good options.

Bear in mind that most trees will need potting on to a larger container every few years, when they have outgrown their pot.

(Image credit: Darren Chung)

Can trees survive in pots over winter?

Some trees can survive in pots over winter, but this will largely depend on your local climate. 

In warmer regions, for example, citrus trees can stay outside year round, but in regions that experience cold winter nights of below 50°F (10°C), they will need to be brought inside.

Japanese maple trees are excellent choices for pots in most climates, and can survive very cold winters where temperatures reach as low as -20°F (-28°C).

What are the best evergreen trees for pots?

There are a number of best evergreen trees for pots. These include Rhododendron arboreum, bay trees, conifers, Japanese holly and Italian cypress – to name but a few. There are many other options you can find to suit the conditions in your garden and area where you live.

As editor of Period Living, Britain's best-selling period homes magazine, Melanie loves the charm of older properties. I live in a rural village just outside the Cotswolds in England, so am lucky to be surrounded by beautiful homes and countryside, where I enjoy exploring. Having worked in the industry for almost two decades, Melanie is interested in all aspects of homes and gardens. Her previous roles include working on Real Homes and Homebuilding & Renovating, and she has also contributed to Gardening Etc. She has an English degree and has also studied interior design. Melanie frequently writes for Homes & Gardens about property restoration and gardening.

6 secrets to growing trees in containers (great for 2-3 acres!)

1 Choose slow growing and dwarf trees

An important condition for container growing trees is to make replanting and pruning as rare as possible. Suitable include not only dwarf varieties, but also any slow-growing growth of medium-sized trees. They will slow down their growth when their roots hit the walls of the container, and begin to grow a denser and denser crown. Suitable, for example, dwarf Albert spruce, dwarf varieties of Japanese maple, holly holly. nine0005

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2 Feel free to grow fruit trees

There is an opinion that container gardening is only a decorative technique. But in this way you can also get a harvest. To do this, plant dwarf varieties of plums, apples and pears. And if you are ready to carry out warming for the winter - dwarf apricot and peach trees. All of them will need nutrient soil, plenty of compost, periodic drainage, abundant watering and light partial shade. Use mulch to slow the evaporation of water from the pot. And do not forget to cut the fruits in time so that the thin branches do not break under their weight. Sometimes this has to be done even before the final ripening, so as not to harm the tree. nine0005

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3 Select soil for each plant

Make a list of the trees you will plant and select soil separately for each. Focus on composition and acidity. For example, dwarf spruce needs soil with a pH of 5.3-5.7. And the bay tree - with a pH of 6.5-7.5. You can, of course, purchase the usual nutrient soil of medium acidity and adjust its composition with various preparations. But ready-made soil will significantly save time, and you will not be mistaken with the dosage of funds. nine0005

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4 Choose a main container and planters of different sizes

Trees are usually planted in two containers. The first is a pot, often plastic, into which soil is poured and a tree is planted. Usually it is not more than 50 cm in diameter. The second is decorative, for example, wooden or ceramic. Many pick them up so that they match in size and are inserted into each other without a gap. But in fact, such a gap will be beneficial. Due to the air layer, the soil will heat up more slowly in the heat and cool down in the cold. And in this free space, excess water will go away during irrigation and gradually soak into the soil, preventing it from drying out. nine0005

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5 Prefer square containers

This is important for trees with a long and developed root system. In rounded containers, their roots twist and function less well. At the same time, a square container can be placed in a larger, rounded decorative planter if this is important for garden design. nine0005

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6 Complement the site with a small greenhouse or conservatory

Many compact trees that are suitable for container planting do not tolerate hard frosts. For example, the laurel tree - it rarely tolerates a temperature drop below -10 ° C. So that it and other heat-loving plantings in containers do not die in the very first winter, put a greenhouse on the site. In autumn, it will be possible to remove those miniature trees that cannot be brought into a warm house, as they need a dormant period. At the same time, the greenhouse can be compact - it is permissible to place trees in pots close enough to each other. And in the summer you can grow annual vegetables in it. nine0005

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Prepared by

Maria Revina

Dacha Plants nine0000 what to grow and in what There are places that you can't decorate without plants in containers - for example, paved squares, city streets, windowsills of houses, roofs, balconies, terraces. Basically, letniki are used for these purposes - and this is justified: bright, abundant flowering all summer, and you don’t have to think about what to do with them in winter. Woody plants in containers are no less interesting, but so far not very common.


Woody plants in containers are very interesting, but not yet common

Trees in containers

Decorating with standard roses or other ornamental woody plants in containers next to the house means creating a mini-garden atmosphere. Container plants, unlike those planted in the ground, are mobile. They can be moved, forming different compositions, including not only plants, but also stones and sculpture.


Using trees in containers, you can create a mobile mini-garden next to your house

When the decorative effect of the plants is lost, they can be removed from view and replaced with others. For example, trees of ornamental almond or forsythia are fabulously spectacular during flowering, but after flowering they are unremarkable.

It cannot be said that the fashion for trees in containers has appeared recently. For example, one of the elements of manor estates of the past is tubs with trees, and not only indoor subtropical ones ( lemons , coffee ), but also pears , grapes , apricot , Persians ...

In containers, relatively heat -loving species can be grown in containers - Stamping roses , mackerel , palm -shaped maples and others who often freeze to the level of snow. In winter, they need a dormant period, so they cannot be kept in a warm room. In the open ground, they are covered for the winter, sometimes it is quite laborious. Containers are easier. You can put it together with the plant in the finished hole, without injuring the roots, put it in a cool, but not freezing basement or garage. In this case, the container makes it possible to admire the plants characteristic of the more southern zones in summer. nine0005


Trees in containers are not uncommon on the streets of European cities

Especially often trees in containers can be seen on the streets of European cities. True, usually water is supplied to each such container for automatic irrigation, and winters are warm - there is no need to protect plants from frost.

But not all plants tolerate container growing conditions well. If there is no automatic watering, then drought- and heat-resistant species are preferable, with a compact root system that responds well to pruning, which maintains a balance between the underground and aboveground parts of the plant. This balance and feeding helps him to endure unusual conditions. nine0005


In containers you can grow heat-loving drought and heat-resistant species

All kinds of spicy- lavender , Timyana , dry-resistant dwarf bushes and miniature trees , obtained by grafting, perfectly grafting due their conditions.

At one time there was an opinion that indoor plants also need a change of scenery and it is better to take them outside in summer. However, outdoor conditions can be detrimental to them. A sharp change in temperature, lighting leads them to stress. In addition, some plants even react to the usual rearrangement or turning over of a pot or tub by dropping buds (as lemon , for example).

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Containers

In order to remove heat-loving species for the winter and move them from place to place, it is better that the container is light, plastic. Usually is used in two containers - the inner one, in which the plant is located, and the outer one - a decorative planter (ceramic, wooden, clay, etc.).


The type, volume and material of the container also matter

Between these two containers, an air gap is formed, which helps to protect the roots of plants from overheating. In addition, when watering, excess moisture is stored inside.

The color of the container also matters. Blacks warm up faster than whites in hot weather, and plants can experience temperature stress. The shape of container is also important: some plants have round roots at the bottom; to avoid this, it is recommended to use square ones. nine0005

Drying out of a clod of earth is one of the problems when growing plants in containers. To reduce the evaporation of moisture, the ground is mulched with various materials - from a scattering of small stones to pine bark and pine nut shells.

More benefits

Containers can be useful when forcing plants. In autumn, having planted lilac , forsythia , bean , chaenomeles in a container, let them enter the dormant stage, then bring them into the house in December and, having created conditions for good lighting, heat and watering, you can see them blooming .

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