Fruit tree in a pot: which kind and which pot size?

You can grow a fruit tree in a pot, as long as you choose a small variety on a dwarf rootstock and a pot at least 40 to 50 cm across with a drainage hole. Dwarf pears, apples, cherries and plums do well on a patio or balcony, provided you protect them a little in winter.

Which fruit trees suit a pot?

Not every fruit tree is happy in a container. You want a variety that stays small and still bears fruit. Check the rootstock when you buy: a slow growing rootstock keeps the tree compact. A nursery or garden centre can tell you which rootstock the tree has.

• Pear tree: a dwarf or columnar pear is slim and fits a patio. Ideally choose two varieties that flower at the same time.
• Apple tree: an apple on a dwarf rootstock stays around 2 metres. Columnar apples take up very little width.
• Cherry tree: sour cherries are often self fertile, which makes them an easy choice for a pot.
• Plum, fig and soft fruit: plums and figs do well in a sheltered spot. Currants and raspberries are lower alternatives.

We already wrote about figs: read how to choose and overwinter a fig tree in a pot.

What pot size does a fruit tree need?

Start with a pot 40 to 50 cm across for a young tree and move up to 60 cm or more when you repot. A pot that is too small dries out fast and the tree struggles, while a pot far too big holds a lot of moisture around small roots. Going up 5 to 10 cm at a time is a good rule of thumb. For more on measuring, read which size flower pot you need.

Look at height too. Fruit trees need deep roots, so a pot about as tall as it is wide works better than a shallow bowl. A large pot with a tree and wet soil is heavy. Put it in its final spot straight away, or on a platform with wheels.

Which pot material is best for a potted fruit tree?

Terracotta and other unglazed pottery are porous: they breathe and moisture evaporates faster. That helps against wet roots, but you will need to water more often in summer. Plastic holds moisture for longer. Not all terracotta is frost resistant. A fruit tree stays outside all year, so choose a frost resistant pot with a drainage hole.

Frost is a risk to the roots as well as the pot. In a pot the roots sit above ground and freeze through faster than in a garden bed. The KNMI publishes current weather forecasts, useful for knowing when to protect the tree. Also read which pots can stay outside in frost.

How does pollination work for a potted fruit tree?

Many apples and pears need a second tree of a different variety to set fruit. That is awkward when you only have room for one pot. Choose a self fertile variety instead, or a tree with several varieties grafted on. Sour cherries and many plums are often self fertile, but always check the label. If a neighbour has a tree of the same kind nearby, bees will usually help without a second tree.

How much water and feed does a potted fruit tree need?

A fruit tree in a pot depends on you. In summer a large tree can need several litres on a warm day. Always check first: if the soil is dry a few centimetres down, water well until it runs out of the hole. Never stand the pot in a saucer of standing water.

• Feed with plant food or compost in spring and summer, because nutrients wash out of a pot.
• Replace the top layer of soil with fresh potting compost every year.
• Repot every two to three years, or trim the roots lightly.
• Add a layer of mulch to slow evaporation.

How do you overwinter a fruit tree in a pot?

Most fruit trees are hardy, but in a pot you have to help the roots. Place the pot close to the house wall, on pot feet so water can drain, and wrap it in bubble wrap or hessian. Spread leaves or bark on the soil. On frost free days in winter, water a little now and then. To see how to bring a mosaic pot safely through the cold months, read how to overwinter your mosaic pot without damage.

Does a mosaic pot suit a fruit tree?

A handmade mosaic pot gives a fruit tree more character on the patio. At Masr Potten & Vazen every piece is handmade and no two are identical: colour differences and small irregularities are part of handwork. Sizes run from compact bowls to amphorae of about 120 cm. Browse the collection for pots with enough volume for a tree. If you have a certain size or colour in mind, custom work is possible in colour, model and size. A no obligation quote arrives within two working days via the quote page.