Potted trees can range from mundane, well-recognized species to unique. Frequent or exceptional, they can enhance the splendor of a small yard, a folly, or even insert to the harvestables from a house garden. Below are some prime picks for attractiveness, scent, and tastiness:
The 10 Best Trees to Grow in Pots
1. Japanese Maple Tree

USDA Hardiness Region | 4–9 depending on variety |
Sun | Partial shade |
Soil | Well–drained, acidic |
Maximum Height | 5–25 feet depending on variety/growing conditions |
Japanese Maple trees have lovely, fragile leaves that flip crimson, orange, or purple every slide. Numerous cultivars are little enough to be potted, and the effectively-drained soil in a pot favors their require for well-drained soil. It is best to prune this tree as small as achievable as youthful as feasible to steer clear of fungal infections, so choose a cultivar that suits the pot, area, and temperature zone required.
- Beautiful fall colors
- Can be purchased for colder or hotter zones
- Can be damaged by direct, hot sunlight or frozen by very cold temperatures (Zone 4 or less)
2. Citrus (Lemon, Orange, Tangerine) Tree

USDA Hardiness Region | 4–5 if pot moved indoors during cold months, otherwise 9–11 |
Sun | Full sun |
Soil | Loam or sandy loam, well-drained |
Maximum Height | Depends on cultivar |
Citrus trees are excellent-smelling, gorgeous evergreens that provide tasty fruit to the operator. It can consider 2–3 many years for them to build sufficient to start off bearing fruit if developed from an adult tree, 7 several years if developed from seed. Make certain that a cultivar that can fit in the sought after place is decided on and/or that the tree is appropriately pruned to fit the room. The pot ought to be perforated so it drains nicely, and the soil should be held relatively dry when compared to most crops. Maintaining the pot elevated off the floor will let far better airflow – crucial to citrus root well being.
- Wonderful smell
- Beautiful leaves
- Fruit!
- Must be moved indoors during cold months
- May have to wait several years for fruiting
3. Juniper

USDA Hardiness Region | 2–7 |
Sun | Full sun |
Soil | Well-drained |
Maximum Height | 2–50 feet depending on variety |
Juniper crops increase nicely in most of North America, which includes colder climates. They have a distinct, refreshing scent and can be formed with shears or other pruning tools to accentuate landscapes or other functions about a home. Scaled-down varieties can be developed in pots, despite the fact that treatment should be taken to prune them correctly even though development is youthful to avoid eliminating foliage to an unsightly extent. Junipers expand nicely even in highly urbanized environments as they tolerate pollution.
- Easy to grow, hardy
- Minimal maintenance, does not need fertilizing or require pruning
- Smells good and berries are favored by wildlife
- Flowers are not particularly beautiful
- Difficult to start from seed, likely will need to get and transport a live tree
4. Dwarf Conifer
USDA Hardiness Region | 4–8, some cultivars above or below |
Sun | Shade to full sun depending on variety |
Soil | Many depending on variety, usually prefer well-drained sandy loam |
Maximum Height | Many depending on variety |
Conifers are wonderful additions to any yard, patio, or landscape. They can be had in kinds of all styles and sizes, favoring most temperature ranges in The us, and with evergreen foliage of a lot of hues. For details on the wild variety accessible, check out out the Hinoki cypress, Thuja occidentalis, or Weeping Blue Atlas Cedar kinds. They provide yellow, pink, and blue-tinted foliage respectively, and hugely contrasting leaf styles.
- Available in dozens of varieties
- Hardy and easy to grow when matched correctly with sunlight needs/hardiness zone
- Good smelling
- None
5. Edible Fig

USDA Hardiness Region | 8–10, must bring indoors if lower |
Sun | Full sun |
Soil | pH 6.0–6.5, loamy and well-draind |
Maximum Height | Depends on variety, may outgrow pot eventually |
Only particular edible fig trees are bred for growing in pots: Blanche, Brown Turkey, Celeste, Verte, Ventura, and Chicago are a number of to take into account. Figs are fairly unheard of in American diet programs, but flavorful and exceptional in many dishes. They are also quite wholesome, made up of numerous vitamins and minerals and a healthier cross-segment of carbs and fat.
- Fruit-bearing
- Can be pruned to shape – done correctly, this also encourages fruiting
- Tree may outgrow pot and need to be planted in the ground or moved to a larger enclosure
6. Crape Myrtle

USDA Hardiness Region | 6–9, some varieties tolerate colder |
Sun | Full sun ideal |
Soil | Moist, well-drained |
Maximum Height | 2–3 feet for dwarf, pot-ready varieties |
Crepe myrtles are usually related with the American South – beautiful, complete blossoms and daylight-loving. They only do well in zone six or above in the ground, but can be grown in other zones in pots if they are brought indoors in the course of the cold portion of the year. Container sizing needs to reflect the optimum peak of the plant, so if “indoors” is in an common living area, it will be important to go with a dwarf cultivar that only reaches 2–3 feet.
- Beautiful flowers
- Hardy
- Proper cultivars ideal size for pots
- Will have to bring indoors in cooler zones
7. Olive

USDA Hardiness Region | 8–11 depending on variety, very sensitive to freezing |
Sun | 8–12 hours of direct sunlight/day |
Soil | Loams (sandy, silt, clay, or silty clay) |
Maximum Height | Max height determined by pruning (can reach up to 50 feet planted in the ground) |
Olive trees are appropriate for ornamental pruning and will require it to develop in containers without obtaining way too huge. They come in fruit bearing and purely ornamental types, and are drought-tolerant, so they do well with containers. Make sure to select a large pot. Olive trees expand far more slowly when potted, but even tiny olive trees will expand large at some point and require area for their roots to grow. It is also most likely the tree will call for repotting as it grows, and the root system commences to wrap close to inside of the pot.
- Elegant appearance that can be pruned/trained into shapes
- Can be fruit bearing
- Drought-resistant
- Has to be moved indoors when it’s cold outside
- Requires pruning/training and repotting
8. Rhododendron

USDA Hardiness Region | 4–8, may be wider or narrower depending on variety |
Sun | Full sun to partial shade |
Soil | Well-drained, acidic (pH 4.5–6.0) |
Maximum Height | Can be up to 13 feet tall when not pruned back |
Rhododendrons are shrubs that are coated in gorgeous flowers during their blooming time. They are obtainable in 1000's of varieties for various growth situations, colors, and flower dimensions/condition. As with several potted trees, a pot ought to be larger than the one particular the tree will come in – someplace all around one particular-3rd bigger. Rhododendrons want a effectively-drained pot and fertilizer for the highest rewards and want repotting every single calendar year to two several years.
- Tremendous variety available
- Easy to care for
- Renowned for beautiful flowers
- Need repotting and fertilizer, slightly higher maintenance than some others on this list
Related Study: 10 Effortless Vegetables to Develop in Pots (With Photographs)
9. Sweet Bay

USDA Hardiness Region | 8–10, possibly 7 in some areas |
Sun | Full sun |
Soil | Well-drained and high in compost |
Maximum Height | Approximately 6 feet when container-grown |
Sweet bay is treasured for its pleasant smell and as an herb in cooking. The leaves are 2”–4” lengthy and brilliant eco-friendly. It grows as a little shrub or tree, and if container developed it will grow considerably less and less rapidly than if developed in the ground. Container crops must be brought indoors if temperatures will slide to or under freezing. Pruning increases leaf density, leading to the plant to increase shorter and thicker like a shrub instead of tall like a tree. Repotting or root pruning is advised around every single 3rd 12 months. If harvesting leaves for cooking, drying them 1st enhances and concentrates the flavor.
- Herb that can be used in home cooking
- Aromatic herb has an excellent smell
- Can prune branches and roots to shape plant for container growth
- Somewhat higher maintenance with pruning/moving indoors during freezing season
10. Flowering Dogwood

USDA Hardiness Region | 5–8 ideal, may tolerate 9 |
Sun | Partial shade to full sun in cooler zones, partial shade only in zone 9 |
Soil | Loamy, clay, sandy, well-drained, moist |
Maximum Height | 15–40 feet |
Flowering dogwood trees can be developed in pots, and they are beautiful. That stated, they are regarded a difficult tree to develop in a pot and are recommended for severe gardeners seeking for a obstacle. Dogwoods have deeper, advanced root methods that make container expanding tough. They need to have heaps of h2o but the soil also has to be well-drained. Root pruning is a need to to preserve the plant container-sized.
- Lovely white or red (purple-hued) blossoms
- Challenging to grow in containers, lots of maintenance
What do I need to know about caring for potted trees?
Potted trees will dry out far more quickly than these planted in the earth. It is crucial to h2o regularly, meet up with any fertilization wants for the decided on species, and make sure a species that can survive in a pot has a pot massive enough for its root method. Pots ought to be acquired at the very least one-third more substantial than the pot the plant comes in the nursery. Examine the sort of plant and know whether it demands over or beneath ground pruning and how usually, and how often it wants to be repotted to develop nicely.
Container developed vegetation also permit gardeners in cold climates to expand crops that typically only do well in hotter zones. These crops can either be grown in an arboretum or greenhouse yr-spherical or brought exterior when the weather will be warm enough, then brought back again in when the weather receives chilly once again.
Conclusion
We looked at ten types of tree that do effectively in containers with the appropriate care. Some are especially gorgeous, smell great, or provide fruits or natural elements for recipes. All of them are very good candidates to take into account for a home, backyard, porch, arboretum, or greenhouse. Bear in mind to meticulously take into account the last measurement and care needs ahead of purchasing a tree!
Highlighted Picture Credit score: Trambitski, Shutterstock
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