5 Types of Fruit Trees That Grow Well in Pots, According to Experts

• Jonathan Foster is a horticulturalist at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
• Laurelynn Martin is the co-owner of Logee’s Plants in Danielson, Connecticut, and co-author with Byron Martin of the book Growing Tasty Tropical Plants in Any Home.

Citrus Trees

If you’re considering growing fruit trees indoors as houseplants, citrus trees are some of the best plants for the job.

“They are adaptable and do well growing in confined spaces,” explains Jonathan Foster of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. For containers, Foster specifically recommends Ponderosa and Meyer lemons, calamondin oranges, tangerines, and kumquats.

“If home gardeners can accommodate their growing needs, most of these species have a good chance of being a beautiful houseplant and producing at least some fruit,” adds Foster.

Laurelynn Martin of Logee’s Plants agrees and adds her own personal citrus tree recommendation.

“While most citrus make good container plants, the Australian Red Lime is an exceptional choice because it produces sweet-smelling flowers followed by an abundance of small red limes,” says Martin. “Unlike any other citrus we grow, its weeping habit and small stature make it a great choice for windowsills, too.”

Fig Trees

Fig trees are another excellent pick for container growing, but unlike citrus, figs fruit best if they’re kept in full sun in summer and then overwintered in a cool spot in winter. You can achieve this by keeping potted trees outdoors year-round in mild climates or by moving your trees to a cool, protected spot when temperatures drop in fall.

“Edible figs are great plants for containers as they easily produce fruit on their seasonal branches every year,” explains Martin.

Martin specifically recommends the dwarf fig Ficus carica ‘Fignomenal’ as her top pick for growing in pots. This pint-sized fig usually stays under 2 to 3 feet in height, and reliably produces dark, sweet fruit as long as it receives full sun.

Dwarf Everbearing Mulberry

Standard mulberry trees are too large for container growing and can reach heights of over 70 feet. However, smaller varieties, such as the dwarf everbearing mulberry (Morus nigra) can be an excellent choice for container growing.

“Although it can become quite large in the ground, the dwarf mulberry remains small in containers,” says Martin. “Container plants can easily be covered to keep birds from snatching the fruit as well.”

Martin notes, however, that dwarf mulberries aren’t as cold-hardy as standard mulberry trees, so it’s essential to protect them in winter in chilly locations. These trees also require full sun to fruit well.

Dwarf Papaya

If you love the tropics but live in a chilly spot, you can bring a tropical vibe into your home by growing a dwarf papaya variety, like Carica papaya ‘TR Hovey,’ in a pot indoors.

“We love ‘TR Hovey’ for its early fruiting and low bearing fruit,” says Martin. “Most papayas grow tall and produce fruit at the top of the plant. But ‘TR Hovey’ was bred to fruit early and fruit low to the ground, making it a perfect container plant,” she adds.

If you want to try your hand at growing papayas, move your plants outdoors in summer and indoors before cool weather hits, and don’t forget to provide your plants with lots of sun and fertilizer.

Other Dwarf Trees

The previous fruit tree selections can all be grown indoors or outdoors as long as they’re protected from harsh winter weather. However, if you’re considering growing fruit trees year-round in outdoor pots, you have even more options.

“Home gardeners can grow just about any kind of fruit tree that is hardy for their growing zone outdoors in pots,” says Foster. “That includes apples, pears, peaches, apricots, plums, cherries, and quince—as well as berry bushes, like blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.”

The key is to choose a dwarf tree variety and a well-draining, roomy pot, and to take a few precautions to ensure your potted tree thrives.

 “A full size fruit tree will not do well in a container,” advises Foster. “In cold climates containers almost certainly need winterizing, and container plants in all climates dry out faster and are at a higher risk of dehydration during drought.”

To avoid these issues, Foster suggests using a drip irrigation system and adding mulch to slow evaporation rates. Mulching can also protect trees from some cold damage and help trees better withstand cool weather. However, if you live in a cold climate, you may still need to move containerized trees into a protected garage or potting shed in winter, and wrap breakable pots in bubble wrap, straw, or an old blanket to keep them from cracking.