Fruit trees in pots — harvest your own fruit on the balcony and terrace

You don't need an orchard to harvest your own fruit: many fruit trees grow very well in pots, on a balcony, a terrace or in a small courtyard. Apple, pear, plum, cherry and fig trees, citrus, black mulberry and olive: our trees are delivered in pots, ready to be set in a large container, and give you blossom in spring, foliage in summer and fruit within arm's reach.

Which fruit trees can you grow in pots?

Apple and pear trees: apple 'Jonagold', with large, crisp, sweet apples, apple 'Elstar', juicy and aromatic, and pear 'Conference', one of the most widely grown pears in Europe. Plum and cherry trees: plums 'Victoria' and 'Opal', generous and self-fertile, and cherry 'Regina', with large dark red cherries. Fig trees: compact and productive, they are among the easiest fruit trees in pots; discover every variety in our Fig trees collection. Citrus: lemon and calamondin trees flower and fruit in pots, provided they spend the winter frost-free. Finally, black mulberry and olive bring a Mediterranean touch to the terrace.

Pollination: self-fertile or not?

'Victoria' and 'Opal' plums are self-fertile: a single tree is enough to get fruit. Cultivated figs need no pollination. 'Conference' pear is partly self-fertile and crops better with another pear nearby. On the other hand, 'Regina' cherry and 'Jonagold' apple need a compatible pollinator in the vicinity, which is often the case in town thanks to neighbouring gardens and balconies.

Choosing the right pot and compost

Plant your tree in a pot with drainage holes of at least 30 to 40 litres, then repot it every two or three years into a slightly larger container, up to 50 to 80 litres. Add a layer of clay pebbles at the bottom and use a good-quality, rich, free-draining compost; for citrus and olive, choose a citrus or Mediterranean compost. A pot on castors makes it easy to move citrus under cover in winter.

Watering and feeding

In a pot, water reserves are limited: water as soon as the surface of the compost is dry, more often in summer and while the fruit is forming, without leaving water standing in the saucer. Apply a fruit tree or citrus fertiliser in spring and summer. A layer of mulch on top limits evaporation and keeps the roots cool.

Getting through winter

Apple, pear, plum, cherry and mulberry trees are hardy and need winter cold to flower well: leave them outdoors, simply protecting the pot from frost with fleece or an insulating mat. Figs and olives tolerate moderate frosts; find other tough varieties among our cold and frost hardy plants. Lemon and calamondin trees must be brought into a bright, cool room, away from frost.

Pruning and harvesting

A light prune at the end of winter keeps a compact, airy shape suited to a pot. Remove dead wood and crossing branches, and thin the fruit if the tree carries too many: they will be larger and tastier. In pots, the first harvests come quickly, often from the first or second year for figs and citrus.

Fruit trees on the balcony

A potted fruit tree gives structure to a balcony or terrace while staying productive. Standard forms, such as 'Little Miss Figgy' or 'Brown Turkey' figs, are ideal for small spaces. Pair them with berries and herbs from our Fruit & herbs collection to create a true urban kitchen garden, and find our ideas for styling a balcony.