17 Best Trees You Can Grow in Containers

You can grow some of your favorite trees in containers, whether you love lively evergreens or delicious sub-tropical fruit trees. You only need a little space, good soil, and a consistent maintenance routine to get these trees to thrive. 

Some of the tallest tree species have dwarf varieties that look like their larger relatives. They’re shorter and have more compact root structures. Some are so compact that they’ll even work as houseplants. 

Set aside a small space in your garden, yard, or even indoors. Select your favorite containers and try growing these small-stature trees at home. Here are 17 trees that are perfect for growing in containers. 

Improved Meyer Lemon Tree

	botanical name Citrus x meyeri ‘Improved’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4-12’
	hardiness zones 8-11

Picking fresh lemons off a tree is a luxury those of us living in zones 8-11 can enjoy. However, some species of these small citrus trees can grow in containers. One of the most popular is the Meyer lemon. An Improved Meyer lemon is a cross between Citrus limon and Citrus reticulata, also known as a mandarin orange. 

It’s easy to grow and produces big, ripe fruit that’s both tart and sweet. You can also use its aromatic leaves for cooking when they’re young. Tender lemon leaves have essential oils that pack lemon flavor. Besides its culinary use, you’ll enjoy fragrant blooms that fill your home or outdoor space with lemony scents. 

Whether growing your lemon from a starter or from seed doesn’t matter. You’ll need to give it as much direct sunlight as possible. It prefers well-draining, sandy soil and consistent watering without waterlogging. Feed it with a nitrogen-rich citrus fertilizer, and you may see rich lemons growing right from your pot. 

Chinese Juniper

	botanical name Juniperus chinensis
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 50-60’
	hardiness zones 4-9

If you’ve ever seen beautiful bonsai plants growing at an exposition or Japanese garden, then you’ve probably seen a Chinese juniper. This slow-growing evergreen produces small branches and soft, wavy leaves that resemble a painting. 

It’s native to East Asia, from Japan to the Himalayas. Although some varieties grow to around 60 feet in the wild, many grow as shrubs. Because of this, the plant has been grown in pots for centuries. 

This compact evergreen grows easily in containers. It needs soil with good drainage and a neutral pH. Give it full sun and consistent water, and it should thrive, even indoors. 

Crepe Myrtle

	botanical name Lagerstroemia spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-25’
	hardiness zones 6-9

If you enjoy big, colorful blooms, try growing a crepe myrtle. It’s hard to miss a cape myrtle growing in nearly every garden in the South. Every part of the plant is gorgeous, from its cinnamon-colored flaky bark to its bundles of bright and full pink flowers. 

This floral shrub is native to Asia and spread to the US as a showy ornamental in the 18th century. It soon became one of the most planted trees in the South because of its non-fussy nature and beauty. 

Growing this ornamental plant in containers is easy. It needs lots of sunlight and a consistent watering schedule. Use a slightly acidic soil with good drainage and feed it with a balanced slow-release organic fertilizer. 

Crab Apple ‘Adirondack’

	botanical name Malus ‘Adirondack’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12-18’
	hardiness zones 4-8

Crab apples are biologically similar to the ones we buy in the grocery store, but they taste incredibly bitter and tart, making them almost inedible when raw. However, the fruit is great in jams, pickles, and savory jellies. 

What gardeners do grow them for are their richly colored blooms. One of the best cultivars for growing in containers is the ‘Adirondack’. It is compact and produces big, fragrant blooms. You’ll want to picnic underneath the plant every year while it blooms!

This plant is easy to grow in a large pot. It needs full sun and plenty of water. Use well-draining potting soil and feed it in spring and summer with a balanced organic fertilizer. 

Peach Tree

	botanical name Prunus persica
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 15 to 25’
	hardiness zones 4-9

There’s nothing like picking fresh peaches right off a tree. Fortunately, you don’t need an orchard to enjoy this wonderful experience. All you need is a need container with plenty of drainage holes and well-draining, sandy soil with a neutral pH. 

The ‘Bonfire Patio Peach’ is a great dwarf variety that thrives in containers. It will survive outside in areas with harsh winters, even in places like Northern Michigan and Maine. If you have enough light indoors, bring it in as a houseplant. 

Once your peach is established, feed it with a slow-release fruit tree fertilizer. Prune your tree in winter when it’s dormant. In spring, you should get vigorous new growth and fruit after its third or fourth year. 

Mandarin Orange

	botanical name Citrus reticulata
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height Up to 25’
	hardiness zones 9-11

Mandarin orange is a popular perennial evergreen around the world. It’s native to Asia and grows in sub-tropical and Mediterranean climates. It produces bright orange, sweet, and juicy fruit that’s popular in markets. 

If you don’t have a lot of space or live in a cold climate, don’t worry. This beautiful plant grows well in containers. There are dwarf varieties that grow easily as small shrubs. 

This evergreen needs plenty of water and soil with a lot of organic material. If your space gets consistent sun or partial shade, your plant will do well. If you satisfy its growing conditions, you’ll be harvesting your own juicy mandarins at home. 

Japanese Maple

	botanical name Acer palmatum
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 3-30’
	hardiness zones 5-8

The Japanese maple is a compact and colorful maple species native to the temperature forests of Japan. It can handle cold winters and compact soils, making it a great outdoor addition to northern climate gardens. Its foliage is bright red to dark crimson or even purple. 

As a potted plant, it grows remarkably well. With limited space, you can enjoy its brightly colored foliage as a show-stopping centerpiece. Or you can grow it amongst other plants to break up the greenery. 

This plant grows in forest understories, so it requires shade. It prefers moist soil year-round and well-draining and slightly acidic loam soil that won’t waterlog. You’ll water your plant every couple of days to keep the soil moist. You won’t have to feed your plant much; just a low-nitrogen fertilizer in spring to encourage new growth. 

Dwarf Banana Tree

	botanical name Musa acuminata, Musa balbisiana, Musa x paradisiaca
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4-12’
	hardiness zones 8-11

The dwarf banana tree comes in many varieties and cultivars. Each one is compact and produces either marvelous flowers, delicious fruit, or both! By growing a dwarf variety, you can grow this tropical tree inside or in containers. 

The banana is native to the tropical regions of South and Southeast Asia. Since it spread to Africa and the Americas, new cultivars were created to produce larger and sweeter fruit. 

As a container plant, a dwarf banana is relatively easy to care for as long as it gets enough light. To get a healthy crop of fruit, try giving your plant at least 12 hours of sun a day. Water consistently, but avoid over-saturating the soil. Use high-quality organic potting soil with plenty of organic material. 

Rhododendron

	botanical name Rhododendron spp.
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 6-10′
	hardiness zones 4-8

Rhododendron is a popular houseplant and decorative shrub. Over 900 species are growing around the world, but most are native to Asia. Rhododendron hirsutum is the first recorded cultivated species. Since the 17th century, botanists brought the ornamental plant to the Americas. 

The plant is similar to the azalea. It has ten stamina full of bell-shaped leaves. The perennial shrub’s flowers are brightly colored. There are hybrids that bloom in a variety of colors. 

This easy-to-grow plant thrives in containers. Each species and variety is different, so you’ll have to consider the type you’re growing and its specific needs. Generally, each species needs direct sunlight and plenty of moisture. Acidic soil is best for this lovely flowering plant to thrive. 

‘Kazake’ Pomegranate

	botanical name Punica granatum ‘Kazake’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6’
	hardiness zones 7-10

People grow pomegranate around the world for its nutrient-dense and flavorful fruits. Although many people associate it with warm Mediterranean or Middle Eastern gardens, there are some varieties that can handle the cold. 

The ‘Kazake’ tree is a Russian dwarf variety that can handle long, cold winters and containers. You can plant this fruiting shrub in a pot and leave it outside throughout the winter in middle-range zones. In the spring, you can enjoy its bright orange blooms. In summer and early fall, you’ll have bright red and tart fruits to add to salads, hummus, and savory stews. 

This small tree grows well in well-draining soil that is rich in loam. It needs full sun and thrives with low but consistent watering. Once you get your tree growing vigorously, it should last several years and give you bright and delicious fruit. 

Apple Tree

	botanical name Malus domestica
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 20-30’
	hardiness zones 4-9

It’s hard to find a better fruit tree for containers than the apple. There are limitless cultivars and varieties to choose from. All domesticated apples come from the mountains of Kazakhstan. Many experts think it was first domesticated as far back as 4,000 years. 

Choose dwarf varieties for your home if you want to use containers or pots. You’ll have no problem harvesting delicious fruit as long as you meet your variety’s growing conditions. 

Your apple will need plenty of sunlight to produce fruit. Another key to growing healthy fruit in containers is sticking to a consistent watering schedule. One of the easiest qualities of this plant is it’s not picky with the type of soil it’s growing in. As your plant grows, you’ll need to prune it regularly to get the best growth. 

Olive Tree

	botanical name Olea europaea
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 20-30’
	hardiness zones 8-10

The olive is one of the most symbolic plants from antiquity. From the Middle East to the Mediterranean, it has played a crucial role in ceremonies, decorations, and cuisines. 

It produces meaty fruit that’s preserved, canned, and pickled. Olive oil producers crack its seeds to allow its nutrient-dense oil to flow. In many parts of the world, stone presses exist as they did for thousands of years. 

Besides its usefulness, it’s easy to grow olive trees in containers. This species thrives with very little maintenance. All you need is sandy, well-draining soil and lots of light. If you live in a colder climate and want to grow an olive indoors, try using grow lights!

Kumquat

	botanical name Citrus japonica
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 8-15’
	hardiness zones 9-11

The kumquat is a popular citrus that produces small, juicy fruit. You can eat the small fruits whole, including their skin. This makes the fruit perfect for pickling and preserving. 

This small citrus is native to Asia and can survive in colder climates than its relatives. This makes it perfect for mid-latitude container gardens or porches. There are several popular varieties to choose from, including the common ‘Nagami’ and ‘Marumi’. 

Growing a kumquat is easy as long as it gets plenty of sun. Keep the soil moist but not overly saturated. It will thrive in almost any soil it grows in, aside from sticky clay. Feed your plant with an all-purpose organic fertilizer for the best results. 

‘Celeste’ Fig

	botanical name Ficus carica ‘Celeste’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 7-10′
	hardiness zones 6-8

The fig tree is an amazingly hardy grower. You can even see it growing out of rock faces or ancient ruins in Europe and the Middle East. This means you can get it to grow abundantly in containers with no problems. 

The ‘Celeste’ variety is one of the easiest to grow. It produces juicy and sweet purple fruit. It’s cold hardy down to zone 6. Once your plant is mature, it will produce an abundance of fruit. 

You can grow your fig in pots outside or indoors, as long as it gets full sun. Keep the soil moist and use a soil rich in organic material. Look for soil that’s neutral or a little acidic. 

Dogwood

	botanical name Cornus florida
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 15-25’
	hardiness zones 5-9

The dogwood is a beautiful flowering tree native to North America. You can find it growing throughout the U.S. as a flowering ornamental plant. The plant was an important medicinal plant for Native Americans. It’s still beloved for its many uses and multi-colored flowers that appear in summer. 

As a houseplant, this tree grows easily in containers and requires very little maintenance. As an understory shrub, it thrives in shady spaces or even indoors. It needs moderate water and moist, well-draining soil that’s slightly acidic. 

Even if you grow it inside, try bringing it outside in the summer. Its fruits are inedible to humans, but birds love them!

Dwarf Everbearing Mulberry

	botanical name Morus nigra
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-15’
	hardiness zones 5-9

The dwarf everbearing mulberry is one of the easiest mulberries to grow in pots. It’s low-maintenance and requires very little care throughout the year. It’s also incredibly fast-growing!

In summer, you’ll enjoy hundreds of deliciously sweet, slightly tart, and dark red or purple berries. Whatever you don’t eat, the birds will. If you don’t want your feathered friends to have a buffet, keep your mulberry covered. 

To get it to stay small, you’ll need to prune it regularly. Give it a good trim when it’s dormant in the winter and by spring, you’ll enjoy vigorous new growth and a bounty of fruit. 

‘Carolina Sapphire’ Cypress 

	botanical name Hesperocyparis arizonica ‘Carolina Sapphire’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 40-60’
	hardiness zones 6-9

The ‘Carolina Sapphire’ cypress is a beautiful conifer tree that grows incredibly well in containers. Although it prefers warmer climates with mild winters, you can grow it indoors in colder areas. It has inviting blue-green to silvery-green foliage that smells amazing. 

The plant forms a large conical shape that’s upright and easy to train. With a little annual pruning, you can turn it into a striking hedge plant for your home entryway. Or, you can keep it as a small bonsai or trimmed houseplant.