Last Updated on October 31, 2021 by Phil
Can you grow fruits in pots? Why yes! And here are the best fruits and berries to grow in containers.
If you don’t have a large backyard but want to enjoy your favorite fruits without having to run to the store to get some, why not grow them yourself.
Growing fruit trees in containers let you control the soil and move the plant so it gets the ideal amount of sunlight and warmth.
This makes it easier to give them the proper conditions for optimum growth.
Best Fruits and Berries to Grow in Containers
Fig
Figs are one of the easier trees to grow because they are not fussy. And, as long as you give them full sun, they’ll do well.
That said, watch out for very warm weather especially during the summer. This will quickly dry out they soil which means you’ll need to water it more frequently during this time.
Apple
Apple are one of my favorite fruits. And, you probably love them too.
What’s more interesting is that while this fruit is often associated with a large orchard, you can actually grow one (or a few of them) in containers.
Apple trees can survive in small containers. But, you’ll be better off with a big one.
Whichever you choose, make sure to use soil that drains well. I highly suggest setting the pot on wheels or casters as well to make it easy to move the tree when you want.
Watermelon
Watermelon is high on my list of best fruits to grow in containers because it is a favorite of my pops.
He loves having fresh, cold watermelon after meals or during warm summer days.
Watermelons are big fruits. And, you probably know from eating it that it contains more water than most fruits.
As such, it requires a lot of water to grow. This is why I do recommend using a self-watering container if you plant to grow one.
They also need a good amount sunlight, be it in the patio or from a window. Thus, you can actually grow them indoors as well as outdoors.
Strawberries
Strawberries are another great fruit to grow in containers.
The lovely red fruits have small root balls. This makes it easier to keep them in containers. All you need is something that’s between 10 to 14 inches in diameter with at least 8 inches in depth.
As with many fruits on our list, strawberries need a big of watering. So, don’t go too small on the pot otherwise you’ll find yourself watering more often than you want.
Strawberries in particular are a good choice for containers because you’re able to use the exact kind of soil that’s best for it. That’s not the case for your garden. Additionally, there’s less risk from insects, pets and other critters.
Pear
Growing pears is a little bit more tricky as you have to get it right from the beginning. There are actually a few ways to do it with some requiring grafting and others needing to pair it with another pear tree.
The easiest way I’ve found it to choose right from the start to avoid the troubles later on.
Ideally, you want to go with a dwarf version which is better suited for containers.
You also want to go with self-fertile varieties. This way, you do away with the need of having a pollinator tree to pair with it.
This saves you space and having to care for the other tree in another container.
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Blueberries
Blueberries are another great fruit for growing in containers. I absolutely love blueberries and enjoy them in almost any way possible from the frozen ones all the way to the cakes and pies.
As small as these fruits look, their roots need a lot of space. More importantly, containers let you control the soil.
Blueberries thrive on acidic soil. And, they need a medium that’s well draining.
Before growing blueberries make sure to understand the varieties you’re getting. Some are self-fertile while others are self-sterile.
This will let you know if you need to get more than one variety or not for cross pollination.
That said, I do suggest getting more than one variety either way. That’s because this produces bigger berries and a larger number of them.
Cantaloupe
Cantaloupes are very similar to melons. And, both are big and require a bit of knowledge (plus experience) to grow in containers.
For most people go with the dwarf variety. But, if you have a barrel (like a whisky barrel or something of similar size) then you can opt to go with the regular one.
Peaches
In contrast, peaches grow better in pots. This is likewise the case with nectarines.
Dwarf varieties are often what most home growers go with.
These are self-fertile. But, you’ll likely find better success with another pollinator tree around nearby.
Oranges
Oranges and other citrus fruits are best grown in warm climate regions that get sunlight all year round.
Keeping them in containers will also let you grow them in colder regions as long as you make sure to move the tree into a warmer spot before frost arrives.
Raspberries
Raspberries need pots that are 24 to 36 inches in diameter as well as depth.
You can go with a 5 gallon pot or half barrels. Both of them work really well.
These trees are self-fertile so you don’t have to do anything with them.
Pineapple
I kind of like to group pineapples with watermelons because they’re the two fruits I grew enjoying during the warm summers what were extremely refreshing.
I love it when they came right out of the fridge and were cold.
Due to its size, pineapples do best in larger containers. Interestingly, their roots are not as big as you would think. But, the container has to be big enough to hold the plant as it will grow to about 3 feet in width and up to 5 feet high.
So, the weight at the bottom is needed to keep it from toppling over.
Bananas
Bananas can get pretty big. But, you can also get many of them from a single container.
Thus, if you and your family enjoy it, you can grow them in containers.
It is a good idea to start with a large pot or bucket. I like to go with about 15 gallons.
And, be aware that the tree will grow. So every 2 or 3 years, you’ll need to repot it which is a task all in itself due to the size and the balancing act you need to do to keep all the fruits safe.
When moving go about at least 4 or even 6 inches in diameter.
It is also very important to use well-draining soil.
Cherry
I must confess, I’m not the biggest fan of cherries. I’m not particularly sure why.
And while I do love a piece or so when used as garnish on dishes or desserts, I newer really seek them out even if I do enjoy cherry flavored desserts and beverages.
That said, I’m in the minority.
And, if you enjoy these wonderful fruits, you’ll be happy to know the you can grow the tree in a container.
Cherry trees are self-fertile. They also like a lot of sun. Although some sour varieties are okay with a bit of shade.
You can opt for dwarf versions or full-blown cherry trees depending on how much space you have and the size of pot you’re willing to use.
Dwarf cherry trees don’t need as big or shallow containers. But, regular ones need something large and wide enough to accommodate its rot ball. This is often 15 gallon pot for a 5 foot tree.
Cherries need a lot of water. But, the drainage must be on point as well.
