Apartments without gardens have made it so that many of us can’t have plants at home, even though we love them! Even more so if we want to grow our own fruits, it seems like an impossible task, right? Well, there are small fruit trees that adapt perfectly to the pots we place in our homes, so that’s the end of living in a house without anything green! Plus, you won’t have to give them extra care, so we’re going to tell you which are the best fruit trees to grow at home, even if it’s in pots! We warn you they’re perfect to have on terraces, are you ready?
Why have a garden at home?
First, because it’s beautiful. Second, because for those of us who spend a lot of time at home, having a personal garden is a luxury. Being able to eat the fruits or vegetables you grow yourself, as well as herbs, we love it! Also, many of you will agree with me: homegrown fruits and vegetables taste much better! And if not, try making pomodoro pasta with your own tomatoes and your own basil and then tell us!
A benefit for health and the environment
Having plants at home improves air quality, reduces ambient temperature… And it looks great if they’re on balconies and you see them from the street. What more do you need to join this trend with us!?
Also, the scent of a flowering mandarin tree or the colour of ripe figs works like anti-stress therapy. Environmental psychologists conclude that caring for edible plants reduces cortisol levels by 25% after eight weeks of daily interaction!
Top varieties to grow at home
We’re going to leave you a list made by professional gardeners so you can take notes. These are the favourite fruit trees to have at home!
Improved Meyer lemon tree
Tolerates pots and produces sweet, tasty fruits. Requires six hours of direct sun. Its continuous fruiting ensures lemons almost all year round if watered regularly. To make it very productive, here’s the tip:
- Growing zone for containers: 4 to 11
- Height: 4 to 6 feet tall
- Sun: 6–12h, moderate watering, well-drained and acidic soil.
Captivator gooseberry
Similar to grapes, but they are “specialized” crops. It’s compact and looks wild, but produces translucent berries suitable for jams and desserts. Needs good ventilation to prevent mildew and thrives with four hours of sun.
Clementine mandarin
Our favorite! Self-fertile and with easy-to-peel skin, needs large containers and light pruning after harvest to maintain its size. Ideal for south-facing balconies.
It’s the perfect option for those with little space, and it doesn’t need grafts to bear fruit, it will give fruit if it has loamy, sandy soil (extra large!). We assure you once you try one of these, you won’t be able to eat just one… delicious!
Pink variegated lemon
Stands out for its mottled foliage and pink pulp. Sensitive to cold, it should be brought indoors in winter and appreciates slightly acidic soil.
This plant has high tolerance to air pollution, so it’s a good option for homes, but be careful because it’s more sensitive to cold than regular lemon trees!
Kumquat mandarinquat
This Indian plant produces clusters of orange-colored fruit, juicy and large like the kumquat, edible even with its peel! The best part is you won’t have to water it much and it withstands heat quite well. It self-fertilizes but needs annual pruning, be careful with that!
Brown Turkey fig
With two harvests per year, it’s perfect for beginners. Needs fertilizing four times a year and root pruning twice a year to avoid the pot getting “tunneled”.
Dwarf Owari Satsuma mandarin
This version of the mandarin is sweet, also delicious. But it doesn’t handle low temperatures, it’s small and ideal for outdoor spaces with lots of light.
Dwarf mulberry
The perfect tree for urban balconies! Compact, strong and continuously produces berries, perfect for snacking or making jam. Will you try this one?
Loquat
Yummy!!! A delicious fruit whose tree is beautiful and even though it’s a tropical fruit, it doesn’t need extra maintenance. It purifies the air but doesn’t tolerate cold temperatures!
Boreal Beauty honeyberry
A unique fruit, a mix between raspberry and blueberry, and rich in antioxidants! Requires cross-pollination but grows twice in the same container so you’ll get berries very soon!
Maintenance keys
Success with these trees comes down to three tips:
- Deep watering to encourage strong roots.
- Draining substrate: a mix of coconut fiber, perlite and compost to retain nutrients without waterlogging.
- Remove inner shoots and roots every two years to control size and stimulate production.
Take advantage now!
The end of spring and beginning of summer bring mild temperatures that favour rooting, so take advantage now to plant your trees.
Choose a container with good drainage, place a layer of gravel at the bottom and put the pot where the tree gets light. And then wait!
Maybe it’s just a trend, but there’s nothing more satisfying than eating something you’ve grown yourself with patience and care. So, will you dare to plant trees at home?