By Enmanuel Vasquez, FruitTree Direct. Updated October 2026.
Quick answer
Yes, many fruit trees grow well in pots. The best choices are naturally compact, self-fertile plants: Violette de Bordeaux fig, Chicago Hardy fig, Sunshine Blue blueberry, Pink Lemonade blueberry, Arbequina olive and Salavatski pomegranate. Give an established tree a 15 to 20 gallon pot with drainage holes, a fast-draining mix and full sun, and water more often than you would in the ground.
The 6 best fruit trees for pots
| # | Plant | Outdoor zones | Why it works in a pot | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Violette de Bordeaux fig | 6 to 10 | Naturally compact, about 6 to 10 ft, fruits young | From $59.95 |
| 2 | Chicago Hardy fig | 5 to 10 | Easy to move into a garage for winter in cold zones | From $57.95 |
| 3 | Sunshine Blue blueberry | 5 to 10 | Semi-dwarf, 3 to 4 ft, low chill; a pot makes acidic soil easy | From $44.95 |
| 4 | Pink Lemonade blueberry | 4 to 8 | Ornamental and edible, pink berries and fall color | From $59.95 |
| 5 | Arbequina olive | 8 to 10 | Tolerates dry soil, roll it into shelter in hard freezes | From $53.95 |
| 6 | Salavatski pomegranate | 6 to 10 | Shrubby, heat-loving, blooms on new growth | From $77.95 |
How to grow a fruit tree in a pot
- Pot size: start one or two sizes above the nursery pot and step up over time; an established tree needs about 15 to 20 gallons. Always use a pot with drainage holes.
- Mix: a quality, fast-draining potting mix, not garden soil. Blueberries need an acidic (ericaceous) mix.
- Sun: at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun.
- Water: pots dry out fast. In summer, check daily and water until it runs out the bottom; never let the pot sit in a full saucer. Olives and pomegranates like the top of the mix to dry between waterings; blueberries want steady moisture.
- Feeding: potted trees use up nutrients faster; feed lightly during the growing season, never heavily.
- Repotting: refresh the mix or move up a size every 2 to 3 years.
Winter care for potted fruit trees
Roots in a pot are more exposed to cold than roots in the ground. In zones colder than the plant's rating, move the pot into an unheated garage or shed once the leaves drop: a dormant tree needs no light, only a little water when the top few inches of mix are dry. Bring it back out in spring after the hardest frosts. Olives and pomegranates should be sheltered during hard freezes, but olives need a cool winter to flower well, so don't keep them warm indoors all season.
What we don't recommend for pots
Our mulberries grow into large trees (Illinois Everbearing often 25 to 35 ft, Pakistan 30 to 40 ft in warm zones), and our pears, apple, peach, plum and persimmon are sold as trees for planting in the ground. They can spend a year or two in a big pot, but they belong in the garden long term.
Frequently asked questions
Can fruit trees grow in pots?
Yes. Compact, self-fertile plants like figs, blueberries, Arbequina olive and pomegranate grow and fruit well in large containers.
What size pot does a fruit tree need?
Start one or two sizes above the nursery pot and work up to about 15 to 20 gallons for an established tree, always with drainage holes.
Can fruit trees stay in pots permanently?
Compact varieties can, if you refresh the mix or move up a pot size every 2 to 3 years and keep up with watering. Large trees like mulberries eventually need the ground.
Do potted fruit trees produce fruit?
Yes. Figs and pomegranates fruit well in pots, and blueberries often do better in a pot of acidic mix than in alkaline garden soil.
How often should I water a fruit tree in a pot?
Check daily in summer and water when the top 1 to 2 inches of mix are dry, until water runs out the bottom. In cool weather that may be once a week or less.
Bottom line
A sunny patio is enough for homegrown fruit. Pick a compact, self-fertile plant, give it a big pot with drainage and steady water, and move it into shelter in hard winters. Browse all patio and container fruit trees, and see our Plant Watering Guide for container watering in detail.