Best Small Trees For Pots

Whether you’ve got a courtyard, balcony, veranda or want a creative garden feature, sometimes what we really need is a stunning tree in an equally beautiful pot.

trees for pots

In this blog post we will show you our favourite trees to grow in pots with some inspiring photos to match.

Japanese maples

One of the most widely planted trees for pots, the compact size and slower growth rate of Japanese maples make them a great option for pots.

Balance the spreading form of weeping maples with a wide bowl for a harmonized effect. Upright forms suit almost any finish or shape of pot, making them an easy option to style.

Japanese maple Trees for Pots

For best results keep them out of the harshest sun and drying winds.

japanese maples

Citrus

These lush evergreens will offer year round colour, have sweetly scented flowers and best of all delicious fruit!

Citrus look and grow the best when given a nice big pot and lots of fertilizer. Grow in full sun for lush foliage and bumper production.

Cumquats, Tahitian limes, Meyer lemons and imperial mandarins are our favourite choices!

citrus Trees for Pots

Camellias

These delightful small trees pack a colourful punch in the garden when everything else can be looking a little drab.

Best grown with regular moisture and fertilising with protection from the harshest sun.

camellia best small Trees for Pots

Corymbia Baby Orange:

This dwarf growing version of an iconic Australian Gum makes an unexpectedly brilliant specimen in large pots. The large gum leaves make an excellent backdrop for neon orange flowers in Spring/Summer which are followed by over sized gum nuts.

Grow in full sun for best results. Plant in a pot with some texture to its finish to enhance their rugged good looks.

corymbia baby orange.JPG

Michelia White Caviar:

This larger growing Michelia will bring a lot of lush to a large pot. Even better in Spring/Summer they are covered head to toe with fragrant cream and pink flowers.

Grow in full sun to part shade with regular moisture and fertilizer. Looks quaint in an antique finish pots and sleek in monochrome.

Michelia White Caviar The Tree Shop

Nepalese Blue Bamboo:

Japanese, tropical and modern gardens all look sleeker with the addition of this stunning bamboo. Powder blue culms and soft weeping foliage, like all bamboos it needs a strong pot to call home.

Protect from the hottest sun and drying winds. Requires regular moisture. Looks good in pretty much any pot you put it in.

Nepalese Blue Bamboo

Crepe Myrtles:

That’s right, Melbourne’s favourite trees can go in a pot! Opt for smaller growing varieties like Tonto or Zuni for an easy option for a sunny spot!

Trees with low branches are great for creating a screen and those with more of a trunk can be clipped to create a compact shape. Opt for pots in block colours to really set off the flowers in summer.

tonto crepe myrtle in a pot

Olives:

Gardeners have been keeping Olive trees in pots forever, and there is a good reason why! These elegant trees thrive with added drainage of a pot and make a handsome specimen for a sunny location.

Olives respond well to being prune so are easy to make work for your space. They look just as smart in traditional terracotta pots as sleek modern numbers.

olive tree in pot

Cercis Varieties

That’s right, these dreamy plants can be an absolute winner in a large pot in a protected position!

Set the bold foliage and flowers off against monochrome coloured pots for a modern and chic look. Make sure you keep the water up to them over summer to avoid scorch.

forest pansy in a pot

Wollemi Pine

This prehistoric giant might seem like an odd choice for a pot specimen, but it’s slow growth rate allows you to enjoy their magic for years and years!

Keep out of the harshest sun and provide regular moisture for optimum results. The beautiful structure looks equally good in pots with an earthy finish as a sleek matte black container.

wollemii pine

The pot

If you’re wanting to grow anything in a pot, you need to choose one that is the appropriate size for your chosen plant.

trees for pot

Pots 40cm in diameter and under are suited to small shrubs or young plants you intend to pot up later down the track. For a medium sized shrub, something around the 50cm diameter will do the trick. To make a statement with a tree, aim for a pot 60cm or wider. Ultimately the bigger the pot, the larger your tree will grow.

Trees for Pots

The is also maintenance when it comes to pot plants. Regular watering and fertilizing is a must, as the plant has limited resources to draw on, and you will want to manage the size of the plant so it doesn’t out grow its pot too quickly. Then, every 5 years or so, you should pull the plant out of its pot and give the roots and canopy a good prune, before replanting with fresh potting mix. This will allow you to keep a plant potted indefinitely.

Whatever your space, we have a tree and pot combo to suit! We have a beautiful range of pots suitable for being home to a stunning feature tree. If you have a brilliant idea or don’t know where to start give us a call at 03 9819 9966 or drop us an email and we can help you find the right green solution for your garden!