ou don’t need a big backyard to grow your own fruit. In fact, quite a few fruit plants are surprisingly happy growing in containers.
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Growing fruit in pots is a great option if you have a small yard, patio, balcony, or even just a sunny spot beside the house.
Containers also make it easier to control the soil and growing conditions, and some plants can be moved to a more protected location when the weather turns cold.
Here are 10 of the best fruit plants to grow in containers.
1. Strawberries
Strawberries are one of the easiest fruits to grow in containers, making them a great choice for beginners.
They don’t need a particularly deep container, but they do appreciate plenty of sunlight and consistent moisture. You can grow them in traditional pots, hanging baskets, window boxes, or strawberry planters.
Choose everbearing or day-neutral varieties if you want a longer harvest season.
Strawberries are especially nice for a patio garden because the fruit is easy to pick as it ripens.
See my guide on The Best Soil for Strawberries in Pots for more detailed planting and care tips.
2. Raspberries
Raspberries can be grown in containers, although they need a little more room than strawberries.
Choose a large, sturdy container and provide some type of support for the canes. Compact or dwarf raspberry varieties are particularly well suited to container growing.
Place the pot somewhere that receives plenty of sunlight and keep the soil consistently watered during the growing season.
If you’re growing raspberries in pots, don’t overcrowd the container. Giving the plant plenty of room for its roots will result in a healthier plant and better production.
See my guide on How to Grow Raspberries in Pots for more detailed planting and care tips.
3. Blackberries
Blackberries are another fruit that can work surprisingly well in containers.
Look for compact or thornless varieties when possible. A large container and sturdy trellis or support will help keep the canes contained and make harvesting much easier.
Blackberries need plenty of sunlight to produce the best crop. Since the canes can become quite vigorous, pruning is also important when growing them in a pot.
The advantage of growing blackberries in containers is that you can keep their growth much more contained than you could in a garden bed.
See my guide on How to Grow Blackberries in Pots for more detailed planting and care tips.
4. Grapes
Grapes are a great choice if you have vertical space.
Rather than letting the vines spread across the ground, train them up a trellis, arbor, railing, or other sturdy support. A large container will give the roots room to develop while the vines grow upward.
Choose a grape variety suited to your climate and give it a sunny location.
Grapes are particularly attractive in a patio garden because the vines can provide both fruit and a beautiful vertical element.
See my guide on How to Grow Grapes in Pots for more detailed planting and care tips.
5. Blueberries
Blueberries are one of my favorite fruits for container gardening because they actually lend themselves very well to pots.
They have specific soil requirements, so growing them in a container allows you to give them the acidic growing medium they need.
Choose a blueberry variety that stays relatively compact and use a large container with good drainage.
Blueberries also make attractive patio plants, especially when the foliage changes color in the fall.
See my guide on How to Grow Blueberries in Pots for more detailed planting and care tips.
6. Figs
Figs can be grown in containers, and keeping them in a pot can actually help keep the plant at a manageable size.
Choose a large, heavy container because mature fig trees can become top-heavy. Figs need plenty of sun and should be protected from extremely cold temperatures.
One benefit of container-grown figs is that gardeners in colder climates can move the container to a protected location during winter if necessary.
Look for compact or naturally smaller varieties when choosing a fig for container growing.
7. Dwarf Citrus Trees
If you live in a warm climate, dwarf citrus trees can be wonderful container plants.
Lemons, limes, oranges, kumquats, and other citrus can be grown in large pots as long as they receive plenty of sunlight.
In colder climates, container-grown citrus can be moved indoors or into a protected space during the winter.
A sunny patio is an ideal location during the warmer months, and the fragrant blossoms are an added bonus.
8. Dwarf Cherries
Some dwarf cherry varieties can be grown successfully in containers, particularly when you choose a variety specifically suited to smaller spaces.
You’ll need a large, sturdy pot, good drainage, and plenty of sunlight.
Before choosing a cherry tree, check whether the variety requires another tree for pollination. Some varieties are self-fertile while others produce better crops with a compatible pollinator nearby.
A dwarf cherry tree can also be a beautiful addition to a patio or small garden.
9. Currants
Currants are a less common choice for container gardening, but they’re worth considering if you want to grow something a little different.
They grow as compact shrubs and can produce clusters of small, flavorful berries.
Choose a large container and place the plant where it will receive appropriate sunlight for your climate. Regular watering is particularly important while the plant is establishing itself and producing fruit.
Currants can be a great option for gardeners who want something beyond the usual strawberries and blueberries.
10. Gooseberries
Gooseberries are another compact fruiting shrub that can work well in a large container.
They don’t require the same amount of space as a full-size fruit tree, and growing them in a pot makes it easier to control their size.
Look for compact varieties and give them a container with good drainage. Depending on your climate, they may appreciate some protection from intense afternoon heat.
The tart berries are wonderful for pies, jams, sauces, and desserts.
Tips for Growing Fruit in Containers
Growing fruit in pots isn’t difficult, but fruiting plants have a few requirements that are especially important.
Choose a Large Enough Container
Fruit plants need room for their roots. Small pots may be fine for strawberries, but larger berries, vines, and fruit trees will need substantially larger containers.
When in doubt, choose a larger pot rather than trying to squeeze a vigorous plant into a small one.
Make Sure the Container Drains Well
Good drainage is essential. Make sure your container has drainage holes and use a quality potting mix designed for container growing.
Fruit plants don’t like sitting in soggy soil.
Give Them Plenty of Sun
Most fruiting plants need several hours of sunlight each day to produce a good crop.
A sunny patio, deck, balcony, or south-facing area can be an excellent place for a container fruit garden.
Don’t Forget to Water
Containers dry out much faster than garden soil, particularly during hot summer weather.
Check your plants regularly and water when the soil needs it. Large containers generally hold moisture longer than small ones.
Feed Your Plants
Fruit plants growing in containers have limited access to nutrients, so they may need regular feeding during the growing season.
Use a fertilizer appropriate for the particular type of fruit you’re growing and follow the directions on the package.
Choose the Right Variety
This is probably the most important tip of all.
When shopping for fruit plants, look for terms such as dwarf, compact, patio, container-friendly, or self-fertile. Not every variety of a particular fruit is equally suited to growing in a pot.
Also check your growing zone before purchasing a perennial fruit plant.
One of the best things about growing fruit in containers is that you don’t need a huge garden to get started.
A few pots of strawberries can fit almost anywhere. Add a blueberry bush, a raspberry or blackberry plant, and perhaps a grapevine growing up a trellis, and you’ve already created a surprisingly productive little fruit garden.
And if you have the space for a larger container, a dwarf fig, cherry, or citrus tree can become both a productive plant and a beautiful addition to your patio.
You really can grow a lot of your own fruit in a small space.
Follow my container gardening for beginners board on Pinterest.