The best trees for pots, patios and balconies

Even in small spaces, trees can have a big impact: they provide shade, add structure to balconies, and shape the atmosphere of a place. Especially on terraces, courtyards, or city balconies, trees create a touch of peace and nature amidst everyday life.

Many tree species can also be kept well in pots - provided that the location, water supply and pot size are suitable for the needs of the tree.
Trees in pots grow under different conditions than those in the garden: the soil volume is limited, the soil dries out faster, and the roots are much more exposed to heat and frost.

In this article we will show you which trees are particularly suitable for pots, balconies and terraces, and what you should pay attention to regarding care and watering.

Key facts at a glance

• Many smaller tree species are well suited for containers and pots.
• Potted trees dry out significantly faster than trees in the garden.
• Sufficiently large pots and loose soil are particularly important.
• Waterlogging should be avoided at all costs.
• Even in winter, potted trees need protection and water.
• Humus-rich soil helps to retain moisture for longer.

What trees in pots need

A tree in a pot lives in a significantly smaller space than a tree in the garden. Its roots cannot grow deep into the soil and are entirely dependent on what is available in the pot: water, nutrients, oxygen, and space. As a result, potted trees are more sensitive to:

• Dryness
• waterlogging
• intense heat
• Frost
• nutrient-poor soil

Therefore, the following are important:

• sufficiently large buckets
• good drainage
• loose soil
• regular watering
• Protection from extreme heat and frost

Important note: Dark pots can heat up considerably in summer. The soil then dries out much faster than in garden soil. And now, here are the best trees for containers, patios, and balconies:

Southern trees for sunny terraces

Olive tree (Olea europaea)

Growth: compact and slow
Location: sunny and warm
Winter hardiness: conditionally winter hardy

The olive tree is one of the most popular potted trees. Its silvery-green leaves and gnarled growth habit make it particularly well-suited to sunny patios and balconies.
Olive trees tolerate heat well, but are sensitive to permanently dry soil when grown in containers. In cold locations, they usually require additional protection during the winter.

You can find more information in the casting glossary: Watering olive tree.

Fig (Ficus carica)

Growth: broad and loose
Location: sunny
Winter hardiness: relatively frost-hardy, depending on the variety.

Figs bring a Mediterranean flair and large, decorative leaves to balconies and patios. Many varieties also grow surprisingly well in containers. Furthermore, figs can even bear fruit if given enough sun. Because their large leaves transpire a lot of water, figs need regular watering during the summer.

You can find more information in the casting glossary: fig tree Giessen.

Hemp palm (Trachycarpus fortunei)

Growth habit: upright and exotic
Location: sunny to partially shaded
Winter hardiness: relatively winter hardy

The hemp palm is one of the hardiest palms for Central European locations. Its large fronds bring structure and a distinctive green color to terraces, courtyards, or sheltered balconies.
Consistent watering is important in containers, as pots can heat up considerably in summer. Humus-rich soil helps retain moisture for longer.
Even in winter, the root area should be protected from severe frost.

You can find more information in the casting glossary: Watering the hemp palm

Hardy trees for balconies and terraces

Serviceberry (Amelanchier)

Growth: loose and multi-stemmed
Location: sunny to partially shaded
Winter hardiness: very hardy

The serviceberry is ideally suited for smaller terraces or larger balconies.
It changes beautifully throughout the year:

• white flowers in spring
• small fruits in summer
• orange-red autumn leaves

Furthermore, it is considered ecologically valuable for insects and birds.

You can find more information in the casting glossary: Watering the serviceberry

Japanese maple (Acer palmatum)

Growth: fine and elegant
Location: partial shade to full sun
Winter hardiness: very hardy

Japanese maples are among the most beautiful potted trees for smaller spaces. They are especially popular because of:

• their delicate leaves
• the elegant growth form
• the intense autumn colors

A sheltered location away from intense midday heat is important. Japanese maples do not tolerate waterlogging well.

You can find more information in the casting glossary: Watering Japanese maple

Flowering trees for containers and smaller terraces

Magnolia (Magnolia)

Growth: depending on the variety, compact to spreading
Location: sunny to partially shaded
Winter hardiness: usually very hardy

Magnolias are among the most impressive flowering trees for patios and gardens. Smaller varieties are particularly suitable for larger containers.
In spring they develop large white, pink or purple flowers and bring color to the outdoor area early in the year.
Magnolias prefer consistently moist, humus-rich soil and are sensitive to prolonged drought.

You can find more information in the casting glossary: Watering magnolia

Crabapple (Malus)

Growth: compact and loose
Location: sunny
Winter hardiness: very hardy

Small ornamental apple trees are well-suited for larger pots or smaller patios. They combine blossom, fruit, and autumn foliage, and change beautifully throughout the seasons.
Furthermore, many ornamental apple varieties are considered valuable for insects and birds.

You can find more information in the casting glossary: Watering crabapple trees

Why potted trees dry out faster

Trees in the garden benefit from deep soil layers that can store water. The living conditions for trees in containers are different:

• little volume of earth
• Sun from all sides
• Wind on balcony or terrace
• heated pots

This causes the soil to dry out much faster. Especially on hot summer days, the soil can heat up considerably. This puts additional strain on the roots. Therefore, young or newly planted potted trees in particular need regular inspection.

Why drainage is so important

Containers should always have a drainage hole. If excess water cannot drain away, waterlogging occurs. This reduces the amount of oxygen reaching the roots and increases the risk of root rot. It is helpful to:

• a drainage layer made of expanded clay or gravel
• loose soil
• humus-rich substrates

This keeps the soil more airy and allows water to drain away better.

Why humus-rich soil is particularly important in pots

There is very little soil available in a pot. Therefore, the substrate loses structure and nutrients more quickly over time. Humus-rich soil helps with this:

• to store water for longer
• To keep nutrients available
• to promote soil life
• to loosen the soil

Worm compost This can help to improve depleted potting soil in the long term. Especially during the summer months, potted plants often benefit from humus-rich soil because it retains moisture better. 

Potted trees in winter

Even hardy trees need some protection when grown in pots. Roots are much better protected from frost in garden soil than in containers. Helpful measures include:

• protected locations (for example, also through the use of fleece) 
• Mulch on the Earth's surface

Important: Even in winter, potted trees can dry out. Evergreen plants continue to transpire water and therefore need occasional watering on frost-free days.

Care of potted trees

To ensure that potted trees remain healthy in the long term, some basic principles are particularly important:

• Use sufficiently large pots
• Avoid waterlogging
• water regularly
• protect the earth from drying out
• Repot if necessary
• use humus-rich soil

Especially in summer, slow and penetrating pouring This allows the earth to absorb water better.

Here are the other entries for the best trees:

The best trees for small gardens

The best native trees for ecologically valuable gardens

The best edible trees for the garden: fruit, nuts & morefrom our own harvest

The best trees with beautiful blossoms

The best trees for heat and drought: climate-resilient species for the garden

The best trees for beautiful autumn foliage