Dwarf fruit trees: discover the varieties that you can grow in pots and indoors

Dwarf / miniature fruit plants are a great compromise for anyone with little space in the garden, and even more so for those who want to grow them on balconies or indoors. Given that they do not grow to very a very large size, they can also be grown in pots, although obviously it will be necessary to care for them more closely than those placed in the soil outdoors.

There are dwarf varieties of most fruit trees, and for each, many species that yield different fruits in multiple colors, shapes and flavors. Generally, however, these are plants that need full sun exposure, just like their species of origin. They also have a slower development rate than the original plants that are typically planted in the ground outdoors.

Aesthetically they are more compact, with shorter trunks, reduced foliage and with shorter branches: this makes them extremely decorative, like medium-large shrubs, especially when they are flowering. The most important factor, however, is that they are self-pollinating plants, which allows them to give us a fantastic fruit production yield.

Apricot

Dwarf apricot trees (Prunus Armeniaca) generally grow to a height of one and a half meters on average, although some may reach 2 or 3 meters (but very rarely). These are totally or partially self-pollinating species.

Among the varieties often cited as the most loved by those with a green thumb are Moorpark and Garden Aprigold.

Peach

With a maximum height of two or three meters, dwarf peach trees are perfect to manage without having to climb ladders for any pruning and harvesting chores. Also, in this tree family, there are different varieties to choose from, and, as is true for plants in general, it is preferable to orient one's choice towards those specimens readily available in nurseries (or in any case not very far) which are near your home. In this way, you have greater chances of finding those species suitable to withstand the conditions of the area in which you live.

Among the best known varieties are El Dorado, Crimson, O’Henry, Golden Gem, Redhaven, Southern Rose, and more.

Cherry

Porthos, Garden Bing, Romeo, Juliet, Crimson Passion, Valentine or Cupid are the names of some of the favorite dwarf cherry trees in various parts of the world. They are amongst the most popular of the dwarf trees, since they allow you to enjoy not only the fruits, but also the splendid flowers that distinguish cherry trees in early spring - and without having to make room for a very large tree (which the original species tends to be).

Fig

While fig trees aren't all that large compared to many others, their dwarf version is certainly much more manageable. Some varieties mentioned online are Brown Turkey (damired for its ability to adapt to many different climates); Celeste (whose fruits have a rind coloured somewhere between purple and bronze and has a very light pink pulp) and; Figality (which produces purple fruit from July to October).

Have you ever grown dwarf fruit trees before?