Skip to main content

Can you start a tree in a flower pot? It depends on the tree

Trees are a great addition to yards and gardens. There are a lot of reasons you may want to grow a tree, whether you want a little more shade in your yard or want to commemorate an important date with a tree planting. You can get saplings from a nursery to plant directly in the ground, but if you’re looking to start even younger, or want to remove some of the variables that come with exposing a young plant to the elements, you might consider starting your tree in a pot. If you want to know all the ins and outs of starting a tree in a pot, stick around to find out!

What types of trees can be started in pots?

Good news! Any type of tree can be started in a pot. However, there will be differences in care requirements depending on the tree, and some trees do better in pots than others. Trees that stay small can be kept in pots for longer, as can some larger trees that are very slow growing.

A bonsai tree, for example, can live its whole life in a pot, provided it is properly cared for and is in the right size pot with the correct soil to grow in. A walnut tree, on the other hand, likely won’t be able to live in a pot for more than a year, although you could stretch that if you have very large pots.Five small potted trees on a white background

What size pot is best?

The best pot is one that is just a bit bigger than the roots of the plant. This means that, when starting a plant that grows quickly such as trees, which get drastically bigger in their first year, you need to start small and repot your plant regularly. Although it may seem tempting to get a large pot that your tree could grow into to avoid later transplants, this can actually cause major problems.

The main problem caused by a pot that is too big is uneven watering. This can mean overwatering or underwatering and often leads to root rot or dehydrated plants. When you water a plant, the water soaks into the soil and the roots absorb it. However, in pots that are too big the water pools in places where the roots can’t reach. Then, either the plant is watered again before all the water is gone, causing a build up of water, or the plant is not watered again under the assumption that the roots can reach the wet soil at the bottom and sides of the pot, leading to wilted plants.

Where should you put the pot?

While the needs of trees vary depending on the species, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. While your tree is just a sprout, make sure it gets plenty of sun. Young plants need lots of energy to grow, and trees are no exception. Keep an eye out for sunburns, though, in the form of brown spots on leaves. Sunburns can be caused by getting too much direct light or sunlight that is focused through water on the leaves.

You also want to be mindful of the temperature. Young plants are especially sensitive to extreme temperatures and to sudden temperature changes. It’s often best to start your plants indoors so they can develop in relative safety, and then slowly move them outside once they’re strong enough. Be mindful of drafts caused by loose windows or heating and air vents!

Bonsai tree in purple rectangular pot blooming purple flowers
Devin H./Unsplash

How often should you repot your tree?

This depends slightly on what type of tree you have and what size pot you’re starting with. A good rule of thumb, however, is to repot your tree whenever you see a significant size change, or if you start noticing a change in plant health that could be related to pot size.

As trees age, they begin to grow more slowly and will need less repotting. In their early life, when they are growing quickly, you may need to repot your plant once every week to two weeks, depending on the type of tree. Once they begin to slow down, you may find yourself repotting once a month to two months, then less frequently.

Larger trees often struggle in containers after the first year of development. Their roots are simply not made for pots, so unless you happen to have industrial-size pots on hand, it’s time to transplant them into your yard or garden.

Now you know all you need to know about starting trees in flower pots! Start with a small pot, repot often, give them plenty of light, keep them warm, and you should be just fine. Go with confidence, knowing that you can start any tree you want in a pot! Just be sure that if you’re starting a large tree, you have somewhere to put it when it grows up.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Cayla Leonard
Cayla Leonard is a writer from North Carolina who is passionate about plants.  She enjoys reading and writing fiction and…
When should you harvest watermelons? What you need to know
Get the timing right for your watermelon harvest
Freshly cut watermelon slices

Knowing when to harvest watermelons can be tricky, especially if you’re used to growing crops like tomatoes, where there’s an obvious physical change (like turning from green to red) that indicates ripeness. Watermelons go through more subtle changes, so they can be difficult to spot if you don't know what to look for. If you're wondering if your watermelons are ready to harvest, this is the guide for you. We'll break down everything you need to know about when to harvest watermelons for the perfect summer snack!

How to tell your watermelons are ready for harvesting
Most watermelon varieties are ready to harvest roughly 1 month after the plant has bloomed, or 2 to 3 months after planting your watermelon seeds. The exact time can vary depending on the type of watermelons you're growing, what the weather has been like, and whether all the plant's needs have been met.

Read more
Are you asking, ‘Why is my tomato plant wilting?’ Here’s how to be the hero in your garden
Properly water and inspect your tomatoes to prevent (or treat) wilting
Tomatoes on a tomato plant

Tomatoes are probably the most popular veggies grown at home. Even novice growers can grow these plants with little to no experience in growing anything. Even better, many of these beginners are successful because tomatoes are so easy to care for and grow in your own home. However, one of the most common questions about growing tomatoes is, "Why is my tomato plant wilting?" Well, it could be due to a few reasons. We'll take a look at them here and give you tips on how to get your tomato plants back into tip-top shape. 

Why do people grow tomato plants?
Let's first talk about why you want to grow tomato plants. Growing tomatoes at home has a lot of benefits. First, they're healthier than store-bought tomatoes, and they taste better, too! There's no denying that tomatoes grown at home have a richer flavor. Once you eat your own tomatoes, you'll likely find the store-bought ones flat and watery by comparison.

Read more
When do banana trees produce fruit? What you need to know
Your guide to banana harvest times
Banana tree with ripe fruit

Bananas are a delicious, nutritious, and versatile fruit. If you’re a fan of bananas, you might be interested in growing your own banana tree. These tropical trees can be grown easily in greenhouses for a hearty harvest of bananas. Once you've planted your banana tree, you might be wondering when do banana plants produce fruit? If you're starting to get impatient, then we have the solution! We’ll answer all your banana questions so you know what to expect from your banana tree's harvest.

How long does it take banana trees to mature?
Banana trees are interesting, as they aren’t technically trees. They're actually herbaceous perennials, which is helpful since we no longer grow bananas from seeds. Instead, the roots of a banana tree send up a sucker, or smaller but still attached, plant. These suckers are then separated from the parent tree and planted elsewhere, to grow into a mature plant on its own.

Read more