Not everybody has acreage, or even a big yard.
A great way to get around a lack of space is finding smaller fruit trees to fit in.
Enter dwarf or mini fruit trees, that grow well in pots or containers.
Lets take a look at some popular and also lesser known options below.
Planting Fruit Trees In Pots – Our Favorite Options
1. Lemons
Lemon trees bring vibrant color and a fresh scent to any space, making them a popular choice for container gardening.
Their small size and ability to thrive indoors during winter months make them perfect for pots.
With proper care, you can enjoy homegrown lemons even in small spaces.
USDA Growing Zone: 8-11
Average Mature Size: 4-6 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Recommended Species: Dwarf Improved Meyer Lemon
Great Pot Size: 10-15 gallons
Meyer Lemon Tree, 1-2 ft.
- Tangy, sweet Meyer Lemons.
- Thin-skinned, bursting with flavor.
- Ideal for fresh juices and zest.
2. Lime
Lime trees are perfect for adding a zesty touch to your container garden, thriving in warm, sunny spots.
Their compact size and fragrant blossoms make them a great choice for pots, allowing you to enjoy fresh limes even in limited space.
They are particularly well-suited to indoor growing during colder months.
USDA Growing Zone: 9-11
Average Mature Size: 4-6 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Recommended Species: Dwarf Key Lime
Great Pot Size: 10-15 gallons
Key Lime Tree, 2-3ft.
- Tangy Key Lime tree with aromatic limes.
- Thrives in warm climates, loves full sun.
- Lush, glossy foliage.
3. Orange
Sweet and fragrant, orange trees are a delightful addition to any container garden, thriving in sunny locations.
Their compact size makes them ideal for pots, allowing easy mobility to protect them from cooler weather.
Enjoy fresh oranges from your patio or balcony with minimal effort.
USDA Growing Zone: 9-11
Average Mature Size: 6-10 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Recommended Species: Dwarf Valencia Orange, Cara Cara
Great Pot Size: 15-20 gallons
Dwarf Cara Cara Navel Orange - 3 Feet Tall
- Sparkling pink flesh with pink juice
- Sweet, berry-like flavor
- Low acid and seedless
4. Fig Trees
Versatile and easy to grow, fig trees are perfect for container gardening, especially in smaller spaces.
Their broad leaves provide a lush, tropical feel, while the fruit adds a touch of sweetness to your harvest.
With regular care, fig trees can yield a bountiful crop even in a compact setting.
USDA Growing Zone: 7-10
Average Mature Size: 6-8 feet
Growth Rate: Fast
Recommended Species: Dwarf Little Miss Figgy, Celeste Fig
Great Pot Size: 15-20 gallons
Celeste Fig Tree Live Plant, 1 Gallon
- Self-pollinating, yearly fruit
- Compact, 7-10ft, bright green leaves
- Full sun, sweet "sugar figs"
5. Dwarf Apple Trees
Compact and productive, dwarf apple trees are a fantastic choice for growing in pots.
They bring the beauty of blossoms in spring and a rewarding harvest in fall.
Perfect for small spaces, these trees still produce full-sized apples, making them an excellent addition to any patio or balcony.
USDA Growing Zone: 4-8
Average Mature Size: 6-10 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Recommended Species: Dwarf Honeycrisp, Dwarf Yellow Delicious
Great Pot Size: 15-20 gallons
Dwarf Yellow Delicious Apple Trees, 4-5 ft.
- Produces juicy, sweet, crisp apples
- Great for cooking, baking, fresh eating
- Perfect for gardeners of all levels
6. Dwarf Peach Trees
Dwarf peach trees bring the joy of fresh, juicy peaches to even the smallest garden spaces.
Their stunning spring blossoms and compact size make them ideal for container gardening.
With the right care, these trees can produce an abundance of sweet fruit, perfect for enjoying straight from the tree.
USDA Growing Zone: 5-8
Average Mature Size: 4-6 feet
Growth Rate: Fast
Recommended Species: Dwarf Bonanza
Great Pot Size: 10-15 gallons
Bonanza Patio Peach Tree, 1-2 ft.
- Compact size for patios and balconies
- Produces large, sweet, freestone peaches
- Fragrant pink blooms, ornamental appeal
7. Dwarf Cherry Trees
Ideal for container gardening, dwarf cherry trees bring vibrant spring blooms followed by a bountiful harvest of sweet cherries.
Their compact size allows them to thrive in pots, making them a perfect choice for patios or balconies.
With proper care, you can enjoy fresh cherries right from your own tree.
USDA Growing Zone: 4-7
Average Mature Size: 5-8 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Recommended Species: Dwarf Stella, Dwarf North Star
Great Pot Size: 10-15 gallons
Dwarf North Star Cherry - 4-5 ft.
- Cold hardy and disease resistant
- Dwarf size, perfect for any space
- Consistent, abundant fruiting annually
8. Dwarf Plum Trees
Perfect for small spaces, dwarf plum trees thrive in containers, providing beautiful spring blooms and a summer harvest of sweet, juicy plums.
Their compact nature makes them easy to manage in pots, ensuring you can enjoy fresh plums even in a limited area.
With regular care, these trees yield a satisfying crop.
USDA Growing Zone: 5-9
Average Mature Size: 5-7 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Recommended Variety: Dwarf Santa Rosa
Great Pot Size: 10-15 gallons
9. Dwarf Apricot Trees
Bursting with flavor, dwarf apricot trees are a fantastic choice for container gardening, offering vibrant spring blossoms and delicious fruit in the summer.
Their small size allows them to thrive in pots, making them perfect for patios or balconies.
With proper care, these trees can produce a generous and rewarding harvest.
USDA Growing Zone: 5-8
Average Mature Size: 5-8 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Recommended Variety: Dwarf Moorpark
Great Pot Size: 10-15 gallons
10. Dwarf Nectarine Trees
Compact and fruitful, dwarf nectarine trees are ideal for container gardening, providing a beautiful display of spring blossoms followed by sweet, juicy fruit in the summer.
Their small stature makes them easy to manage in pots, allowing you to enjoy fresh nectarines even in tight spaces. Consistent care will reward you with a bountiful harvest.
USDA Growing Zone: 5-9
Average Mature Size: 4-6 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Recommended Variety: Dwarf Golden Gem, Dwarf Red Haven
Great Pot Size: 10-15 gallons
Red Haven Dwarf Peach Tree - Bare Root
- Juicy, firm, sweet freestone fruit
- Reliable heavy producer
- Cold-hardy with vibrant seasonal color
11. Dwarf Pear Trees
Graceful and productive, dwarf pear trees are well-suited for container gardening, offering elegant spring blooms and crisp, sweet fruit in the fall.
Their compact size ensures they thrive in pots, making them a perfect addition to small gardens or patios. With regular care, these trees can produce a satisfying yield.
USDA Growing Zone: 4-8
Average Mature Size: 8-10 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Recommended Variety: Dwarf Bartlett
Great Pot Size: 15-20 gallons
12. Pomegranate Trees
Vibrant and exotic, pomegranate trees bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your container garden, producing beautiful red flowers followed by juicy, tangy fruit.
Their adaptability to pots makes them a great choice for smaller spaces, allowing you to enjoy homegrown pomegranates even on a patio.
With the right conditions, these trees can yield a plentiful harvest.
USDA Growing Zone: 7-11
Average Mature Size: 6-10 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Recommended Variety: Dwarf Wonderful, Dwarf ‘Nana’
Great Pot Size: 15-20 gallons
'Nana' Dwarf Pomegranate Tree
- Twisted, ancient-looking gnarled trunk
- Bright orange-red flowers, long bloom
- Edible, ornamental 2" fruits
13. Olive Trees
Elegant and hardy, olive trees thrive in containers, adding a Mediterranean touch to any garden or patio.
Their silvery foliage and ability to produce olives in small spaces make them a popular choice for potted gardening.
With proper care, these trees can flourish, providing both beauty and a bountiful harvest.
USDA Growing Zone: 8-11
Average Mature Size: 4-6 feet
Growth Rate: Slow
Recommended Variety: Arbequina
Great Pot Size: 15-20 gallons
Arbequina Olive Tree, 2-3 ft
- Versatile for ground or container growth
- High-quality fruit with prolific harvest
- Fragrant, early-flowering with exotic foliage
14. Dwarf Mulberry Trees
Dwarf mulberry trees are perfect for container gardening, offering a compact size and a generous yield of sweet, juicy berries.
These hardy trees thrive in pots, making them ideal for small spaces like patios or balconies.
With minimal care, you can enjoy fresh mulberries right from your own tree.
USDA Growing Zone: 5-9
Average Mature Size: 6-8 feet
Growth Rate: Fast
Recommended Variety: Dwarf Everbearing
Great Pot Size: 10-15 gallons
Dwarf Everbearing Black Mulberry Tree
- Thrives in both patio and garden
- Tolerant of various soil types
- Abundant fruit harvest
15. Dwarf Banana Trees
Tropical and striking, dwarf banana trees bring a lush, exotic vibe to container gardens, thriving even in limited spaces.
Their compact size makes them ideal for pots, and with the right care, they can produce sweet, delicious bananas.
Perfect for adding a touch of the tropics to your patio or balcony.
USDA Growing Zone: 9-11
Average Mature Size: 4-6 feet
Growth Rate: Fast
Recommended Variety: Dwarf Cavendish
Great Pot Size: 15-20 gallons
Dwarf Cavendish Banana Plant
- Compact size for small spaces
- Lush, vibrant green foliage
- Versatile indoor and outdoor adaptability
16. Dwarf Avocado Trees
Rich in flavor and highly rewarding, dwarf avocado trees are a fantastic choice for container gardening, bringing a taste of the tropics to your patio or balcony.
Their smaller size allows them to thrive in pots, and with the right conditions, they can produce creamy, delicious avocados right at home.
USDA Growing Zone: 9-11
Average Mature Size: 5-7 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Recommended Variety: Wurtz (Little Cado)
Great Pot Size: 15-20 gallons
Little Cado Dwarf Avocado - Grafted & 1 ft Tall
- Compact size ideal for containers
- Evergreen, aromatic green leaves
- Self-fertile with summer-fall harvest
Design Ideas For Your Potted Dwarf Fruit Trees
Want More?
By now you should have a great idea as to the perfect fruit trees in pots that suit your garden and growing zone.
Whether it is patio gardening or you have a small backyard, there is a mini or dwarf sized fruit tree for your needs.
If you are interested in indoor fruit trees or the fastest bearing fruit trees we have covered those in great detail.
