5 Fruit Trees To Grow Indoors

Who doesn’t want to walk into an apartment with the aroma of oranges, lemons, and peaches? Growing fruit indoors isn’t impossible, but like most gardening pursuits, it requires patience.

One of the biggest challenges, says Angie Thomas, a horticulture consultant with Yates, is that potted plants dry out much faster than when grown in the ground so a little more TLC than usual is needed. “Check moisture levels regularly by gently digging around in the top few centimetres with your finger,” she says. “Applying a layer of mulch, like bark chips, over the top of the potting mix can help conserve moisture.”

1. Fig

Figs, in particular the ficas carica, Black Genoa or Brown Turkey varieties are especially suited to pots, says Emma Rice, director Embrace Garden Designs. “Keep your fig in a well-lit room. They have a magnificent shaped leaf and the branches can be pruned into whatever shape you like.” Figs are happiest in a good potting mix with added cow manure (if you can bear the smell!). The mix needs to be able to hold water but have good drainage. Keep the tub mulched to help retain water and to keep the roots cooler in the summer.

It starts with good potting mix. Picture: Getty

2. Olive

“Olive trees need regular watering and feeding in the warmer months, and in winter, only water when the top inch of soil if dry,” says Rice. “Don’t fret if older leaves drop in the spring, this is normal,” says Rice, who recommends small cultivar, olea arbequina. Watch out for scale insect – shell-like bumps on stems and the underside of leaves – and treat with a non-toxic horticultural oil.

A pretty plant you can harvest food from? The olive tree is a winner! Picture: Erinna Giblin

3. Mulberry

Mulberry trees prefer warmth and lots of indirect light so consider its placement. Rice recommends selecting a dwarf mulberry variety such as Red Shahtoot, and house in a pot with good drainage a third of the trees height. “Use a good compost and potting mix, and a slow release fertilizer every six months,” she recommends. “Mildew, leaf spot, and root rot can be a problem with mulberries, so ensure proper drainage and don’t over water.”

Overwatering your plant can be as harmful as underwatering. Picture: Getty

4. Stone fruit

Don’t shy away from dwarf stone fruit trees says Thomas, even balcony and veranda gardeners can grow their very own fruit. “[Dwarf trees] are often grated onto a special root system that restricts their growth, but they still produce regular sized fruit,” she says. Nectarine and peach dwarf trees only grow 1 – 2m tall and for sweetness and aroma, opt for her favourites peach, nectarine or plum.

Imagine growing stone fruit – indoors! Picture: LUM3N/Unsplash

5. Citrus

Dwarf citrus varieties like Lemonade Lemon and Emperor Mandarin will grow happily in a pot, the challenge is the need for 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. Find the warmest, brightest spot in your home, and where possible, move it outside in summer. Water regularly and feed every three weeks with a high-nitrogen fertilizer made for citrus.

“Citrus are vulnerable to scale, spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids,” says Rice. “Use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil to combat pests as needed.”

Dwarf citrus varieties will grow happily in a pot Picture: Erinna Giblin

How to care for indoor fruit trees:

1. Always use premium grade potting mix
2. Use a medium to large pot with good drainage holes
3. Feed and water often
4. Repot every couple of years to refresh the potting mix
5. Keep citrus in a bright, sunny spot and take out outside in the summer

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