Dwarf fruit trees

The Benefits of Dwarf Fruit Trees

In addition to their compact size, ease of cultivation and quick fruiting, these fruit trees have the advantage of being decorative. Their small stature also allows them to:

• be treated easily in case of disease or pest infestation,
• be protected just as effortlessly, with a winter fleece when late frost occurs or with a bird netting when fruit theft becomes too regular,
• be moved indoors during winter (for citrus trees) or during extreme cold spells for the hardier varieties,
• take your miniature orchard with you if you relocate—a notable advantage when living in rented accommodation!

Choosing Your Dwarf Fruit Tree: The Different Varieties

Every year, new cultivars expand the range of dwarf fruit trees. This selection now offers a lovely diversity: dwarf apple tree, dwarf fig tree, pear tree, cherry tree, peach tree, fig tree… the most beloved fruits can now be grown in pots!

Among the important selection criteria for a fruit tree is the self-fertile character of the variety. Indeed, if you choose a non self-fertile variety, you’ll need to pair it with another compatible tree to ensure pollination.

From our range of dwarf fruit trees, we particularly love these self-fertile varieties:

Dwarf Cherry Tree Cherry Boop

Self-fertile and compact, this Canadian cultivar quickly produces delicious, sweet fruits that can remain on the tree for up to 2 weeks. Very hardy, it withstands temperatures down to -25°C.

• Flowering time April, May
• Height at maturity 2 m

See the product sheet

Dwarf Apple Tree Garden Sun Red - Malus domestica

Productive, this miniature apple tree will give you large, sweet and crisp red fruits in October. Self-fertile, it can be planted alone.

• Flowering time May
• Height at maturity 1,50 m

See the product sheet

Prunus armeniaca Garden Aprigold - Apricot Tree

This small apricot tree produces large yellow-orange fruits in July. It's a self-fertile variety.

• Flowering time April, May
• Height at maturity 1 m

See the product sheet

Ficus carica Ice Crystal

Self-fertile and biferous, this dwarf fig tree will charm you with its decorative foliage and compact size, perfectly suited for container growing.

• Flowering time August
• Height at maturity 2 m

See the product sheet

Prunus domestica Goldust - Common plum

This mini plum tree quickly produces large, fragrant and sweet yellow fruits harvested in August. It's an ideal self-fertile variety for small gardens or balconies.

• Flowering time May
• Height at maturity 1,50 m

See the product sheet

Where and how to plant?

Whether planted in the ground or in pots, fruit trees thrive in sunny spots, preferably sheltered from cold winds.

Planting in the ground:

In the garden, dwarf fruit trees are planted in the same way as standard fruit trees. As these trees have a more compact growth habit, planting distances can be significantly reduced, with trees spaced every 1.5 metres.

For more detailed guidance, check out our advice sheet: “Planting fruit trees”

Planting in pots:

These fruit trees should be planted in large containers, 40 to 50 cm in diameter (minimum 25 litres). Avoid plastic pots, which heat up quickly in summer, and opt instead for fibre pots or traditional terracotta. Smart fabric grow bags, like smart pots, also yield excellent results. Elegant citrus crates or orangerie planters are ideal but often prohibitively expensive.

Step-by-step planting guide:

• First, ensure your pot has adequate drainage holes at the bottom. If not, drill them.
• Improve drainage by placing a layer of clay pebbles or gravel at the base.
• Fill the pot with high-quality potting compost or, for well-equipped gardeners, a mix of 50% standard compost, 30% well-rotted manure, and 10% perlite to enhance drainage.

If your tree is bare-rooted:

• Start by “dressing the roots.” This involves trimming any damaged or excessively long roots with a clean secateurs to ensure clean cuts.
• Next, coat the roots in a slurry (pralin) made from one-third compost (or cow manure—though this can be tricky to source!) and clay soil mixed with rainwater until it forms a thick mud that clings to the roots. Ready-to-mix root dip is also commercially available—simply add water.

Then, in all cases:

• Position your tree carefully, ensuring the graft union remains above soil level.
• Add more compost to ensure the rootball is fully in contact with the substrate.
• Water thoroughly after planting.
• Mulch with your preferred material, or plant a few strawberry plants or attractive herbs like golden oregano around the base.

Pruning dwarf fruit trees

Dwarf fruit trees are pruned just like other fruit trees. However, as their growth is slower, this operation is less frequent. Moreover, they can easily make do with a single thinning pruning, which is done somewhat instinctively and doesn’t require great expertise.

Although they produce slightly less than standard fruit trees, these miniature trees may be overloaded with fruit in their early years. To prevent the branches from bearing excessive weight—which could break them—and to ensure good-sized fruit, don’t hesitate to remove some early on… It’s often a heartbreaking task, but a necessary one!

Dwarf Fruit Tree Care

The regular care of potted fruit trees involves ensuring the soil does not dry out, without watering too frequently. If your pot has a saucer, never allow water to stagnate in it to prevent root asphyxiation.

Once a year, repot your fruit tree into a slightly larger container and take the opportunity to refresh the compost. If this isn’t possible, carry out top-dressing instead.

What is top-dressing? This technique involves carefully removing 4 to 5 centimetres of the surface substrate and replacing it with a mix of compost and well-rotted manure. This process fertilises the soil easily without needing to replace the entire substrate.

In the garden, follow the same method by spreading a bucket of well-decomposed compost at the base of your dwarf fruit tree each autumn or spring.

An orchard on the balcony: what to pair with a small fruit tree

Dwarf fruit trees in pots can be accompanied by a few strawberry plants. On a balcony or terrace, to create a “mini orchard”, you can also plant many small red fruits in large pots or rectangular planters: raspberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, as well as less common species like goji or Tayberry. If you have a large pergola, consider the Kiwaï, an utterly charming mini-kiwi!