Can I grow an almond tree in a pot?
Written by
Michael Sullivan
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.You can grow almond trees in pots, and the best bet is to use dwarf varieties of almonds like the Garden Prince. These smaller trees are suited for growing in containers, and they will produce edible nuts as well, even in a limited space. I currently have a Garden Prince in a 20-gallon pot that I have cared for over the last six years, and it has produced 15 pounds of almonds each year.
Pot Selection
- Use 15-20-gallon pots with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
- Choose lightweight materials like fiberglass for easier mobility.
- Ensure the pot width exceeds root spread by 4-6 inches.
Soil Mix
- Combine 60% potting soil, 30% perlite, and 10% compost for drainage.
- Test pH annually, maintain 6.0-7.5 with lime or sulfur adjustments.
- Top-dress with worm castings each spring to replenish nutrients.
To avoid root binding, prune your roots every three to four years. Carefully and gently take the tree out of the pot, cut back any circling roots, and replace the fresh potting soil. My potted almond didn't produce nuts for a few years until I pruned the roots; in just a few weeks, new growth developed, and nuts followed that season.
Watering
- Water 2-3 times weekly in summer; reduce to once weekly in winter.
- Use a moisture meter to avoid overwatering, aim for slightly damp soil.
- Mulch with gravel to reduce evaporation in hot climates.
Fertilizing
- Apply balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) in early spring and midsummer.
- Stop fertilizing 6 weeks before first frost to harden wood.
- Yellow leaves signal nitrogen deficiency, apply fish emulsion immediately.
Almonds in pots do very well as long as winter freeze protection is provided. We relocate our pots in front of a garage under cover when frost is in the forecast. When it is going to be below 28°F, I wrap mine in burlap. This tactic saved some blooms when a late spring freeze came out of nowhere, and I had a bumper crop.
Read the full article: How to Grow Almonds: Simplified Guide for Bountiful Harvests
