With its intensive flower scent and the wonderful panicles of flowers, the lilac brings joy to every garden. However, lovers of this ornamental tree do not have to do without the splendor that appears in spring if they do not have a garden - under certain conditions you can also cultivate the shrub in a bucket on the balcony.
Not all varieties thrive in pots
Choosing the right variety
But before you go beaming with joy to the nearest garden center to buy a lilac for your balcony, you should first decide on a suitable variety. So-called dwarf lilacs (e.g. Syringa meyeri 'Palibin'), which do not grow that big anyway and are therefore easier to keep in a pot, are best suited for pot culture. Other lilac species that remain smaller can also be planted. If, on the other hand, you want a "real" lilac, consider the following: With the right culture, it can grow up to two meters high and quite wide, even in a pot. In this case, your balcony should be big enough to accommodate such a plant without any problems - and also have the right statics, because a large lilac including pot and substrate can be very heavy.
location and substrate
The balcony should face south or southwest so that the lilac gets a lot of sun. The ornamental tree is a sun worshiper that only blooms profusely when it is in a sunny and warm location. On the other hand, it can be windy, which does not harm the lilacs at all. A mixture of good potting soil, sand, expanded clay (€19.73) and compost is suitable as a substrate. In any case, do not forget about drainage, because lilacs absolutely do not tolerate waterlogging.
How to properly care for your potted lilacs
With the right care, you can soon enjoy the beautiful lilac blossoms.
watering and fertilizing
Lilacs tolerate drought rather than moisture, which is why you should water them regularly - but only moderately. Every two weeks, add a container plant fertilizer to the irrigation water, preferably one with a low nitrogen content. Nitrogen ensures rapid growth, which is not necessarily desirable in the bucket.
cutting and repotting
About every two years, after flowering, plant the lilac in fresh substrate and, if necessary, in a larger pot. Prune it back to the desired size and also perform a root pruning: otherwise the rootstock will become too strong.
hibernate
Since lilacs are hardy, you can also overwinter them outside, but you should wrap the pot in fleece and place it on a styrofoam plate (€35.50). The roots should not freeze through. Don't forget to water the lilacs on frost-free days.
tips
High stems are generally more suitable for keeping in buckets than bushy lilacs.