It doesn't always have to be geraniums in the balcony box - small and weak-growing conifers can also be cultivated wonderfully in sufficiently large pots on the balcony or terrace. They ensure fresh greenery not only during the summer months, but also in winter.
Small conifers do well in pots
The most beautiful types of conifers for the pot
For pot culture, you should choose species and varieties that remain small or that grow slowly, which, at least if you want to keep several tub plants, have different growth heights, growth forms and needle colors. So much color loosens up the picture and makes a pot arrangement really interesting. Conifers for the tub come in very different shapes and colours: as a bush or shrub, as a standard, spherical, with blue, green or yellow needles, with long, short or soft needles… the choice is yours!
Shrubby growing trees
- Korean fir (Abies koreana)
- Dwarf cork fir (Abies lasiocarpa 'Compacta')
- Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Coralliformis')
- Sawara cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Sungold')
- Dwarf Arborvitae (Microbiota decussata)
Hemispherical and spherical conifers
- Dwarf Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea 'Nana')
- Snakeskin Pine (Pinus leucodermis 'Schmidtii')
- Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris 'Wintergold')
- Globe spruce (Picea glauca 'Alberta Globe')
- Pillow Spruce (Picea abies 'Little Gem')
- Tree of Life (Thuja occidentalis 'Danica')
Creeping and drooping conifers
- Creeping juniper (Juniperus communis), v. a. 'Plumosa', 'Glauca' and 'Wiltonia'
The right care
With the right care, coniferous trees cultivated in pots can become very old. As a rule, the trees or bushes are uncomplicated, they only need regular water and fertilizer. If the needles turn brown, you have either watered too much or too little - the plants do not tolerate waterlogging or drought.
pot and pot size
If possible, choose clay or ceramic pots in light colors, as these do not heat up as much in the sun as dark plastic containers. The pot is ideally about a third to a half larger than the root ball.
location and substrate
Most conifers prefer a light to sunny spot. Depending on the species, the substrate is sandy, humic or acidic. However, you should always ensure good pot drainage.
watering and fertilizing
In summer, the substrate should always be slightly damp, in winter, on the other hand, it is watered less frequently. Fertilize the shrubs about every two weeks with a fertilizer specific to the species you have chosen.
hibernate
Hardy conifers can also overwinter in pots outside, all others should be brought to a bright, frost-free and cool place.
tips
Only the indoor fir (Araucaria heterophylla) is suitable for growing indoors all year round. All other coniferous plants belong outside or possibly in the conservatory.