Can You Grow Quince Trees In Pots: Caring For A Container Grown Quince Tree (2024)

By: Liz Baessler

Can You Grow Quince Trees In Pots: Caring For A Container Grown Quince Tree (1)

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Fruiting quince is a fascinating, little grown tree that deserves more recognition. Usually passed up in favor of more popular apples and peaches, quince trees are a very manageable, slightly exotic addition to the garden or orchard. If you’re short on space and feeling ambitious, a potted quince tree can be an asset to the patio. Keep reading to learn more about growing quince in a container.

Growing Quince in a Container

Before we get any further, it’s important to clear up which kind of quince we’re talking about. There are two major plants that go by the name “quince” – fruiting quince and flowering Japanese quince. The latter can be grown successfully in containers, but we’re here to talk about the former, also known as Cydonia oblonga. To create even more confusion, this quince is not related to its Japanese namesake and shares none of the same growing requirements.

So, can you grow quince trees in pots? The answer is… probably. It’s not a commonly grown container plant, but it is possible, provided you use a big enough pot and a small enough variety of tree. Choose a dwarf variety, or at least a tree that is grafted onto a dwarfing rootstock, to get a quince that is likely to stay small and thrive in a container.

Even with dwarf trees, however, you’ll want to choose as big a container as you can manage– your tree will likely take on the shape and size of a large shrub and will still need plenty of room for its roots.

How to Grow Quince in Containers

Quince likes rich, light, loamy soil that’s kept moist. This can be a bit of a challenge with pots, so be sure to water your tree regularly to keep it from drying out too much. Make sure it doesn’t become waterlogged, though, and ensure that your container has plenty of drainage holes.

Place the container in full sun. Most quince trees are hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9, which means they can tolerate winter in a container down to zone 6. If you live in a colder climate, consider bringing your container grown quince tree indoors for the coldest months, or at the very least protect the container with insulation or mulch and keep it out of strong winter winds.

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Can You Grow Quince Trees In Pots: Caring For A Container Grown Quince Tree (2024)

FAQs

Can You Grow Quince Trees In Pots: Caring For A Container Grown Quince Tree? ›

Smaller varieties of Flowering Quince can be grown in a container. Choose a container that is 8-10 inches wider than the pot it is currently in. This will allow for good root development. The container should have good drainage holes as this plant does not like wet feet.

How many years does it take for a quince tree to bear fruit? ›

Years to bear fruit: Quince trees from seeds should yield fruit within five years. Trees grown from cuttings will begin to produce fruit even sooner. We purchases ours in a one gallon container, and hope to see fruit in a couple to three years.

Can quince survive frost? ›

Temperature and Humidity

Quince trees grow best at temperatures near 60°F with exposure to warm summer conditions. These trees will tolerate cold temperatures down to -5°F.

How much water does a quince tree need? ›

The entire root system of your quince tree should be soaked twice a week to avoid this (especially during the first year). At least 1 inch of water each week is necessary to promote optimal growth and fruit production.

What soil conditions do quince trees like? ›

Quinces prefer a slightly alkaline soil pH of 6.5-7.0. They grow in many soil types but do best in deep, very loamy soil. Steer clear of soils that are poorly drained.

Can flowering quince be grown in pots? ›

Smaller varieties of Flowering Quince can be grown in a container. Choose a container that is 8-10 inches wider than the pot it is currently in. This will allow for good root development. The container should have good drainage holes as this plant does not like wet feet.

Do you need 2 quince trees? ›

Unlike apples, quince does not require a second tree for pollination but does produce higher yields when additional trees are present. Because of their beautiful spring flowers and patterned bark, quince can be planted ornamentally in much the same way as crabapple trees.

What is the best fertilizer for quince? ›

Fertilize once in early spring with a balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10). Flowering Quince is adaptable, easy to grow, and tolerant of pollution.

Does quince like full sun? ›

It is tolerant of shade but will flower the most if placed in full sun. When mature this plant is mildly drought tolerant. Flowering quince is a showy plant in multiple ways. Around March and into April it will flower profusely with medium-sized, scarlet-red blooms.

Can you cut quince to the ground? ›

Quince bloom on last year's growth (old wood). Prune right after bloom to control the growth and still enjoy the colorful floral display. Remove a few older stems to ground level and if needed, the overall height of the remaining stems by as much as 1/3. Or cut the whole plant back to 6” above the ground.

How long do quince trees live? ›

It has a soft, yellow pulp with a grainy texture protected by a thin skin. Quince trees can reach heights of 5–8 m (16–26 ft) and can live for periods in excess of 50 years and have an economic lifespan of approximately 25 years.

How do I keep my quince tree small? ›

Pruning. After the last frost, prune dead and damaged branches and remove lower branches. The fruit develops on old growth, so be cautious when pruning the tips of branches. Quince trees have the habit of forming thickets if sucker growth is not removed, so remove suckers immediately.

Is quince easy to grow? ›

but quinces are among the easiest to grow at home. They stay a manageable size, and have fewer problems with pests. A late-flowering tree, quince has few problems with late frosts.

Where is quince best grown? ›

Quince trees are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 5 through 9. Growing quince trees isn't that difficult as long as you can provide appropriate conditions. Choose a sunny location with fertile soil. Quinces adapt to wet or dry soils but perform best when the soil is well-drained.

How do you fertilize a quince tree? ›

When fertilizing, water or rake in the mixture evenly under the entire canopy of the tree, avoiding a 4-inch area around the trunk. Fertilize no more than 2 times each year, beginning in March and no later than July. Fertilizing after July may promote new growth around the time the plant needs to go dormant.

Are quince hard to grow? ›

Growing quince trees isn't that difficult as long as you can provide appropriate conditions. Choose a sunny location with fertile soil. Quinces adapt to wet or dry soils but perform best when the soil is well-drained. You will also need to plant two trees for good pollination.

Is quince self pollinating? ›

Quince trees are self-fertile and require no pollinator, however generally a pollination partner will increase the size and quality of the harvest.

How much does quince yield per tree? ›

Quince trees can last up to 70 years. Yield/tree is around 320 lbs, with single trees known to produce up to 880 lbs/mature tree. Total costs of growing quince are 40% less compared with apples.

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