Potted trees for terrace

Is it a good idea to have trees on the terrace? Of course yes. But we have to choose the species very, very well, taking into account the characteristics of the climate as well as the terrace itself, since for example it may be that it is not exposed to sunlight throughout the day, in which case you would have to look for plants that prefer shade, or on the contrary it is and therefore you need trees that can be in sunny places.

Therefore, let's see what are the best potted trees for terraces: its main characteristics, and its resistance to cold, very necessary information to know whether or not we can have them well in the place where we live.

Potted trees for sunny terraces

Is it possible to have potted trees on sunny terraces? The answer is yes. Moreover, when we look for plants of this type to put in places like this, it will not be as difficult as if we wanted to find some to put in the shade (although there are also some, as we will see later). These are the ones we recommend:

Tree of loveCercis siliquastrum)

El love tree, or Judas tree as it is also called, It is a deciduous plant that is filled with lilac flowers in spring, and it does so before its leaves, which are heart-shaped, sprout. It can be about 6 meters tall, but don't worry: in a pot it will stay smaller, perhaps 3-4 meters. Still, you can prune it in the fall (when the foliage falls off) if you want it even shorter. Withstands up to -18ºC.

Citrus (Citrus sp)

The Citrus, that is, lemon, mandarin, orange, etc., are evergreen fruit trees that adapt very well to living in pots. I myself have a 4-season lemon tree planted in a large pot (about 60 centimeters wide by about the same height) on the patio. These plants always look very pretty, especially in spring when their small but fragrant white flowers bloom.. As for their resistance to cold, it depends on the species, but in general they can withstand up to -4ºC.

laurel (Laurus nobilis)

El laurel It is a plant that, if you like the kitchen, you will surely love to have it on your terrace, since You can use the leaves to season your dishes. It is an evergreen tree that can reach 12 meters in height when planted in the garden, but stays at about 3-4 meters when kept in a pot. However, it tolerates pruning very well. It resists up to -12ºC.

Olive (Olea europaea)

The olive tree is an evergreen tree that grows slowly, and therefore lives very well in a pot. In addition, you can give the shape you want to your glass, since tolerates pruning well provided it is done in late winter. It blooms in spring, and produces its fruits -olives- in summer. Also, you should know that it resists well the cold and frosts of up to -12ºC.

Potted trees for shaded or semi-shaded terraces

If your terrace does not get much sun, or if it is always in the shade, you will have to look for trees that can live in those conditions and/or that can at least adapt without problems, such as the following:

Japanese maple (Acer palmatum)

El japanese maple It is a deciduous tree, or shrub depending on the cultivar, that grows between 1 and 12 meters more or less. It is a plant with palmate leaves, which can be green, orange, pink or red at some time of the year.. It adapts phenomenally to living in pots, as long as it is kept in a substrate for acid plants (for sale here), and the climate is temperate, with high air humidity. It resists down to -18ºC, but temperatures of more than 30ºC harm it.

Japanese Privet (Ligustrum japonicum)

El japan privet it is not a tree, but a bush that can be shaped into a small tree. It is evergreen, and grows no more than 3 meters tall, so it can be luxurious in a pot. The leaves can be green, golden or variegated depending on the cultivar. Produces highly scented, yellowish-white flowers in summer. And it withstands frosts of up to -18ºC.

Small-leaved chestnut (Aesculus parviflora)

The small-leaved chestnut is a deciduous tree that reaches a height of about 5 to 15 meters. In a pot it stays at about 4-5 meters, and it can even be kept smaller if necessary by pruning. It has palmate green leaves, which turn yellowish in autumn. In spring it produces white flowers in erect inflorescences that arise in the upper part of the crown.. It tolerates very well up to -20ºC, but it does not like extreme heat too much (30ºC or more).

male dogwood (Cornus mas)

The male dogwood is a small deciduous tree that reaches about 6 to 8 meters in height; if in a pot, having less space, it stays smaller. It is a plant with green leaves, which turn orange or reddish during the autumn before falling. Its flowers are yellow and sprout very early in spring, before the leaves do. Of course, you have to plant it in a pot with a substrate for acid plants, since it cannot live in alkaline soils. It can withstand temperatures down to -20ºC, but very hot summers, with temperatures over 30ºC, harm it.

Magnolia (magnolia grandiflora)

The magnolia or magnolia tree It is an evergreen tree that, although it can reach 30 meters in height, being in a pot slows down its growth. The good thing about it is that blooms from a young age, so you won't have to wait long to see its white and fragrant flowers. These sprout in spring, and last about 4 days or so. Of course, you have to take into account that it is a plant that needs a substrate for acid plants to avoid iron chlorosis, which is a problem when it is planted in alkaline soils or lands. It resists up to -18ºC.

Did you know some of these trees that can be kept in a pot? Do you already know which one you are going to put on your terrace?