Known for their tall stature, distinctive scent, and loose, arching form, lilacs are typically chosen by property owners and landscape designers who need to fill a large, sunny space with a low-maintenance, ornamental plant. I reach for them when I’m proposing a living fence or a subtle, privacy screen. Or when I need a corner shrub with a classic, cottage vibe.
Lilacs are fast-growing, beautiful, and really hard to kill. In landscape design, that’s a trifecta of good plant qualities, especially when you’re working with busy clients who aren’t going to be out there every day nursing the backyard greenery.
When recommending plant materials for a patio, balcony or rooftop garden, however, lilacs do not immediately come to mind. They have large root systems and require good drainage – two issues that can’t always be guaranteed by your average plant container.
But if you think outside the clay pot, and if you’re willing to give them a little extra attention, lilacs can perform wonderfully in a more urban or hardscape setting. Here are 14 of my top tips that you can put in place to up the odds of successfully growing lilacs in containers.
With the lilac genus featuring more than 20 species and thousands of cultivars, your options might seem overwhelming. Since some types of lilacs can grow to heights of 30 feet or more and require lots of room to ramble, let’s rule out anything that exceeds 8 feet in height right away. That leaves us with plenty of dwarfs and mid-sized shrubs to consider. Here are a few that should respond well to being contained:
Round in shape and maxing out at 4-5 feet, this dense flowering shrub produces single pink flowers in mid to late spring.
This compact beauty can be purchased as a low mounding shrub or a lollipop-form tree. Known for its red flower buds, Tinkerbelle opens in late spring to early summer. Bright green leaves provide nice contrast. Height maxes at 6 feet.
Available in shades of pink, purple, and white, Bloomerangs also stay compact, with a 2-6 foot spread, depending on variety. The cool thing is, they will flower again if you deadhead them immediately after the first blooms have faded.
Also a rebloomer, Josee features star shaped flowers that cover the shrub almost completely in late spring. Habit is rounded and tops off at 4-6 feet.
This cultivar packs a punch in early spring with large purple flower buds that open to true lavender blooms. Available in sizes ranging from mini to standard (2-8 feet tall and wide). Miss Kim’s leaves turn burgundy in fall, making these cultivars a good choice for three season interest.
Lilacs are classic spring-blooming shrubs known for their beautifully colored and fragrant flowers. Their large size and spreading habit make them ideal for planting in the landscape but what if you don’t have enough yard space? Can you grow lilacs in a pot?
The short answer is yes, you can grow lilacs in containers with proper care and technique. While they prefer being in the ground, lilacs can thrive in pots if given the right conditions.
In this detailed guide, we will cover everything you need to know about successfully growing lilacs in pots, including:
Choosing the Right Lilac Variety
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Look for dwarf or compact varieties under 8 feet tall. Some good options: Dwarf Korean, Bloomerang, Miss Kim.
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Larger varieties like common lilac can also work but will require bigger pots.
Using the Largest Pot Possible
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Aim for a pot at least 2 feet wide and deep.
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Lilacs have large root systems that need room to spread.
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Bigger pots retain more moisture.
Providing Proper Drainage
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Make sure pot has adequate drainage holes (at least 20% of surface area).
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Add more holes if needed using a drill or screwdriver.
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Avoid rocks or pot shards at bottom which can hinder drainage.
The Right Potting Mix
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Use a mix of potting soil, garden soil, and compost.
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Lilacs prefer neutral to alkaline soil, pH of 6.5-7.0.
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Add lime if needed to decrease acidity.
Planting at the Correct Depth
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Plant crown slightly above soil level to prevent rot.
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Backfill soil around root ball, keeping it just below crown.
Full Sun Exposure
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Lilacs need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
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More sun = more blooms.
Consistent Watering
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Check soil daily, water when top 1″ is dry.
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Soak at roots, avoid wetting foliage.
Using Organic Mulch
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Mulch helps retain moisture between waterings.
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Keep mulch 6″ away from trunks and stems.
Early Spring Fertilizing
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Use granular fertilizer with a ratio like 5-10-10.
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Focus on phosphorus and potassium to encourage blooms.
Deadheading Spent Flowers
- Prune off faded blooms above leaf set to encourage reblooming.
Annual Pruning
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Prune right after flowering finishes.
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Remove 1/3 of branches, deadwood, suckers annually.
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Cut back tall canes, shape rounded form.
Protecting in Winter
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Lilacs are cold hardy but shield from wind.
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Avoid bringing indoors.
With the right care, potted lilacs can thrive and produce their signature colorful, fragrant blooms even in a confined space. Pay attention to choosing compact varieties, using large containers, providing ample sunlight and drainage, fertilizing correctly, and pruning as needed. Container grown lilacs require diligent watering and monitoring, but are absolutely worth the effort for the spring floral display they provide.
Add a Layer of Mulch
Add a layer of organic mulch to keep moisture in the pot.
To keep your potted lilac from drying out between waterings, add a layer of organic mulch around its base. Wood chips, pine bark, sawdust, hay, leaves, or a layer of compost all work well in pots.
Be careful not to pile any materials up to around your lilac’s trunk or stems, keeping a 6-inch radius completely mulch-free. This will discourage issues with rot and pests.
Place Your Container in The Sun
Although lilacs can grow in shade, they need at least 6 hours of sunlight.
Lilacs require at least 6 hours of sun and, with many cultivars that can thrive in very sunny climates. They will benefit from a location that is hot in the afternoon. While they will survive in a slightly shady spot, they will not flower well or grow as quickly. They will also be more vulnerable to shade-related conditions such as powdery mildew.
Watering lilacs depends on the size of the pot and should be focused on the roots of the lilacs.
The size of your pot will determine how often your potted lilac needs to be watered. A larger volume of soil will hold water longer, and you might be able to go a few days between watering. But a smaller ratio of roots to dirt means you should check them every day, or at least every other day.
Watering should be concentrated at your lilac’s roots and not its leaves, as they are prone to fungal conditions. Use a watering can or shower setting on your hose nozzle to soak but not drench the dirt surrounding the plant.
Continue watering into fall, but stop when lilac loses its leaves and enters dormancy. Begin watering again next season when soil has thawed in early spring.
Planting Lilacs in Containers! Everything you need to know. I love this Shrub! //FlowerFanatic
FAQ
Do lilacs do well in pots?
Smaller lilac plants, such as our Bloomerang® Dwarf Pink Lilac, can thrive in containers. Appropriate care of potted lilac plants is important. Place it in a south facing window that receives at least 6 hours of full sun every day.
What is the Old Wives tale about lilacs?
Sadly lilacs have become associated with bad omens and many believe that bringing lilacs into the house will bring bad luck and possibly death to the …Apr 25, 2014
How many years does it take for a lilac tree to bloom?
*Age: Lilac plants need time to grow before they begin flowering. So, if you have a very young plant, it may not be mature enough to bloom. Most plants start blooming after three or four years but some may take as long as six or seven. The blooms for the first few years will be sparse but should increase with time.
Where should you not plant lilac bushes?
Lilac bushes bloom best in full sun, which is at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Too much shade will result in fewer blooms and increased risk of fungal diseases.