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 beautiful flowering shrubs that evoke thoughts of spring with their sweet scent and showy blooms While they are traditionally planted in the ground, did you know you can also grow lilacs in containers? With the right pot, soil, and care, you can enjoy the beauty of lilacs on your patio or balcony.
Growing lilacs in pots is possible, but does require some special considerations. In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to successfully grow these fragrant beauties in a container
Choosing a Potted Lilac Variety
With over 20 species and thousands of cultivars, there are many types of lilacs to choose from. However, not every variety is well-suited to container growing.
When selecting a potted lilac, look for compact, dwarf, or miniature varieties that reach a maximum height of 5-8 feet. Some good options include:
- Dwarf Korean Lilac – Grows to 4-5 feet with pale purple blooms
- Bloomerang Lilac – Reblooming dwarf hybrids in pink, purple or white at 2-6 feet
- Miss Kim Lilac – Purple buds opening to lavender blooms on plants up to 8 feet tall
- Tinkerbelle Lilac – A compact lilac reaching just 6 feet high with bright pink blooms
Avoid full-size lilac varieties, as they can reach up to 30 feet tall and require extensive root space. Stick to compact types ideal for containers.
Providing a Large Container
Lilacs have dense, spreading root systems. To accommodate this and allow for proper growth, use the largest container possible.
- For small lilacs, choose a pot at least 2 feet wide
- For larger varieties, select a container as wide as the plant’s expected mature width
- Depth should equal width – aim for 2 feet deep minimum
Terra cotta, wood, plastic, and metal pots all work, but provide adequate drainage holes. Avoid crowded roots to prevent stunted plants.
The Right Potting Mix
Create a well-draining, nutrient-rich mix for your potted lilac.
- Use equal parts potting soil, compost, and garden soil
- Mix thoroughly before planting
- aim for a neutral pH around 6.5-7.0 – lilacs dislike acidic soil
- Add lime or bone meal to lower acidity if needed
This blend will provide nutrients, moisture retention, and the quick drainage lilacs require.
Planting Your Lilac
When planting your lilac, take care to position it properly in the container:
- Loosen tightly packed roots before planting
- Plant at same level as it was growing in nursery pot
- Set the crown slightly above soil level to prevent rotting
- Mound soil around root ball, keeping stems and trunk exposed
This prevents the crown from sinking down into wet soil over time.
Caring for Container Lilacs
To keep your potted lilacs thriving, provide these care practices:
- Place in full sun – minimum 6 hours per day
- Water thoroughly when top 1″ of soil dries out
- Add mulch around base to retain moisture
- Fertilize in early spring with complete, balanced fertilizer
- Prune immediately after flowering by 1/3 to shape
- Monitor for pests like borer, scale, and leafminer
Avoid wet leaves, which can lead to powdery mildew. Container lilacs need diligent watering and pruning but otherwise are quite low maintenance.
Overwintering Potted Lilacs
Lilacs require a dormant period in winter, so keep them outdoors once temperatures drop:
- Never bring lilacs indoors for winter
- Place pots near foundations or cluster together for wind protection
- Wrap pots with burlap or evergreen branches as insulation
- Stop watering once leaves drop until early spring
The key is preventing extreme freeze/thaw cycles around roots while allowing the cold period lilacs need.
Tips for Success with Container Lilacs
Follow these tips to ensure you get abundant blooms from your potted lilacs:
- Situate container in full sun
- Water regularly to keep soil slightly moist
- Choose compact varieties under 6 feet in size
- Use large pots, at least 2 feet wide and deep
- Prune annually right after flowering
- Fertilize just once in early spring
- Protect roots from winter damage
- Deadhead to encourage reblooming
With the right variety, pots, location, and care, you can enjoy the nostalgic beauty of lilacs grown as a patio plant or container specimen.
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Lilacs in Pots
If you’re new to container lilacs, chances are you still have some questions. Here are answers to some of the most common queries about growing lilacs in pots:
What size pot do I need for a lilac?
Choose a container at least 2 feet wide and 2 feet deep. For larger lilac varieties, select a pot as wide as the expected mature width of the plant.
How often do potted lilacs need water?
Check soil daily and water potted lilacs whenever the top 1 inch becomes dry. Smaller pots will need more frequent watering than larger containers.
Should I fertilize a potted lilac?
Yes, apply a balanced fertilizer once in early spring. Look for a 5-10-10 or 10-10-10 formula.
Do lilacs need full sun to bloom?
Lilacs require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for best growth and maximum blooms.
Can I move a potted lilac indoors in winter?
No, lilacs should remain outdoors year-round. They require a dormant period in winter to bloom well.
How do I prune a potted lilac?
Prune immediately after flowering while removing 1/3 of the oldest branches. Also remove dead wood and shape to maintain size.
What are good compact lilac varieties for pots?
Great options include Bloomerang, Miss Kim, Tinkerbelle, and Dwarf Korean lilacs. Avoid large cultivars over 8 feet tall.
How can I revive a potted lilac that won’t bloom?
This is usually due to insufficient sunlight. Move the plant to a sunnier location and prune rigorously right after flowering.
Plant High Inside The Pot
Keep the crown protruding slightly from the top of the mound of soil to prevent root rot and disease.
If possible, start with a container grown lilac since its root system will already be limited. If roots appear dense and compact when your plant is removed from its growing container, loosen them with a garden tool or score them vertically with a blade in three or four locations.
Once the soil in your container is combined thoroughly, remove enough of it to accommodate your lilac’s root ball so that the crown will sit slightly below the rim of your container. Remember that a heavy root base will likely sink a bit after it settles.
Backfill around the rootball to a level that’s just below the crown. You want to make sure your lilac’s stems protrude from the peak of the mounded dirt, not from a concave center. A sunken crown will make your lilac more prone to rot and disease. You want water to drain down and to the sides.
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.