Growing Ginkgo Biloba in Pots: A Complete Guide

Ginkgo biloba, also known as the maidenhair tree, is a unique and ancient deciduous tree that can live for thousands of years. With its attractive fan-shaped leaves and tolerance of urban conditions, the ginkgo makes an excellent container-grown specimen for gardens of all sizes.

Growing ginkgo trees in pots allows you to have this majestic plant even if you don’t have space to plant it in the ground. With the right care and selection of compact varieties a potted ginkgo can thrive for decades.

Benefits of Growing Ginkgo in Containers

There are several key advantages to cultivating ginkgo trees in containers:

• Versatility: Pots give you options for where to put the tree and let you move it as needed to get the best light, temperature control, and protection.

• Size control: Root and canopy growth are limited by the confines of the container. This means that you can grow ginkgo even in a small courtyard or on a balcony.

• Care is easier for ginkgos that are grown in pots instead of in the ground. They are easier to water, fertilize, and protect. You can also bring them indoors if conditions require it.

• Different shapes: Ginkgos grown in pots can be trained into different forms, such as standards, cascades, and bonsai shapes.

Selecting a Ginkgo Variety for Containers

While some ginkgo varieties can reach 60-80 feet tall at maturity, there are more compact cultivars better suited for pots:

• ‘Tubifolia’ – A dwarf male cultivar that slowly reaches just 4-6 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide.

• ‘Mariken’ – This dense, rounded female selection grows only to 4-5 feet high and wide

• ‘Presidential Gold’ – A narrowly columnar male form that tops out around 10 feet tall by 2-3 feet across.

• ‘Jade Butterflies’ – An extremely dwarf female that reaches just 18 inches high and wide at maturity.

• ‘Chi Chi’ – Dense, bushy growth to 6-9 feet makes this female variety an ideal container candidate.

For pots, select compact, slow-growing varieties that max out under 10 feet tall. Male cultivars are preferable since females produce messy fruit.

Growing Ginkgo Trees in Containers

Follow these tips for successfully cultivating ginkgo in pots:

• Soil – Use a well-draining potting mix amended with compost or bark. Ginkgos grow best in fertile, loamy soils but tolerate most types.

• Pot size – Choose a container only 1-2 inches wider than the current root ball. Allow a bit of room for growth around the sides.

• Watering – Ginkgos are drought-tolerant when mature but need frequent irrigation as young container plants. Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings.

• Sunlight – Place in full sun to partial shade. A south-facing location is ideal. Ginkgos can adapt to light shade conditions.

• Fertilizer – Feed with slow-release fertilizer pellets or monthly doses of balanced liquid fertilizer during spring and summer.

• Pruning – Trim only as needed to maintain shape and remove dead branches. Avoid heavy pruning that stresses container ginkgos.

With proper drainage, adequate moisture, full sunlight and regular feeding, potted ginkgos can thrive for years as beautiful living sculptures. This hardy ancient survivor readily adapts to life in containers.

Tips for Growing Healthy Container Ginkgos

Follow these additional tips to keep your potted ginkgo trees looking their vibrant best:

• Gradually acclimate indoor ginkgo trees to the outdoors each spring once temperatures have warmed up. This will harden them off for the growing season.

• Rotate pots regularly to promote symmetrical growth through even sunlight exposure on all sides.

• Prune back any roots that escape from drainage holes to prevent the tree from becoming root bound.

• Repot every 2-3 years in early spring using fresh potting soil. Move up just one container size at a time.

• Place pots on rolling plant caddies to simplify moving them for maintenance. Add casters for extra convenience.

• Monitor for pests like spider mites, scale, and cankerworms. Treat any infestations immediately and aggressively.

• Protect outdoor ginkgos from harsh winter winds with wraps or placing pots behind windbreaks.

• Consider grafting varieties onto dwarfing rootstock like ‘Chi Chi’ to further restrict size.

With proper care, you can enjoy the unique beauty of ginkgo for many years in patio containers. This ancient survivor readily adapts to potted life with grace.

Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Ginkgo in Pots

Here are answers to some common questions about cultivating ginkgo biloba in containers:

Can I grow a ginkgo bonsai tree?

Yes, ginkgo makes an excellent bonsai specimen. Opt for slow-growing cultivars like ‘Tubifolia’ and ‘Jade Butterflies’. Use bonsai techniques like wiring and clipping to train the shape as desired. Repot annually.

What size pot does a ginkgo tree need?

Choose a container 2-4 inches wider than the root ball for mature 10-foot trees. Use at least a 20-inch diameter pot. Dwarf varieties only need 10-12 inch pots.

How often should I fertilize a potted ginkgo?

Apply slow-release fertilizer tablets every 2-3 months during the growing season. You can also use a dilute liquid feed every 4-6 weeks from early spring through mid-summer.

Can I grow ginkgo indoors as a houseplant?

Ginkgo can make a striking indoor plant if given ample sunlight from a south window. Use grow lights to supplement natural light. Maintain minimum temperatures above 60°F for winter dormancy.

With the right cultivar selection, setup, and attentive care, growing ginkgo biloba in containers allows you to enjoy this captivating tree even in a small space, indoors or out.

Conclusion

Growing ginkgo biloba in pots and containers is an excellent option for gardens both big and small. Follow the tips in this guide to choose the right variety, provide ideal growing conditions, and keep your potted maidenhair tree healthy and thriving for decades to come. With its resilience, graceful beauty, and living fossil status, ginkgo is a uniquely enchanting container plant like no other.