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
You can choose from over 20 species and thousands of cultivars of lilacs. 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
Full-size lilacs should not be used because they can grow up to 30 feet tall and need a lot of space for their roots. 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
Pots made of terracotta, wood, plastic, or metal will all work as long as they have enough 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
It’s important to keep roots from going through extreme freeze-thaw cycles while still giving lilacs the cold period they 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
To keep the crown from getting root rot and disease, leave it slightly sticking out from the top of the mound of soil.
If possible, start with a container grown lilac since its root system will already be limited. If your plant’s roots look tight and dense when you take it out of its pot, use a garden tool to loosen them up or score them three or four times vertically with a blade.
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 the stems of your lilac to stick out from the top of the mounded dirt, not from the middle that is hollow. 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.