How to Overwinter Potted Trees (& Readjust Them in Spring)

If you are growing fruit trees, semi-hardy, or tropical trees outdoors in containers in a cold climate, this shows how to keep them safe during the winter and ready to grow again in spring.

For planting help, When is it too late to plant trees in fall? will get you started.

---

How to Overwinter Potted Trees

---

NEW! Click play to hear:

Subscribe to our Podcast Here

---

If your potted tree is not hardy enough for winters outdoors, it will need to be ‘overwintered’ in an insulated shed or garage.

The example I’m using here is a potted fig tree, but the steps are essentially the same for any deciduous tree growing in a container that can tolerate temperatures down to or near freezing—but no lower.

• Overwintering a potted fig tree is a simple process that requires a bit of work in the fall before first frost, and then again in the spring before last frost.
• You will need a winter storage space like a garage where (ideally) the temperature stays between 0-10°C / 32 to 50° F.
• Many fig trees are hardy (can survive year round outdoors) in gardening zones 7 to 11. With these overwintering tips, you can keep them thriving in zones as low as 4.

When I first got my fig trees (Chicago Hardy fig, shipped as a bare root stem, 6″ long including the roots, by mail order) at the end of their first growing season, I could not find any information about how to protect them during the winter months.

Want to buy a fig tree? Naturehills.com has a few options
(US lower 48 shipping)

Since then I’ve experimented and received advice and this is what works for me here in Ontario, Canada (zone 6).

• Overwintering tells the tree to nap for the winter, protected from freezing temperatures and light.
• When last frost approaches in the spring, you take steps to ‘wake it up’ again, to be ready for a new growing season.
• If you are growing your fig tree in a container, you’ll want to remove the tree from the container every second year and slightly prune the roots to keep it healthy in the pot.

Related: How to overwinter geraniums (as houseplants or in cold storage).

1Year One

In the fall, a few weeks before first frost

1. Ease off on watering as the weather gets cooler and let the tree experience some dips in temperature including light frosts.
2. Cooler temperatures makes the sap drop low in the tree and the leaves will yellow and start falling off (this is good).
3. Right before storing the tree, remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches and spray tree with dormant oil or insecticidal soap (more on this, below) to discourage pests.
4. When frosts are near, move the container to a garage (ideal temperature range is 0-10°C / 32 to 50° F).
5. Keep the plant in darkness. I place a lightweight bag over mine that still allow air flow but blocks light. I use a heavy duty garbage bag .
6. Some people don’t water them at all. I water mine very lightly every 6 weeks or so when it feels dry to my finger (at 1-inch deep). I set a reminder on my phone, otherwise I forget.

TIP: A base with wheels (plant trolley) makes this a lot easier!

In the spring, a few weeks before last frost

1. Start watering the plant again and gradually reintroduce it to sunlight.
2. Two weeks or so before last frost, place the tree outside, ideally in a warm spot. I put mine next to an exterior brick wall with southern exposure.
3. If you’re still having frosty nights, bring the tree inside at night or cover it with heavy row covers or frost cloths.
4. Within a few weeks you will see new growth, sprouts, and leaves.

Related: Cold Storage 101: Food Preservation Tips

2Year Two

Potted fig trees need a little bit of ‘root pruning’ approximately every two years if they are growing well.

In the fall, a few weeks before first frost

1. Remove the tree from the pot, and cut back approximately half the roots to a healthy ball.
2. Wrap the root ball in a plastic bag and keep the tree in a cool dark place for the winter (ideal temperature range is 0-10°C / 32 to 50° F ).
3. If you’re smart, you’ll have new potting soil, compost, and organic fertilizer all ready for re-potting in the spring.
   UPDATE: I have also repotted my trees right after fall root pruning and they did fine. This was 6 weeks before garage storage so the roots could reestablish before winter dormancy.

A few weeks before last frost in the spring

1. Re-pot the tree in fresh potting soil if needed (2 parts soil-less mix to 1 part compost, plus granular organic fertilizer)
2. Water lightly. Prune away any dead branches.
3. Gradually reintroduce the tree to light.
4. Two weeks or so before last frost, place the tree outside, ideally in a warm spot. I put mine next to an exterior brick wall with southern exposure.
5. If you’re still having frosty nights, bring the tree inside at night or cover it with heavy row covers or frost cloths.

Within a few weeks you will see new growth, sprouts, and leaves.

Related: The Most Important Fall Garden Tasks.

3Year Three

Same as Year One. Root prune again in Year Four. Be careful though, you just want to prevent over-crowding in the container.

Frequently Asked Questions

1When should I bring my potted tree indoors?

When the leaves start to drop, it’s time to transition your tree to life indoors, or start preparing it for winter storage.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛