Dwarf Fruit Trees Buying Guide

• Size: 10 to 15 feet tall
• Fruit: Takes 10 years to fruit but will fruit once a year after that
• Pollination: Self-pollinating

Both the fruit and the leaves of Kieffer limes (also called kaffir or keiffer limes) are common ingredients in Thai cuisine. The fruit features a bumpy, extremely aromatic peel used in curry pastes. The glossy green leaves add flavor to soups and stews.

Kieffer lime trees grown from seeds take ten years to mature and produce fruit, while a tree grown from a cutting will reach maturity in about three years. Mature keiffer lime trees are self-pollinating and will fruit once a year. Make sure you give your lime tree plenty of sunlight and prune it twice a year. These trees will only get 10 to 15 feet tall at most. Scale up the size of the pot your tree is in as it grows.

• Size: 5 to 7 feet tall
• Fruit: 3 to 7 years to fruit
• Pollination: Self-pollinating

It's no wonder Meyer lemons are so popular, particularly as a dwarf lemon tree. They're easy to grow, prolific and don't need a lot of heat for the fruit to ripen. Slightly sweeter and juicier than the classic commercial varieties, Meyer lemons have a slight tangerine flavor. These trees are self-pollinating, but you can help them along by leaving your tree outside or using a small paintbrush to transfer pollen between flowers. If you leave the tree in a pot it will remain dwarf size, and if planted in the ground it could reach up to 10 feet in height. These trees can fruit up to four times a year. If you grow your tree from seeds, it will take three to seven years to fruit, but a grafted tree may produce fruit in as few as two years.

• Size: 6 to 7 feet tall
• Fruit: Up to 3 years to produce fruit 
• Pollination: Self-pollinating

Eureka lemon trees bear fruit all year and can be prolific. The fruit is very tart with fragrant, medium-thick skin — perfect for zest or as wedges in beverages. These small fruit trees can take up to three years to produce lemons. Dwarf eureka lemon trees kept in pots will remain small, but standard versions can grow up to 20 feet tall. These trees are self-pollinating and you can encourage fruit growth just like with Meyer lemon trees.

• Size: 4 to 6 feet tall
• Fruit: Up to 3 years to produce fruit
• Pollination: Self-pollinating

These snack-size, seedless fruits continue to grow in popularity. Cool nights and warm days give this hardy fruit a sweet, tart flavor. Like other dwarf trees, when planted outside these trees only grow until they are eight to 12 feet tall. Saplings can take up to three years to bear fruit. These trees are self-pollinating and their fruit ripens early.

Dwarf pear, plum and apple trees are generally larger than dwarf citrus trees. Planting them in the ground is an alternative to containers depending on your zone. Keep in mind that many varieties (like apples) will actually require cold weather in order to produce fruit.

Always know your planting zone if you’ll be planting anything outdoors. Many fruit trees also require a second tree as a pollinator. Check the plant tag for this and much more. See How to Read a Plant Tag for Planting Instructions for guidance on how to interpret the information on the tag.

Always choose fruit tree planters with good drainage. Use a pot with an 8- to 10-inch diameter for a one-year-old tree. A 12- to 14-inch diameter pot is suitable for two- and three-year-old trees. Dwarf citrus trees flower better when their roots are slightly constricted.

While dwarf fruit trees will grow over time, they will not grow to the same high as their non-dwarf counterparts. Their maximum height depends on the variety, the climate and the growing container.

It depends on the variety. Check the tag to see if your variety needs other trees nearby to bear fruit.

Begin with a basic potting mix (without fertilizers or wetting agents). Don't put gravel or small rocks in the bottom of the pot.

Give trees a thorough watering at first, then add 1/4 to 1/2 gallon of water every five to seven days. Apply plant food as directed on the plant tag.

Place your tree in a spot that gets at least eight hours of direct sunlight each day. Citrus grows best when temperatures are between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If your home gets dry during winter months, place the pot on a saucer filled with pebbles and add water to the saucer. During warm weather, acclimate your pot in a sunny, wind-free spot outside.