Pot a weeping or compact mulberry in a large drained container. A standard white or red tree goes in the ground.
A large drained pot, and a weeping or dwarf form
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Weeping Pendula (about 6 to 10 feet) or another compact tree | A 40-foot white mulberry as a forever patio plant |
| Pot | About 24 inches wide and deep, with drainage holes | A saucer that stays full |
| Standard trees | Hold a young plant one year, then plant out | A nursery pot as a permanent orchard |
| Winter | Protect pot roots from a hard freeze | Assuming ground hardiness in a thin pot wall |
Pendula is the compact form in this catalog — 6 to 10 feet, not a street-tree alba. [1] Most mulberries are too large for a tub; a dwarf wants about 24 inches wide and deep. [2] A standard tree can sit in a nursery pot for a year, then go in the ground. [3]
Can I grow mulberry in a pot?
Yes — a weeping or compact form in a large drained pot. A standard white or red tree goes in the ground.
How to pot a mulberry
Use a drained mix and a pot you can water in heat. Empty the saucer.
- Choose a weeping or compact plant. M. alba ‘Pendula’ is the catalog weeping form; M. nigra is often smaller than white or red. [4]
- Use a pot about 24 inches wide and deep with open drainage holes.
- Set the flare at the same level it sat in the nursery pot. Backfill with a drained potting mix, not garden clay.
- Water until it runs out the holes. Empty the saucer. Repot every year or two so the plant does not stay root-bound.
Water, winter, and when to plant out
Pots dry faster than ground. Water regularly in heat, then let the top of the mix dry before the next soak. In a hard winter, move the tub to a sheltered wall or wrap the pot — pot roots freeze sooner than roots in the ground. If the plant is a standard tree, that year in a pot is holding time, not a patio orchard.
If the pot dries out every afternoon in July, step up one size or plant the tree out — do not add a saucer of water.
FAQ
Can I keep a standard alba in a pot forever?
No. Hold a young plant about a year, then plant it in the ground with room for shallow roots. Forever pots are for weeping or dwarf forms.
What mix do I use?
A drained potting mix in a pot with open holes. Garden clay holds water against the roots. Empty the saucer after you water.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] NC State Extension -
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/morus-alba/ - [2] Harvest to Table -
https://harvesttotable.com/how-to-grow-mulberries/ - [3] GrowVeg -
https://www.growveg.com/plants/us-and-canada/how-to-grow-mulberry/ - [4] UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions -
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/fruits/mulberry/
This note is part of Morus Guides.
More container notes by plant live in Container Growing Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors