Growing cherries indoors offers the delight of fresh, homegrown fruit, even without outdoor space. While traditionally cultivated outdoors, it is possible to grow cherry trees within your home. Success requires understanding and providing for their specific needs, including careful variety selection, environmental controls, and consistent care.
Choosing the Right Cherry Variety
Choosing the right cherry variety is important for indoor cultivation. Dwarf or compact varieties are most suitable due to their manageable size. Look for trees grafted onto dwarfing rootstocks, which naturally restrict their growth. Self-pollinating varieties are also recommended, simplifying the process as they don’t require a second tree.
Sour cherry varieties like ‘North Star’, ‘Romeo’, and ‘Carmine Jewel’ are generally more amenable to indoor growing than sweet cherries. ‘North Star’ is a self-fertile dwarf option well-suited for container gardening, typically reaching 8-10 feet tall. ‘Carmine Jewel’ is another compact, cold-hardy, and self-pollinating sour cherry growing as a bush, often reaching 6-8 feet.
Creating the Ideal Indoor Environment
Establishing the correct environmental conditions is fundamental to the health and productivity of an indoor cherry tree.
Light Requirements
Cherry trees need substantial indoor light. They require a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight daily. While a south or west-facing window provides some natural light, supplemental grow lights are often necessary to meet their high demands. LED grow lights are effective for consistent, adequate illumination, promoting robust growth and fruit development.
Soil and Potting
Well-draining soil is crucial for cherry trees, as they are susceptible to root rot. A potting mix designed for fruit trees, or a blend of perlite, pine bark, and compost, provides drainage and aeration. Cherry trees prefer a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH, ideally between 6.0 and 7.0. Regularly testing the soil pH helps maintain this balance for nutrient availability.
Container selection is important; proper drainage holes are essential. Start with a 10-15 gallon pot for young trees, repotting into larger 22-27 gallon containers as the tree grows. Terracotta pots or half-barrels are recommended for weight and stability. Repotting every few years into a slightly larger container, once the roots fill the current one, supports continued growth.
Watering Practices
Consistent moisture is important, but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. The soil should remain moist but not soggy. Water deeply until water drains from the bottom, then allow the top inch or two of soil to dry before watering again. Watering frequency varies by pot size, environment, and season, typically every 3-4 days during the growing season.
Temperature and Humidity
Cherry trees prefer moderate temperatures for growth, with cool periods necessary for fruiting. Typical indoor temperatures suffice during the growing season. Humidity is a factor, especially in dry indoor environments. Increasing ambient humidity around the tree can be beneficial, achievable with a humidifier or by placing the pot on a pebble tray.
Ongoing Care for Indoor Cherry Trees
Beyond establishing the right environment, consistent ongoing care is necessary for the health and productivity of indoor cherry trees.
Pollination Needs
Even self-pollinating cherry varieties, ideal for indoor growing, benefit from hand-pollination. Indoors, without natural pollinators like bees, human intervention is often required for fruit set. This involves using a small brush or cotton swab to gently transfer pollen from one flower to another. Pollinate flowers when they are fully open, typically in the morning, to maximize success.
Fertilizing Your Cherry Tree
Container cherry trees require regular fertilization for growth and fruit production. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10 or 14-14-14) is often recommended. Organic options like fish emulsion or compost tea provide consistent nourishment. Fertilize in early spring when new growth begins, and continue applications every 4-6 weeks during the growing season, stopping in late summer to prepare the tree for dormancy. Avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen during fruiting, as this can promote foliage growth at the expense of fruit.
Pruning for Health and Production
Pruning maintains the size and shape of an indoor cherry tree and encourages fruit production. Dormant pruning, done in late winter or early spring before new growth, involves removing dead, diseased, or crossing branches. Summer pruning manages overall size, improves air circulation, and encourages branching. Regular pruning helps maintain a compact form suitable for indoor spaces and directs the tree’s energy towards fruit development.
Managing Pests and Diseases
Indoor cherry trees can be susceptible to pests like aphids and spider mites. Regular inspection of leaves, especially the undersides, helps early detection. If pests are found, organic control methods like neem oil or insecticidal soap are effective. Good air circulation, achieved through proper pruning and spacing, helps prevent fungal diseases like powdery mildew and brown rot.
Understanding Chill Hours and Fruiting
A key factor for cherry tree fruiting is the accumulation of “chill hours.” Chill hours refer to the period of cold temperatures (32°F-45°F / 0°C-7.2°C) a cherry tree needs during dormancy to break bud and produce flowers and fruit. Most varieties require 800-1200 chill hours, though some low-chill varieties need fewer (around 400-500 hours). For example, ‘North Star’ typically requires 700-800 chill hours, and ‘Carmine Jewel’ needs 700-1000 chill hours.
Failing to provide sufficient chill hours prevents the tree from flowering and fruiting effectively. This can result in delayed or irregular bud break and a lack of fruit production.
To provide chill hours indoors, move the potted cherry tree to a cool, unheated space (e.g., garage, basement, or cold room) for 2-3 months during winter. During this dormancy period, watering should be significantly reduced. While growing cherries indoors is achievable, expect smaller yields compared to outdoor-grown trees.