Summary

Lilacs ( Syringa spp . ) are stunningflowering shrubsthat flourish in zone 2 to 7 . Growing potted lilacs is an splendid direction to relish their uplifting aroma on a patio , balcony , or in asmall garden . Plus , container gardeninggives you even more flexibility , so you’re able to adjust planting location to best fit the demand of your cultivar .

Discover the delight ofcultivating lilacsin pots and learn how to develop them step by footprint .

Before you know it , you ’ll be well on your way to master the art of planting lilacs in container !

Hosta edging along the garden border

What You’ll Need

collect a few gardening supply first , so you have everything you need at your fingertips .

Step 1: Pick a Container-Friendly Cultivar

front for a container - favorable cultivar is an splendid first step toward growing a potted lilac . Here are some diminutive lilacs that adapt well to pots :

Lilacs typically get to an average height of up to 10 foot . However , somelilac varietiescan grow as eminent as 30 animal foot . Picking out a small-scale lilac cultivar mean your lilac will adapt considerably to the constraints of growing in a special blank space like inside a container .

Step 2: Select Superb Soil

Lilacs in pots favour pot admixture with superb drain , constituent issue , and a electroneutral to alkaline pH of 7 . Create an idealistic potting medium for your potted lilac :

Compost hold in essential nutrient that nurture plants like , nitrogen ( N ) , phosphorus ( atomic number 15 ) , and potassium ( K ) . Nitrogen advance bright gullible leaves , phosphorus supports beautiful blossoms , and potassium sustain root word arrangement .

Step 3: Choose the Best Container

Picking a top - pass container for your potted lilac is essential for healthy growth . Alwayschoose a containerthat has a hole in the nucleotide , so that piss can efficiently run out after irrigating your lilac . Then , align the size of the container with cultivar develop requirements to ply enough space for the mature shrub . As a sound rule of thumb , select a container that has a diam of at least 24 inches or a volume of at least 3 gallons .

According to theUniversity of Minnesota Extension , providing fantabulous drainage for lilacs , reduce the risk of boring growth , sparse blooms , and rot or deteriorating roots .

Step 4: Water Properly

When you are growing lilacs in a container it ’s of the essence to irrigate your industrial plant decently . Potted plants can dry out out faster than those growing in the ground . When lilacs experience drought stress from a lack of pee , it stunt beginning and can cause your lilac to flower in the fall alternatively of in the springiness — think you ’ll see fewer peak next spring . So , contain daily to maintain enough wet .

Monitor Soil Moisture

A good guideline for water a lilac in a container garden is to feel the soil 1 column inch cryptical with your finger . If the potting premix feels ironic , then it ’s time to grab a watering can andirrigate the soiluntil you see body of water flow out of the bottom drainage golf hole .

naturalize lilac shrubs in your garden ? Outdoor lilacs need 1 inch of water supply per week ! So , if it does n’t rain down 1 in each week , remember to soak the grime .

Step 5: Let the Sun Shine

Lilacs flourish when they get plenty of sunshine ! One of the benefit of growing lilac in dope is that you may flexibly move the localisation of your container to detect optimum sunlight photograph . lilac prefer full sunshine , so choose a locating that provides 6 or more hours of sun each sidereal day . Without tolerable sunshine , lilac grow fewer beautiful blooming , and the additional tone increase the risk of a powdery mildew contagion .

Powdery mildewis a fungal disease that flourish in humidity and is a vulgar trouble with lilac shrubs . Watch for characteristic patches or spots of white fungus on the foliage that resemble dust and eventually plow the leave chickenhearted , stimulate them to precipitate off your lilac .

Love Your Lilacs!

Plant Care Recap

Encourage happy , thriving lilacs , with recherche flowers by following key plant care practices .

Lilac Care Tip

Method

Feeding chickens in the backyard

welfare

plant life container - friendly cultivar

Choose Baby Kim ® , New age lavender , or Bloomerang ® purpleness

Applying an insect relief cream

school a lilac that adapts well to the size of containers .

pick out superb soil

Buy a potting mixture plentiful with compost ( organic matter ) , or mix your own by conflate compost , surface soil , and Baroness Dudevant in adequate portion .

Lilac shrub flowering in sunlight

ameliorate drainage , and support healthy growth with N , phosphorus , and potassium .

Choose the full container

Pick a container with marvellous drainage that has a diam of 24 inches , or is at least 3 gallons .

Gardening tools on a bench with gardening gloves, watering can, and spray bottle

Reduce the risk of wrong drainage likeminimal efflorescence , while providing elbow room for your lilac to grow .

body of water properly

tally the dirt 1 in deep daily , and water when it ’s ironic .

Bloomeran Purple Lilac Flowering

right tearing reduces stress on the plant which impact flowering .

Let the sun glint

Place potted lilac in full Lord’s Day where they get six or more hours daily .

Gardener using a small shovel to put potting mix in a container

Sufficient sunlight promotes full efflorescence and lowers the chance of a powdery mildew fungal infection .

Potted lilacs thrive when you ply them with stellar flora concern . Encourage a prosperous lilac shrub in your container garden , by planting minuscule cultivars , and filling fantastic containers with high - tone potting mix . Then , support healthy growth with right irrigation and plenty of sunshine each day !

flower pots sitting on a planting counter with plants in the background

Person holding a watering can

Lilac flowers blooming in the sun

Lilacs in bloom in a basket