With its intense floral scent and wonderful flower spikes, the lilac brings joy to every garden. However, lovers of this ornamental tree do not have to miss out on the splendor that appears in spring if they do not have a garden - under certain conditions you can also cultivate the shrub in a pot on the balcony.
Can you plant lilacs on the balcony?
To plant lilacs on the balcony, you should choose a dwarf lilac variety, provide a sunny southwest location, use the right substrate and drainage and water, cut, fertilize and repot the plant regularly and winterize it.
Selecting the right variety
But before you beam with joy and head to the nearest garden center to buy a lilac for your balcony, you should first decide on a suitable variety. So-called dwarf lilacs (for example Syringa meyeri 'Palibin') are best suited for pot cultivation, as they don't grow that big anyway and are therefore easier to keep in a pot. Other types of lilacs that remain smaller can also be planted. If, on the other hand, you want it to be a “real” lilac, consider the following: If cultivated appropriately, it can grow up to two meters high and quite wide even in a pot. In this case, your balcony should be large enough to easily accommodate such a plant - and also have the appropriate statics, because a large lilac including the pot and substrate can be very heavy.
Location and substrate
The balcony should face south or southwest so that the lilac gets plenty of sun. The ornamental tree is a sun worshiper and only blooms profusely when it is in a sunny and warm location. On the other hand, it can be windy; that doesn't harm the lilac at all. A mixture of good potting soil, sand, expanded clay and compost is suitable as a substrate. Under no circumstances should you forget about drainage, because lilacs absolutely cannot tolerate waterlogging.
How to properly care for your potted lilac
With the right care, you will soon be able to enjoy the beautiful lilac flowers.
Watering and fertilizing
Lilac tolerates dryness rather than wetness, which is why you should water it regularly - but only moderately. Every two weeks, add a container plant fertilizer (€17.00 on Amazon) to the irrigation water, preferably one with a low nitrogen content. Nitrogen ensures rapid growth, which is not necessarily desirable in the pot.
Cutting and repotting
Approximately every two years, plant the lilac in fresh substrate and, if necessary, in a larger pot after flowering. Cut it back to the desired size and also carry out a root cut: otherwise the rhizome will become too strong.
Wintering
Since lilacs are hardy, you can also overwinter them outside, but you should wrap the pot in fleece and place it on a Styrofoam plate. The roots should not freeze. Don't forget to water the lilacs a little on frost-free days.
Tip
Tall stems are generally more suitable for keeping in containers than bush-shaped lilacs.
