A chestnut can also be kept in a pot, at least for a few years. In contrast to horse chestnuts and sweet chestnuts, the Australian chestnut (a chestnut in name only) is actually a popular and very decorative houseplant.
How do I keep a chestnut in a pot?
To keep a chestnut in a pot, choose a sufficiently large, heavy plant pot and create a drainage layer. Mix compost or horn shavings into the soil and water the root ball. Australian chestnuts are best suited for container cultivation as they grow well as houseplants.
Which chestnuts are suitable for keeping in containers?
The bean tree, the Australian chestnut, is best suited for keeping in containers. It can also grow up to 1.80 m high indoors. Since it loves warmth and cannot tolerate frost, it can only be left outside in summer. However, you can hardly wait for flowers on this evergreen plant.
A sweet chestnut or horse chestnut is also suitable for keeping in a container. However, in the long run it needs a fairly large bucket. Above all, it should be heavy enough so that it does not tip over even in a strong gust of wind. A drainage layer and a hole in the bottom of the bucket are essential. This is the only way you can avoid waterlogging in the long term.
If there is excessive moisture, there is a risk of root rot or even a fungal infection, the dreaded ink disease. It causes the chestnut to die within a few years. Root dryness for too long can weaken the chestnut and thereby promote ink disease.
Requirements for keeping buckets
A chestnut must be carefully cared for in a bucket. This means that you should water and fertilize the tree regularly, which is otherwise not necessary with the chestnut. This is the only way the plant gets all the nutrients it needs in sufficient quantities. Regular pruning is also recommended when keeping containers.
Planting a chestnut in the pot – this is how it works
Choose a sufficiently large and heavy container for your chestnut. If the pot is too light, you can weigh it down with a few stones on the bottom. These also serve as drainage. Mix a little compost (€12.00 on Amazon) or horn shavings into the potting soil as fertilizer. Thorough watering or watering the root ball makes it easier for the chestnut to grow.
The most important things in brief:
- choose a sufficiently large, heavy bucket
- Create drainage layer
- Water the root ball or water the chestnut well
- Mix compost or horn shavings into the soil
Tip
Choose a sufficiently large and heavy planter for a chestnut tree so that it does not tip over easily.
