Yews are not only very popular as individual trees or in hedges. The robust conifers can also be grown in containers. However, they require a little more attention than in the wild. What do you need to consider when caring for a yew tree in a pot?
How do you care for a yew tree in a pot?
A yew tree in a pot requires a partially shaded location, a deep and wide pot with a drainage hole, normal garden soil enriched with compost, regular watering without waterlogging, fertilizing and cutting once or twice a year and occasional repotting.
Planting and caring for yew in a pot
Yews are very slow-growing trees, which is why you can also plant them in pots. They last quite a long time in one pot and don't need to be replanted as often.
It is important to have a good place where you put the bucket. The location should not be too sunny but should not be directly in the shade either. The yew tree forgives an unfavorable location, but then grows even more slowly or tends to have brown needles.
The right pot
Yews are deep-rooted, but they also develop many small, superficial roots. The bucket should be a little deeper and as wide as possible so that the yew tree feels comfortable in it.
A drainage hole is absolutely necessary, as yew trees cannot tolerate waterlogging at all. Create drainage of sand and stones in the soil before planting the yew tree.
Which substrate is suitable?
Normal garden soil is suitable as a substrate, which you can enrich with mature compost, a little lime or horn shavings. If necessary, you can also buy conifer soil (€10.00 at Amazon) from a gardening store.
Care for yew in the pot
- Water regularly
- Avoid waterlogging
- fertilize once or twice a year
- cut twice a year
- repotting
You need to water yews in pots more often so that the soil never dries out completely. But avoid waterlogging. Place them in the saucer so that you can pour off excess water straight away.
You should fertilize with mature compost or special fertilizer for yew trees. This is best done in spring. You don't have to cut the yew tree. But if you care for them in a spherical shape, you should use scissors at least twice a year.
The yew tree only needs to be repotted when the roots grow out of the drainage hole at the bottom.
Tip
Yew trees are poisonous, in almost all parts of the plant. If you have children or pets, it is better to avoid a yew tree in the garden or in a pot.