Willow shrubs grow well in pots. Their woody branches and upright form add privacy and greenery to a deck or balcony. The spring flowers and ornamental foliage add color and visual interest to a deck or look stunning on either side of a front door. These shrubs come in all sizes, so select a cultivar that fits your space and leave the large Willows for your yard.
Photo by Jacki Dougan
Planting Willow in Pots
Spring is an excellent time to plant Willows in pots because the plant will have the entire growing season to acclimate. Place the potted Willow in full sun. Select a container that is two inches larger than the root ball. If you have a decorative pot that is too big, you can grow the Willow in a nursery pot that is the proper size and place it inside the larger container.
Willows like dampness, but too much moisture can damage the roots. Use containers made from plastic or ceramic with drainage holes. Willows can grow in unglazed ceramic or terra cotta, but these materials are porous and allow water to evaporate quickly, so that the plant will need water more often.
Best Soil For Willow in Pots
The best potting mix for Willows is rich, moist, and well-drained. Use soil with a neutral to acidic pH. Avoid placing rocks or anything in the bottom of the pot, which can obstruct the drainage holes and prevent excess water from running through. Spread a layer of mulch around the top of the pot to maintain a tidy appearance and retain moisture. Organic mulch will provide additional nutrients and support growth.
Caring For Willow in Planters
Willows grown in planters have similar care needs as landscape plants. Situate the planter in full sun. Willows can handle partial sun but grow best in increased sunlight. Prune the shrub in early spring, early summer, and late summer to encourage more branching and new growth.
Watering Willow in Pots
Water container-grown Willows when the top couple of inches of potting mix are dry. Plants in full sun will need water more often, possibly daily. Willows thrive in damp, but not soggy conditions, so watering should be increased during periods of drought and high temps.
Fertilizing Willow in Pots
Willows are not heavy feeders; rich soil and organic mulch are often enough to support growth. However, regular watering leaches the nutrients from the potting soil, so potted plants benefit from fertilization throughout the growing season. Feed potted Willow lightly using a balanced plant food every four weeks during the growing season. Alternatively, use a slow-release formula once in the spring.
Winter Care For Willow in Pots
Potted Willow plants need protection from winter weather, especially in cold climates. Move the container to a shed, basement, or garage that stays above freezing. Another option is to dig a hole in an empty garden bed and place the container in the hole to insulate the roots from cold weather.
Growing Willow Indoors
Willows are deciduous shrubs that are dormant during the winter, so they don’t make great houseplants. A potted plant is unlikely to bloom or grow leaves indoors because it needs full sun to thrive, and the conditions inside a home are not suitable to keep it actively growing. If the Willow is borderline hardy in your area, bring it indoors over the winter for protection and move it back outside when temperatures warm in the spring.