Can I Grow Grapes in a Pot?

Soil Quality and Watering

• A grapevine that is potted has less soil to grow its roots into and consequently has less access to nutrients. You can mitigate this to some extent by using a high-quality fertilizer and maintaining a soil pH between 5.0 and 6.0 by using lime to reduce soil acidity. Grapes do not like wet feet, meaning constantly wet soil is not ideal for grape growth and can cause the fruit to burst. Keep the soil damp, and prevent root binding by re-potting your vine in fresh soil each season.

Support and Location

• A grapevine grown traditionally usually has a trellis, wire system, or pergola or arbor for structural support. Grapevines are quite brittle, especially the immature green shoots. Growing a grapevine in a pot may seem like a great way to keep a vine that can be moved in case of bad weather. This is not quite true, however, as your vine will need to be tied to lattice or a porch soffit in order to prevent snapping in wind. When you choose a place to put your potted grapevine, consider it a permanent location, as moving your pot will likely require pruning your vine back substantially and resetting the clock on fruit production.

Pruning

• Pruning is important for fruit production on grapevines, be they traditionally planted or planted in a pot. Keep your potted vine pruned to a trunk with two "arms" or offshoots from the main trunk, each no longer than 8 to 10 feet. Reducing the amount of energy your vine needs to expend in growing leaves and vine increases the available stores for root growth and, eventually, fruit production.

Timeline

• A grapevine growing naturally and allowed to spread its roots over a large area will take two to three years to produce fruit. You may find that your vine, restricted to a smaller area and with reduced access to nutrients and water, takes substantially longer. You will, however, quickly have large amounts of greenery and vine growth.