Can Almond Trees Grow Indoors [And How To]? (Quick Guide For Beginners)

Almond trees are great additions to a home garden. The tree is an ornamental shrub that provides healthy nuts. If you want to grow inside your home, you must be careful and dedicated to caring for the tree. In this article, you will learn to grow almond trees indoors.

It is possible to grow almond trees inside your home. You will need to choose the right size of pots for the trees to thrive. Also, prepare the soil with the right pH level. Almond trees love the full sun, so you need to expose them to plenty of sunlight while indoors.

You will take care of the almond trees for several years before they bear fresh almond nuts. It is critical to observe the right conditions for the tree to produce abundantly. Continue reading to discover the tips so you can plant almond trees indoors. 

Can You Grow Almond Trees Indoors?

Yes, you can grow almond trees inside your home. During the winter, you can also place the trees inside to protect them from frost. However, trees kept indoors will grow more slowly and produce less than those grown outside. If that is not a concern, you can proceed to plant the tree indoors. 

You need to carefully plan if you want to plant indoors because the conditions and requirements are different from outdoors. 

Below are the things to consider when planting almond trees indoors.

1. Type Of Soil 

Good soil is vital for the growth of trees. You should plant the almond trees on sandy or loamy soil that is fertile and well-draining. In addition, the soil pH level should be around 6.5. For convenience, you can buy new store-bought soil.

If you want to be sure of the soil, you can conduct a pathogen test. Almond trees are vulnerable to verticillium wilt, so you need to avoid soil with this fungus.

It is also imperative that you add the appropriate fertilizer to the soil. Almond trees need lots of nitrogen and phosphorus to grow fully. You should give the right balance of high-quality slow-release fertilizer at the right intervals.

2. Size Of The Pot

You only have limited space if you grow the trees indoors. Containers like pots will help you keep the tree inside. You need pots that can hold at least 10-20 gallons.

It will help that you plan a layout where you place the pots. As the tree grows, it can become too heavy to move. So, you need to check if the proposed location benefits the tree. 

Remember that the pots should have enough drain holes to manage the excess water.

You can learn about other great indoor trees in our article: 15 Fruit Trees You Can Grow In Pots at Home.

3. Sun Exposure

Almond trees are full sun lovers. If outdoors, they need at least 6 hours per day to produce abundant blooms and nuts. If indoors, you can place the tree near a window to receive sunlight. If it is still insufficient, you can improvise to create artificial lights.

Placing the plant in partial shade is alright, but the production can be slow and less abundant. The tree might struggle to mature. 

4. Water Requirements

The tree needs consistent deep watering to establish itself. After planting, give at least a gallon of water to hydrate the soil.

Young trees need 2-3 inches of water regularly. The same requirement applies to mature ones but every week. Watering in the spring will help the tree bloom. The tree needs more watering during fall and summer.

Even if the plant needs lots of water, you should not leave the pot to stand in water. Over-watering can lead to root rots.

You can learn more about this topic in our article: How Often Should You Water An Indoor Tree?

What Kind Of Almond Trees Can You Plant Indoors?

It is crucial that you choose the right almond tree variety to plant indoors. Here are the varieties to choose from:

• Carmel - Homeowners love this small almond variety because it will grow well in limited spaces. 
• Garden Price - If you only want to plant one tree indoors, you can choose this dwarf and self-pollinating variety.
• Neplus Ultra - The nuts are long and have a soft shell. You can harvest the nuts in August or September.
• Texas Mission - This variety tolerates most soil types but produces short nuts. 

Almond trees will take longer to become mature and produce the healthy nuts everyone loves. It is possible to grow them from seeds, but it is much easier if you can get tree seedlings to minimize the years of waiting. 

After you have chosen your preferred almond variety, read to learn how to grow the trees indoors. 

Planting Almond Trees Indoors

Once you are ready, you can now plant the almond trees. Follow the process below to guide you:

1. Fill your pot with soil.
2. Dig around 1-2 inches if you start from the seed. For a transplant, create a hole 2 times wider than the root ball diameter. 
3. Place the seed. Lay the transplant on the same depth when it was from a nursery. 
4. After placing the seed or transplant, fill the portion with soil. Make the soil firm to prevent air pockets.

It is easy to plant, but you must also provide the proper care for the almond trees to yield more. 

How To Take Care Of Almond Trees Indoors

If you are growing indoors, these tips will help your almond trees flourish:

• Provide water for the trees regularly. Water the young ones at least once a week. Avoid soaking the soil to avoid root rot.
• Give fertilizer to the trees during spring. Established and fruiting trees need a one-time treatment of urea.
• Keep pests away from the tree by spraying a suitable pesticide to protect the plants. If you can, examine the plant daily, especially the leaves where pests love to feed.  
• Use sanitized tools to minimize the spread of bacteria and other microorganisms when pruning with the plant.

Pruning The Almond Trees

Pruning the trees is beneficial if growing indoors. You can improve the tree's health and stimulate growth. The tree will grow upward by trimming and shaping it.

You should prune at the end of summer and the start of fall. Remove the dead and damaged branches often as needed. Any branches crossing each other are also a candidate for pruning. 

If the tree is in the dormant season, you need to prune limbs that interfere with irrigation. Also, prune the vigorous roots on the center and secondary limbs to improve air circulation.

When Is The Best Time To Plant Almond Trees In Pots?

It is best to plant the almond trees during their dormant period. You can plant during winter, but ensure that the soil does not have too much water or has frozen. Planting at any time of the year is also practicable.

If you have a bare-root transplant, you should plant between late autumn to early spring.

How Big Can Almond Trees Grow Indoors?

A mature almond tree has an average height of 12-20 feet and can grow up to 30 feet.

The almond trees best suited for indoor gardening are dwarf varieties. So if you plant the tree indoors and in pots, it won't grow too high, around 4-5 feet. 

As your tree grows tall, it also needs more space. You need to change the pots to accommodate the roots.

At What Temperature Do Almond Trees Grow Well Indoors?

The US hardiness zones that are suitable for outdoor almond trees are zones 7-9. Both indoor and outdoor almond trees like temperatures ranging from 75-80°Fahrenheit during their growing season.

Winter is a challenge for the almond trees. The plant does not like the frost. If you have the trees outside in pots, you can bring them inside.

If already inside, you can place them in a sunny position near a window. Take note that you should avoid placing the trees near drafty windows or air-conditioning vents.

In Summary

Growing almond trees indoors is possible if you prepare the site conditions and provide what it needs. Although indoor planting is feasible, your tree will yield less than if planted outside.

You must consider the soil, pot, location, and water requirements to help the tree survive indoors. 

Planting the trees in pots is convenient due to the limited space inside your home. You should also allow the tree to get the proper nutrients and sun exposure.

Although the trees will not be as tall as those planted outside, you should still take care of them. Wait for a few years, and you will establish a bountiful source of healthy almond nuts from your home.

You can read more about planting indoors from these posts:

What Fruit Can You Grow Indoors?

11 Low Maintenance Indoor Trees To Consider