The Tropical Tree That Thrives With Indoor Containers And Bears Plenty Of Fruit

Indoor fruit and vegetable gardening doesn't have to be limited to growing herbs on a sunny windowsill or cherry tomatoes in a hydroponics setup. If you're redesigning a sunroom or have a light-filled corner in your kitchen, you can try to grow fruit trees indoors. The June plum (Spondias dulcis) is a tropical tree that's well-suited for indoor container gardening. Originally from Southeast Asia and Polynesia, it's cultivated in tropical countries like Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and Cuba, and Venezuela for its sweet fruit.

June plums grow quickly and begin bearing fruit at a young age from June to August. The plums have a tangy, sweet flavor similar to pineapple. Some describe them as having a creamy, velvety texture. Whether ripe and juicy or unripe and sour, the fruit is best enjoyed straight from the tree. It is also excellent for preserves and pickling. You likely won't find June plums in the produce section at your local grocery store, so why not cultivate your own supply? Dwarf ambarella, a diminutive variety, grows anywhere from just over 3 to 11 feet tall, making it the perfect size for any sunny spot in your house.

Luckily, June plum trees are quite resilient, so growing them indoors is usually simple. These stunning plants thrive in containers in full sun (though they also do okay in partial shade), so place them where they will receive at least four to six hours of sunlight per day. You should water your June plum once or twice a week in the first year after planting. You can increase the frequency for mature plants, but allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Certain conditions need to be met if you want a bounty of fruit. June plum trees will grow in any well-draining soil, though they prefer garden soil that is more acidic to neutral rather than alkaline.

June plums won't tolerate frost, so keeping them indoors protects them from the elements. That being said, indoor temperatures should not rise above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (the plants suffer from sunburn) or dip below 35 degrees Fahrenheit. Applying a balanced slow-release fertilizer every two to three months to young June plum trees will encourage bigger, better harvests. Mature trees can be fertilized up to four times a year. Fertilization during flower and fruit production is especially helpful to the plant, as producing fruit requires an exceptional amount of energy. June plum trees can become root-bound if they've outgrown their container. Monitor your tree's roots and transplant it into a larger container if they become tangled.