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Growing citrus trees in pots will enrich your culinary and mixology game. You can utilize the juice, pulp, and zest to add depth to a plethora of main courses, side dishes, and desserts. And don't forget the best part, rather, the pièce de résistance, the cocktail (or mocktail if you prefer). This is why we not only love citrus we want to grow our own!
The problem with growing citrus for most of us is that it needs a tropical or a subtropical climate. So, what are our options, and are they not only plausible but easy?
First you want to choose the best citrus trees for growing in pots. The Key Lime and Meyer Lemon are by far the best choices for growing citrus trees in pots.
Key limes, also known as the Mexican lime, is best known for mmmmmm, yep, key lime pie! A key lime is a small fruit and a small plant (it's actually a shrubby dwarf tree). It can produce many fruit even when kept as small as 2 feet in a planter. This makes the key lime one of the best dwarf fruit trees to grow in containers and by far the best choice amongst limes.
The Meyer lemon tree is not only the number one indoor citrus performer, but it is the number one fruit tree for containers. The fruit is delicious too. Sweeter than traditional lemons, but still with that desired hint of tartness, the Meyer lemon is a hit in any citrus recipe! This prized dwarf citrus tree is the easiest to grow in a pot and offers fragrant blooms and yummy fruit up to 4 times per year!
Meyer Lemon tree care is not complicated if you provide their 3 main needs: sun, water, and food. I will add in a section about pollination...I've never had to do this but many swear by it. It can't hurt, and it could certainly increase fruit production and maybe even fruit quality. So I will broach this topic FYI, especially for those of you trying to grow citrus trees in pots indoors 100% of the time.
Natural sunlight is best for growing citrus and the more the better. You'll be able to get some flowers and fruit with at least 6 hours of full sun, but if you can get more, like 8 or 10, you will have even better results. In my experience the Meyer lemon tree truly does seem to produce better than other citrus even at the lower end of sunlight (6 hours). With the key lime tree, aim for more like at least 7 or 8 hours for good results.
Southern or south-western windows or glass doors will provide the ideal spot for growing citrus indoors.
I have had some success with good quality full spectrum grow lights. If you use just a basic lamp with a single bulb you will likely need one per tree when growing multiples citrus trees. I hung mine about 12 to 18 inches from my trees. But your Meyer lemons and key limes will be happiest in natural sunlight.
It is a great option for most areas of the US to grow citrus outdoors until temps begin dipping below 40 degrees. Once this occurs move your citrus trees in pots indoors until temperatures begin to warm up again. Since your tree will be use to the protected indoor climate, shoot for around 50 degrees when moving citrus trees in pots back outside.
The key to watering is making sure your potting soil/medium drains well. Our organic potting mix is a great option. PittMoss Organic Potting Mix is another excellent option and has added benefits like increased nutrient absorption and water retention. Citrus trees in pots do not like wet roots so be sure the soil has dried down to about 2 inches before watering.
Citrus plants like humid environments. In fact, this is one of the main reasons I see for citrus struggling indoors. Mist the leaves once or twice daily depending on the humidity level in your home. This is especially crucial in winter when we are running heat. I have also kept my pots elevated on saucers that were lined with rocks and filled with water to add humidity to the air. Just be sure the water line is below your pot so you avoid keeping the soil saturated. If you want to get fancy and spoil you Meyer lemon and key lime plants you can even get a humidifier.
Meyer lemon trees and key lime trees love fertilizer. When plants are grown in containers, the fertilizer leaches out of the pot when watered so you need to feed them more often than plants in the ground. Keep this in mind when fertilizing your citrus. Fertilize your potted citrus with our balanced slow release fertilizer when planting, the end of winter, early summer and again in fall. Espoma Citrus tone is a great choice. They even have specific instructions on the bag for citrus trees in pots.
First off, citrus trees are self fertile. So you only need one plant to get fruit. When you grow fruiting plants inside you could, of course, have a reduction of pollination because you tend to have stagnant air and a lack of insects. The way to remedy a lack of fertilization is to BE THE BEE! Simply take a paint brush or even a Q-tip, whatever you have on hand and gently brush from flower to flower. You are moving the pollen from the stamen to the stigma, but don't get caught up in the specifics and the terminology. It's easy. Gently brushing from flower to flower will do the job. Do this once daily while your tree is flowering for best results.
Well that pretty much covers growing citrus trees in pots. You have all the tools in your tool belt to go forth and grow your very own citrus no matter where you live! Growing your Meyer lemon tree and your key lime tree indoors is a pretty fun hobby. The flowers are lovely and fragrant. The plants are beautiful and enjoyable to watch in all their stages from bud to flower to fruit. Even when your citrus tree isn't producing the leaves, it helps clean your air and add color and life to your home. But harvesting your own citrus is the very best part. Just think about it; fresh Meyer lemonade, Key lime pie, and so much more! The possibilities are endless! So go get started and order your own Meyer Lemon or Key Lime today! With a little love and patience you can enjoy fruit in the very first year!
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The best time of the year to transplant trees and plants is autumn. This is because of cool temperatures and warm moist soil. Plants also require less energy as they begin enter the early stages of dormancy. They are no longer focusing on above ground growth. This is perfect for root establishment which is just what you want.
