Indoor Citrus Plants

November 16, 2024 Post a Comment

Indoor citrus plants

Some citrus grows better than others indoors. The sour types — like lemons and limes — don't need as much sun to sweeten their fruit as oranges do. Choose Meyer lemon, lime, sour orange, grapefruit, kumquat, mandarin and limequat. Dwarf varieties that have been bred to do well in small spaces and containers are best.

Will citrus trees fruit indoors?

Because most citrus doesn't require cross pollination to be productive (although it may increase fruit size), they will set fruit on a single plant indoors. Potted trees often set much more fruit than the tree can support, so fruit drop is very common.

Do citrus plants like to be misted?

Keeping humidity high for your citrus is especially important indoors in the winter. Misting your plants once or twice a day during the cold months will keep the foliage lush and help to ward off insects. You will want to keep your citrus moderately moist but not soggy.

Do citrus plants need direct sunlight?

Citrus trees need a minimum of 6-8 hours of full, direct sunlight daily or they will not produce as well. If they are being grown indoors or in an area without enough natural light, supplemental grow lights will be necessary for the best results.

Which citrus grows best indoors?

Tangerine, lemon, kumquat and small orange trees can be grown as houseplants. Citrus plants grow best indoors at 65° during the day, dropping five to ten degrees at night. Plant in soil containing a fair amount of organic matter. Make sure the leaves are kept clean by periodically washing them.

Can a citrus tree survive indoors?

Regardless of your climate, you can grow a container lemon tree indoors and enjoy your own homegrown lemons. Growing indoor lemons isn't hard as long as you choose the right tree and meet its special needs. These basics on how to grow and care for an indoor lemon tree can have you drinking lemonade in no time.

Do you need 2 citrus trees to produce fruit?

There is always a lot of confusion about fruit trees, and how exactly to make sure they carry fruit. Some, like apples, need another variety to pollinate them, but citrus do not. Just one tree will produce a big crop, with no need for a second one of a different variety.

How long do potted citrus trees live?

For most citrus trees, the average lifespan of a growing tree is 50 years. This applies to lemon, orange, and even dwarf citrus trees. Fruit production generally begins between ages 2 and 5. Most trees will produce throughout their entire life once they reach maturity.

How long can citrus trees live in pots?

How Long Do Lemon Trees live In Containers? Lemon trees can live almost as long in containers as in the ground. For long container life, repot the tree into a larger container every one to one-and-a-half years.

What are the signs of overwatering a citrus tree?

A tree with yellow or cupped leaves, or leaves that don't look perky AFTER watering can indicate excessive watering and soggy roots. Give your tree water less often. Citrus prefer infrequent, deep watering to frequent, shallow sprinklings.

Should I remove curled citrus leaves?

If this happens, you can cut off the damaged leaves and new growth should appear in the spring. Too warm temperatures can also cause citrus leaf curl. In the summer, excessive heat can cause the plant to become dehydrated and curl its leaves as a result of a lack of water.

How cold is too cold for potted citrus?

Sour or- ange, tangerines and tangelos, sweet and navel oranges and grapefruit trees are partially cold hardy, and may survive temperatures as low as 20ºF without significant damage. Lemon, lime and citron trees are the least cold tolerant and will suffer at least some damage when tem- peratures drop below 25ºF.

How often should citrus in pots be watered?

Potted citrus need to be watered two to three times a week. In very hot or windy weather, particularly if this type of weather occurs when your tree is in flower or forming small fruit, it may need daily watering. Always make sure the water soaks into the potting mix and doesn't simply run through without soaking in.

How often should I water citrus plants?

Generally, irrigate when the top few inches of the soil are dry and the rest of the root zone is slightly moist. Young trees should be irrigated at least every 5 to 10 days during the summer months, or more frequently if the root system dries out, and more frequently in hot, dry and windy conditions.

How often should I water my potted citrus tree?

In General, deeply water newly planted young citrus trees about once or twice per week for most of the year. Water more often in sandy soils and when the weather is hot and windy. Reduce the frequency to weekly in clay soils during the winter.

What is the easiest fruit tree to grow indoors?

12 Fruit Trees You Can Grow Indoors

Meyer Lemon. The Citrus × meyeri is a well known indoor citrus tree that produces deliciously sweet lemons.
Calamondin Orange. The × Citrofortunella microcarpa is a hardy citrus that does especially well indoors. ...
Goji Berries. ...
Dwarf Banana. ...
Avocado. ...
Mulberry Tree. ...
Kumquat. ...
Apricot Tree.

What is the easiest fruit plant to grow indoors?

Best Fruit to Grow Indoors #1: Meyer Lemon This lemon plant needs a higher humidity level than is found in a typical home, so we recommend placing it near a humidifier. Putting a pebble tray under the pot could help, too.

How long does it take for a lemon tree to bear fruit indoors?

Another thing to keep in mind: Most lemon trees do not bear fruit until they are three to four years old.

Do citrus trees grow well in pots?

A new citrus tree will grow fine in an 8-inch diameter container to start. Two to three year old trees will need a 10 to 12 inch diameter container. Eventually, you'll need a 16 to 20 gallon container or one-half whiskey barrel-sized container for long term growth. Select plastic, terra cotta, or wooden containers.

How do you keep citrus alive in the winter?

Winter Indoor Citrus Care

Lower the room temperature. These trees go semi-dormant in winter and do best with a room temperature of 58-68 degrees.
Consider supplemental lighting. ...
Rotate the plant regularly. ...
Fertilize monthly. ...
Improve air circulation. ...
Water properly. ...
Watch for pests.