How to Care for a Citrus Tree: Lemons, Limes and Calamondins

With their glossy evergreen leaves, sweetly scented flowers and bright fruit, citrus trees bring a little sunshine to a conservatory, porch or patio all year round.

They aren't difficult to grow, but they aren't hardy in Britain, and most problems come from one thing: the wrong spot in winter. Get that right, and a lemon or calamondin tree will keep going for years. Here's how to care for a citrus tree in the UK.

Which Citrus Tree?

All the citrus trees we sell are grown in pots, and they're all self-fertile, so a single tree can fruit on its own.

• Meyer lemon: one of the more forgiving citrus trees, and a good one to start with.
• Calamondin: a compact little orange tree covered in small, bright fruit. Also one of the easier citrus to grow.
• Limes, including Kaffir lime, grown for its fragrant leaves: these are the fussiest citrus, so give them the brightest, most sheltered spot you have.

Winter: Bring It Indoors

Citrus trees aren't hardy in Britain, so they need to come indoors to a bright, frost-free place from about October until May. The best spots are:

• a conservatory
• a bright porch
• a cool greenhouse kept free of frost
• a cool, bright room, close to a window and away from radiators

The key is a cool, bright winter. A warm, dark room is what kills most citrus trees, so don't tuck yours away in a corner of a heated living room.

Summer: Move It Outside

Once the risk of frost has passed, usually from May, move your citrus tree outside for the summer. Give it the sunniest, most sheltered spot you have, such as a south-facing patio. Bring it back in from about October, before the first frosts.

Watering

Citrus trees do best with rainwater rather than hard tap water, so keep a water butt or a few watering cans of rainwater handy if you can.

• Water when the top of the compost starts to feel dry, then let the excess drain away.
• Water much less in winter, when the tree is growing slowly.
• Never leave the pot standing in water. Raise it on pot feet outdoors, and empty saucers indoors.

Feeding

Citrus trees need a feed made specially for citrus. General plant feeds don't give them what they need, and a hungry citrus tree soon shows it in its leaves. Follow the instructions on the pack.

Repotting

The best time to repot is in spring, in April or May. Move the tree into a pot just a little bigger than its current one, with drainage holes, and use a free-draining compost. Keep it at the same depth it was growing before.

For more on growing trees in containers, see how to plant trees in pots.

Flowers and Fruit

Citrus trees can flower at almost any time of year, and the flowers have a beautiful sweet scent. Because they're self-fertile, the flowers can set fruit without a second tree. It's common to see flowers, small green fruit and ripe fruit on the same tree at once.

Common Citrus Problems

• Leaves dropping in winter: usually a sign the tree is too warm and too dark. Move it somewhere cooler and brighter.
• Yellowing leaves: often caused by hard tap water or a lack of citrus feed. Switch to rainwater and feed with a citrus feed.
• Dropping leaves after a frost: the tree was left out too late. Bring citrus in from about October.

Safety Note

Lemon and lime can irritate skin in sunlight, so wash your hands after handling the leaves or fruit on a sunny day. Citrus trees are also harmful to pets if eaten.

Citrus Tree Care: Your Questions Answered

Can a lemon tree stay outside in winter in the UK?

No. Citrus trees aren't hardy in Britain. Bring them indoors to a bright, frost-free place from about October until May.

Where should I keep my lemon tree in winter?

Somewhere cool and bright, such as a conservatory, porch or cool greenhouse. Avoid warm, dark rooms and spots next to radiators.

Why is my lemon tree dropping its leaves?

In winter, the most common cause is a spot that's too warm and too dark. Move it somewhere cooler and brighter, and water less.

Do I need two citrus trees to get fruit?

No. Citrus trees are self-fertile, so one tree can fruit on its own.

Sunshine All Year

With a cool, bright spot for winter, a sunny patio for summer, rainwater and a citrus feed, your citrus tree will reward you with scented flowers and colourful fruit for years. Browse our full range of citrus trees, or see our guide to olive tree care.

Our garden plants are grown in Britain by growers we know, including the Yorkshire nursery that grows most of them. We check every plant by hand before it's packed, and send it out ready for your garden.