How to Grow Citrus at Home
If you think lemons, limes and oranges can only be grown in warm climates like Florida and California, think again!
Citrus plants make great houseplants here in Maine.
In fact, you can even move them outdoors once the threat of frost has passed and enjoy them on decks, porches and patios. Simply remember to bring them back indoors in the fall.
To enjoy the most success with your citrus plants, we recommend the following care instructions:
- All citrus trees require at least 6 hours of sunlight per day, so make sure to place your plants in a sunny location indoors or out.
- Fertilize your citrus plants regularly with a high nitrogen formula. Espoma Organic Cactus, Palm & Citrus Mix is a good choice.
- Remember to water your plant thoroughly, but also don't overwater - allow the surface soil to dry between waterings and use a well-draining container.
- Prune your citrus plants by pinching back the tips of any new growth toward the interior branches. You can also remove any new growth or stems that appear near the soil.
- While citrus trees will adapt to the growing container provided, you will eventually want to transplant into a larger well-draining container once they outgrow the initial container.
- Lastly, unlike many other fruiting trees, citrus are self-pollinating, which means you don't need another plant for pollination.
By following these tips, you'll have your own citrus that you can use to flavor drinks, add aromas to food or eat fresh!