Growing Citrus in Pots While citrus trees are not typically well-suited to life as houseplants, there are a few varieties that can be grown successfully in containers. However, it's important to note that these trees will not be as healthy or produce as much fruit as trees grown in optimal conditions in the ground. The best citrus trees for container growing are smaller varieties such as calamondin, lime, kumquat, lemon, and limequat. These trees will only thrive in pots for a limited time, so it's important to choose a container that is large enough to allow for proper growth, but small enough to be easily moved indoors during cold weather. When choosing a container for your citrus tree, it's important to select a material that has adequate drainage holes to prevent excess water from building up. This will help ensure that your tree stays healthy and happy.

Potting Soil

Potting soil is suitable for growing citrus in containers, but you can also create your own mix by combining one part sand, one part peat moss, and one part composted bark. When planting your tree, set it at the same depth it was previously growing at, and leave 1-4 inches of space below the rim of the container for watering. After planting, water your tree thoroughly and add a mulch of bark, gravel, or another attractive material to the surface of the soil.

Light

Exposure Citrus trees thrive in full sunlight, but if you're growing your tree in a container, it's best to provide partial shade to help it acclimate to being brought indoors during cold weather. Avoid extremely low light levels, as this can cause your tree to become leggy and unattractive. When moving your citrus tree between indoor and outdoor environments, be sure to acclimate it gradually to prevent excessive leaf drop. This can be done by gradually reducing the amount of light it receives over a period of 2-4 weeks. If your tree will only be indoors for a few days during freezes, acclimation is not necessary.