How to Care for a Dwarf Citrus Fruit Tree

Dwarf citrus trees produce full-sized fruit

Dwarf citrus includes varieties of lemon, lime, orange and grapefruit. Dwarf citrus can be grown indoors in cooler climates or outside in zone 9 to 11. Indoors they grow to 3 to 5 feet tall, but outside can reach 12 to 20 feet, depending on the variety. Most citrus trees have glossy, evergreen leaves and fragrant, white blossoms. Here are some best practices for caring for dwarf citrus fruit trees both indoors and outdoors.

Things You'll Need

• Large growing container
• Organic rich soil
• Fertilizer
• Sharp garden shears
• Garden gloves
• Humidifier or misting bottle
• Insecticidal soap or insecticide
• Ladybugs

Instructions

Growing Your Citrus Indoors

1. Plant your citrus tree in a large container with good drainage. Wider pots are better than deep pots as citrus trees have shallow roots. Make sure you use an organic, rich, well-draining soil as roots will rot in standing water.

2. Water your dwarf citrus tree when the first 2 to 3 inches of soil is dry. Citrus trees need humidity they will not find inside. Spray or mist your citrus tree at least weekly or place a humidifier close by.

3. Provide at least six hours of sunlight as dwarf citrus trees need light to produce flowers and subsequently fruit. Place your tree in a room with a south-facing window and provide supplemental fluorescent lights if necessary. Rotate your tree at regular intervals to assure it receives even light.

4. Fertilize your indoor citrus tree with fertilizer every three to four months. Too much fertilizer will cause scorching or browning of the leaf tips. Always water well after fertilizing.

5. Pollinate your citrus tree to assure a good harvest. With a paintbrush or cotton swab, rub the inside of the flower, collecting the yellow pollen. Transfer the pollen to another flower, continuing until you're done with the plant.

6. Prune your citrus to maintain its shape. Cut off any suckers or shoots growing under the graft line as these will rob your tree of nutrients. To promote circulation, remove dead branches and any branches growing toward the trunk. Frequent light pruning is better than heavy pruning.

7. Check for insects or disease. Even indoor citrus trees can fall prey to spider mites or mealy bugs. These feed on the sap of your citrus tree and can cause sooty mold to form. Washing the leaves of the tree with an insecticidal soap helps eliminate infestations.

Growing Your Citrus Outdoors

1. Place your citrus tree where it will receive full sun but watch the soil temperature. Though the citrus tree needs at least six hours of sun daily, if the container gets direct sun, the soil can overheat and kill your citrus tree.

2. Water your citrus tree when the first 2 to 3 inches of soil is dry. During hot weather this might mean watering daily.

3. Fertilize your indoor citrus tree with fertilizer every month during the growing season and every two to three months while dormant.

4. Check for insects or disease. Aphids feed on the sap of your citrus tree and can cause sooty mold to form. Purchase ladybugs, which prey on aphids and are a natural solution to this problem. If infestation is severe, spray your citrus tree with an insecticide.

Tips & Warnings

• Prune your outdoor citrus tree the same as your indoor tree.

• In cold climates you can move your citrus tree outside in the summer and return it to your home in the fall before the first expected freeze.

• If you move your citrus tree outdoors in the summer, do so gradually. Place it outside at the same time every day at slowly lengthening intervals or the tree will experience shock and you will see leaf drop and poor fruit formation.

• Citrus trees that experience temperatures below 55 degrees F. will go dormant.

References

• Purdue University Consumer Horticulture: Yard and Garden News: Growing Citrus Indoors in Cool Climates
• Plant-Care: House Plants: Calamondin Citrus
• Gone Gardening: House Plants: Care of Citrus
• Colorado State University: Citrus Trees: An Ideal Indoor Plant Selection
• Gardening Know How: Fertilizing Citrus Trees: Best Practices For Citrus Fertilizing