Growing citrus indoors takes patience, pays off handsomely

Interest in growing edibles and diverse plants has helped make citrus trees more popular and available, Rhoades said. (Pixabay photo)

When Heather Rhoades bought her first indoor orange tree nearly 20 years ago, she had to order it from a specialty online retailer. Now, it’s not uncommon to find citrus trees at local gardening centres or big box stores, said Rhoades, owner of Gardening Know How , an online resource based in Bedford, Ohio.

Interest in growing edibles and diverse plants has helped make citrus trees more popular and available, Rhoades said. Would-be growers can find a variety of lemon, lime and orange trees from which to choose.

“It’s easier for people to get a hold of citrus trees and they’re more willing to try to grow them,” she said.

“Try” might be the operative word, added Missy Henriksen of the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Growing citrus takes patience.

The trend toward bringing citrus and other tropical plants indoors began with commercial spaces but has been gaining traction among homeowners as well, she said.

“‘Interior landscaping is growing in popularity, and the use of tropical plants and citrus trees originates with the growing desire of homeowners to create beautiful ‘interiorscapes’ that are more exotic and dramatic than your typical houseplants,” she said.

Dwarf fruit varieties, such as the calamondin orange, Tahitian orange, tangerine, kumquat, Meyer lemon and Kaffir lime are the best choices for growing indoors.

“Keep in mind, however, citrus trees are not for everyone,” Henriksen said. “They’re best suited for homeowners who are willing to devote the time and attention these plants need to thrive, or who can hire a landscape professional to regularly tend to their plants.”

Start by selecting a healthy plant, Rhoades said. Look for a tree with rich, glossy leaves. A citrus plant that’s dropping leaves has likely not been watered properly, she said. Avoid trees that look “leggy,” she said.

Next, make sure the container is large enough for the roots to grow, Henriksen said. Finally, place the tree in a spot where it will receive plenty of sun. You may want to supplement its exposure to light by using a grow lamp, she said.

Research the tree’s water needs and follow them closely, said Rhoades.

But check the soil each time before watering. “Check it on a schedule,” she said. “Don’t water it on a schedule.”

Sometimes it’s better to just mist the leaves with a spray bottle than to water the tree, said Barbara Pierson of White Flower Farm in Litchfield, Connecticut.

It’s also a good idea to move citrus trees outdoors during warm weather, said Greg Gatlin, interior account manager atSouthern Botanical in Dallas. They can be outdoors as long as temperatures don’t dip below 50 degrees. When moving trees between the indoors and outdoors, make sure the temperature does not vary more than 15 degrees, as that can shock the plant.

Fertilizer also is important, Pierson said. She recommends using fertilizer designed for citrus. If that’s not available, use regular fertilizer, but make it with half the amount of fertilizer to the recommended amount of water. Fertilize once a month when the plants are indoors and twice a month when they are outdoors.

“If you don’t feed, the plants are going show it,” she said.

If cared for properly, the plants will eventually produce small amounts of fruit, though that may not be the biggest reward, the experts said.

For Rhoades, the citrus blossoms are the payoff.

“The flowers are literally intoxicating,” she said. “Your house smells wonderful.”

For others, the trees offer a sense of escape, Gatlin said. “People want to bring more of that vacation feel to their homes,” he said. “If you can’t take that trip to the islands at least you can experience part of it by having the plants around.”

If citrus trees sound like too much work, there are low-maintenance tropical plants that can create the same effect, Henriksen said. Palm trees, including the lady palm, kentia palm, fishtail palm and parlour palm, can be grown in containers, and often transition well between indoor and outdoor spaces all year.

“While most of us are attracted to plants because of their beauty, the message is slowly starting to get out that there are benefits to having plants indoors,” Henriksen said. “They increase oxygen levels, help purify the air by removing toxins and improve your mood. As many people prioritize natural elements as part of healthy living styles, plants are often an under-utilized home enhancement that packs a powerful punch of health benefits.”

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DO’S AND DON’TS OF INDOOR CITRUS TREES

Do fertilize.

Do keep citrus in a spot indoors that gets lots of sun.

Do check the moisture of the soil regularly.

Do check the roots each spring to see if the plant requires a larger pot. Change pots when the roots ae circling the bottom of the container or coming out of the bottom.

Don’t over-water.

Don’t put the trees in full sun when moving them outdoors, as the leaves will burn.

Don’t expose them to swings in temperature.

Don’t prune them too hard.