How to grow oranges and lemons in the British climate – with and without a greenhouse.
Queen Eleanor of Castille was wife to Edward I of England and missed the oranges of her homeland. Trees were imported for her delectation in the thirteenth century, along with experienced Spanish gardeners to look after them. But it wasn’t for another two hundred years that oranges and lemons were grown by more than a wealthy few.
But did you know that Oranges and Lemons, Limes and Grapefruits are all citrus fruit trees and it is possible to grow all of them yourself? You will need access to suitable indoor space for overwinter, not necessarily a greenhouse.
How to Grow Oranges and Lemons in Pots
Oranges and lemons require both some similar conditions and also some different cultivation treatments. I’ve focussed on general care as this will best suit most people.
Terracotta pots seem to work best for citrus fruit trees. They look gorgeous, but remember the weight factor! Moving the tree and pot with a trolley is advisable but not always possible. For example, if you keep your fruit tree outside in the summer and have to bring it up a flight of steps into the house for winter.
Garden Teacher Tip
- you could just grow small trees – some species are smaller by nature, such as calamondin oranges
- ask a strong friend (or two!) to lift the pot for you
- grow the citrus tree in a plastic pot with a smaller diameter than the large clay pot so you can get your hands in to lift it out. This is still a two person job if a larger tree; best if you’re able to tip the pot onto its side
- and see below for more overwintering tips
Watering Needs
Rain water for preference. If you live in a hard water area try to minimise using it; buy or produce your own distilled water. In soft water areas you can get away with using tap water occasionally.
The roots should not be allowed to become waterlogged as this will cause the foliage to drop off and eventually the tree will die. NB this is also a sign of under watering, although then the flowers and fruits will wither and drop as well.
If fruits are not setting you may need to mist your citrus trees as well as watering them.
How to Grow Oranges and Lemons – Soil preference and Feeding
An acidic soil, round about pH6 is ideal. It should be nutritious and free draining. Heavy clay is not popular with oranges and lemons due to waterlogging issues. If you’re growing your fruit tree in a pot (which is most likely), use a peat free ericaceous potting compost. Add grit or shingle at the bottom to aid drainage.
If you’re growing your fruit tree in a pot (which is most likely), use a peat free ericaceous potting compost. The addition of some neutral – lightly acid soil into your mix seems to be beneficial but isn’t essential. It will add to the overall weight, so this may affect your decision on the mix used. Add grit or shingle at the bottom to aid drainage. Top up with fresh potting compost in spring. Re-pot when needed, which may be every 3-5 years.
Feed during the growing season is the usual recommendation. Of course, when you grow oranges and lemons inside year round, they’re probably putting out fruit and flowers year-round too. Amend the feeding regime so they receive nutrients, but at a lesser rate over the winter months; the plants will be less productive then.
It is possible to buy a summer feed which contains a higher proportion of Nitrogen for leaf growth. And a winter feed which has higher levels of Potassium and Phosphorous to encourage flower and fruit setting.
Pruning
Citrus trees generally need little pruning, even when they’re grown in the ground. When the trees are kept in pots, pruning is most likely to be required if the tree is an awkward shape or outgrowing its allotted space. Oranges and lemons are best pruned in spring as growth becomes more active.
NB: Some oranges and lemons are grown on rootstock. If you notice any shoots growing below the graft cut them off immediately.
Over wintering
Winter temperatures should preferably be between 8 – 15 degrees. Some varieties are more tolerant of lower temperatures than other, but none of them will cope well with being outside in snow and frost. For example, Citrus limon ‘Meyer’ will cope with a few hours at -5 degrees without much damage.
Outdoors
Lemons are the hardiest of the citrus and can stay outside, suitably protected, in many areas of the UK. If you know they’re going to have to stay outside, it’s an idea to raise the pot on feet when you position it. As to protecting your tree overwinter, wrap it in hessian or fleece, both the pot and the top growth.
Or you could make a little greenhouse for it. This can be as simple as using garden canes to make a frame and wrapping the fleece around this. It can give better frost protection than covering the plant itself as there’s then a layer of air between plant and cover which is further protection. If this is too much faff, look for spare covers for plastic patio greenhouses and use this around your citrus tree.
In a shed or garage
Low light levels may be an issue here as citrus trees are evergreen, plus they set flowers and fruits year round. Keep off the floor with layers of cardboard. You can surround the pot with this too or use hessian, etc. Protect the top growth only when harder frost is forecast.
Remember to keep the trees watered but not soaking wet.
Fertilisation
You’ll only need one of any orange or lemon tree tree as they are self-fertile, ie flowering trees will produce fruit. Well, they will produce fruit if you can ensure bees are able to access the flowers.
Citrus Tree Problems
- Mealybug – white clusters in leaf joints
- Red spider mite – spray a fine mist on your citrus tree to reduce this pest
- Scale insects – yellow scales on underside of leaf
For all of these, if seen, use biological and cultural controls. A healthy plant is more able to resist minor infestations.
How to Grow Oranges and Lemons Indoors Year Round
Both oranges and lemons have richly fragrant flowers and bloom for much of the year, often year-round. This makes them a delightful addition to a conservatory. Or indeed, as many people are finding, in your living room.
Keep them away from radiators and draughts. If near a window, leaves shouldn’t be touching the glass. Underfloor heating is sometimes a problem; you may need to play around to find the best solution. For example, sit them in a pebble tray so they can have water but not constantly wet roots.
You may need to move the trees around, rotating cooler and warmer rooms, if you see that they’re suffering from being too hot.
And Outside
In milder areas of Britain, including urban areas that generate their own heat island, you may be able to grow oranges and lemons outside year round. You do not need to go to the extent of those who tried to grow oranges and lemons outside and had to have stoves burning in citrus groves overnight to keep the frost away!
Warm courtyards, sheltered gardens and balconies are all contenders for a good spot. If you’re not sure, try a lemon tree first, as they tend to cope with lower temperatures better than orange trees. See tips above for protecting your outdoor citrus tree.
Garden Teacher Tip
If you intend growing your citrus tree outside in the warm months and inside over winter, be aware that a sudden change in heat and light levels is not good. For example, in the spring, put the tree out on warm days, bringing it in overnight. If you’ve brought them indoors to over winter, a cool-warm, frost free conservatory would be ideal
And finally
If you’d like gardening lessons to learn how to grow oranges and lemons in your own garden or conservatory, we offer a mix of practical sessions and theory in our bespoke Gardening Lessons and Courses. There’s a blog link below plus a pdf download with more info.
Or perhaps you’d like a garden design with pots of oranges, lemons and limes on the terrace or in a Mediterranean styler garden? Do get in touch to ask about our design and consultancy services for a chat and visit to see if we can help with your citrus dream.
For further gardening advice and inspiration, ideas for edible gardens and more, check out Plews Potting Shed blogs, including the selection below and our monthly Tipsheet You could come and find us on Instagram – @plewsgd Pinterest and Facebook too.
And on that note, you can have a peek at my new garden in the (new) Instagram account @spitfiresandslowworms and for those of you who prefer Facebook – Spitfires and Slow Worms
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