Citrus trees make interesting and attractive indoor and patio plants. They provide year-round interest, with fragrant white flowers, followed by small fruits, which take 4-6 months to reach full size. The fruits can be picked at any time after ripening, and will retain their flavour on the tree for several months. The miniature-fruited Calamondin tree makes an excellent houseplant for a windowsill, while the larger-fruited varieties are ideal for conservatories and greenhouses, or any light position which has adequate room to accommodate their growth.

Flowers and Fruit: Generally flowering takes place between March and May, but may occur several times in the year with fruit setting each time. An enormous number of fragrant flowers appear, but only about 1% will set on the large trees (more than this would overload the branches when the fruit reaches full size). Calamondins and kumquats and some lemons, especially Meyer, set a higher percentage of fruit and may even have to be thinned to avoid weighing the branches down too much. Dry, hot conditions will not favour fruit set, which can be improved by misting the flowers.

Pollination: Most citrus trees are self-pollinating. Not even requiring insects to help out with the exception of some mandarines where cross-pollination with an orange improves the yield.

Heat: Most citrus trees can tolerate temperatures down to 0°C (even -5°C for short periods). They must not freeze but a cool period is useful over the winter to rest. They are also tolerant of high temperatures, but prefer to be at neither extreme for too long. Owners are often unaware of just how hot their conservatory or greenhouse can become on sunny days and of the stress this can cause to their plants and trees. A min/max thermometer is a must for measuring temperatures when no-one is around. Central heating can put the trees under stress in winter, and ideally they do better in a cool room or conservatory, rather than a warm living room.

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Plant Passport Registration number UKEW102171