Citrus Plants

Take a stroll through the Fort Collins Nursery greenhouse this time of year and find yourself enchanted by the intoxicatingly sweet aroma of our flowering citrus plants. Citrus are popular because of their delicious edible fruit and fragrant flowers. Although native to more tropical environments, citrus do well in indoor containers and are surprisingly easy to care for. Depending on the variety, citrus can grow 6-25’ tall but can be kept smaller with periodic pruning, making them ideal houseplants. They prefer full sunlight and moist, well-drained soil. Stop by and check out our selection that includes lemons, limes, kumquats, oranges, and tangerines. Here are several varieties worth considering:

Calamondin Orange

Citrus × microcarpa

Features: Calamondin orange trees are fantastic plants that are loaded with fragrant flowers followed by a heavy fruit set. The trees produce small, juicy and sour oranges that are thin skinned and have many seeds.  Calamondin oranges are great for making preserves and jellies and for flavoring beverages and cooking recipes.

  • Light: Bright light, can be in full sun outside during the summer.
  • Watering: Evenly moist, well-drained soil.
  • Temperature: Prefers warmer temperatures but tolerate as low as 30°F for short periods.
  • Fertilizer: Use fertilizer specific for citrus.
  • Repotting:  Repot every one to two years to replenish nutrients in the soil.
  • Ease of Care:  Easy.

Meyer Lemon

Citrus × meyeri

Features: Meyer lemons are compact trees that flower in late winter and produce many thin skinned, sweet, juicy lemons. This very popular lemon tree is ideal for growing in containers and is great for juices, fruit salads, desserts, preserves, and with fish.

  • Light:  Bright light, can be in full sun outside during summer.
  • Water:  Evenly moist, well-drained soil.
  • Temperature:  Prefers warmer temperatures, but tolerate as low as 35°F for short periods.
  • Fertilizer: Use fertilizer specific for citrus.
  • Repotting:  Repot every 1-2 years to replenish nutrients in the soil.
  • Ease of Care:  Easy.

Key Lime

Citrus × aurantiifolia

Features:  Features:  The Key Lime is a small, shrubby tree with many thorns. The tree produces small, juicy, thin-skinned greenish-yellow limes that are sweet and tart at the same time. These compact trees are ideal for growing in containers. Also known as Bartender’s Lime, Key Limes are great for cooking, baking and beverages.

  • Light: Bright light, full sun outside in summer.
  • Water: Evenly moist, well-drained soil.
  • Temperature: Prefers warmer temperatures, but tolerate as low as 35°F for short periods.
  • Fertilizer: Use fertilizer specific for citrus.
  • Repotting: Repot every 1-2 years to replenish nutrients in the soil.
  • Ease of Care: Easy.

Originally published on December 28th, 2018. Updated on January 5th, 2024.