Growing citrus plants

Whether you grow luscious lemons or ornate oranges, Steve and Val Bradley explain how to keep your potted citrus plants in tip-top condition throughout the year

- Steve and Val Bradley

WITH their glossy leaves and highly fragrant flowers, citrus are popular indoor plants. Even the foliage is scented and they are ideal plants as natural air fresheners, especially if you are allergic to artificial ones.

Citrus come in many sizes and prices, from under £10 to hundreds for an older plant. Varieties include kumquat, orange, lemon, calamondin and lime. Some have full-sized edible fruit, while others are small and bitter, although they can be added to marmalade for extra tang.

Growing outside

The large range of cultivars means some types have vastly different requirements regarding temperature and hardiness to others. Japanese yuzu can tolerate temperatures of -10°C for short periods, while the red lime (Citrus limetta rossa) can only tolerate temperatures down to 5°C for short periods and much prefers a warm room. Almost all benefit from a period growing outside in the summer and they need plenty of natural light all year – the more, the better.

A lot of the plants on sale have been grafted onto a rootstock 1-1½ft (30-45cm) above the compost and many come from southern Europe where they are grown in soil or soil-based compost, which is why the containers are heavy.