How to Successfully Grow Citrus in Containers

By: Angela Judd | January 13, 2025

This post has been a reader favorite since I published it in 2022. It was updated with growing tips and new information about citrus suckers in January 2025.

The varieties of citrus I want to grow outnumber the spots I have available for planting. Luckily, citrus grows very well in containers. Through the years, I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t. Learn how to grow citrus in containers with these tips, and in no time, you will be a container citrus growing pro!

Article Index:

Why grow citrus in containers?

Choose the best container for planting citrus
Plant citrus at the right time
Select citrus varieties that grow well in containers
Use the correct type of soil
Choose the best location
Plant your citrus tree correctly
Citrus in containers will need more frequent watering
Feed your citrus regularly
Prune container-grown citrus as needed
Protect citrus from freezing temperatures

Why grow citrus in containers?

Growing citrus in containers has plenty of advantages.

Limited Space: Containers let you experiment with multiple citrus varieties even if you don’t have much room.
Unfavorable Weather: Move potted citrus trees indoors or to a protected area if the climate is too cold or unpredictable.
Poor Soil and Drainage: Control soil quality and drainage by growing citrus in containers, solving any ground-related issues.
Root Encroachment: Keep citrus roots out of nearby raised beds or garden plots, so all plants have the space they need to thrive.

1. Choose the best container for planting citrus

The container should be twice as large as the citrus nursery pot to give the roots room to grow. A half whiskey barrel is my favorite size for growing citrus. Large ceramic or terra cotta pots also work well. Look for a container at least 2 feet wide (61 cm) and 2 feet (61 cm) deep. It should hold at least 20 gallons (about 2 cubic feet of soil) or more. Get more information about the best sizes for containers in this guide.

Place on a plant dolly before filling with soil in cold climates so the container can be moved to a sheltered location during the coldest months of the year.

The pot should have several drain holes around its circumference. Drill additional holes if necessary. Having the pot off the ground on pot feet rather than sitting in a tray (standing water can breed mosquitoes).

2. Plant citrus at the right time

The best time to plant citrus trees in containers is in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. In mild winter areas, there is a second planting window for citrus in the fall. If you plant in the fall, be aware that newly planted citrus is more susceptible to frost and needs frost protection.

If you plant the right trees, having something from your fruit trees to harvest year-round is very possible. This post will help you find ideas about what to plant for year-round fruit tree harvests.

3. Select citrus varieties that grow well in containers

Some citrus is better suited to containers than others. Here is what to look for:

Look for healthy trees with shiny leaves.
Buy citrus trees grafted onto dwarf rootstock. Dwarf trees produce the same size and quality of fruit but yield 50-60 percent less fruit.
Look at the roots and make sure they do not circle the nursery container. If they do, the citrus tree may be root bound and will not grow well.
Smaller trees are easier to plant and suffer less from transplant shock problems.

Larger types of citrus trees (like lemons and grapefruit) may outgrow the container quickly and need to be repotted or have roots trimmed back.

Smaller types of citrus that do well in containers include: Improved Meyer lemon, Bearss lime, Mandarins, Australian Finger Lime, Calamondin, and Kumquat.

This blog post shares information about 30 different types of citrus and may be helpful as you determine which type of citrus to plant in your container. Get more help deciding which citrus to plant in this guide.

4. Use the correct type of soil for your container citrus tree

The best soil for container-grown citrus is a potting mix with compost, coconut coir, peat moss, and vermiculite or perlite. Learn more about this soil combination here.

The potting soil should be light and fluffy and drain well. Soil that is all organic matter (compost) will decompose too quickly and become compacted. Garden soil and/or native soil is too heavy for containers and will not give the roots the air they need.

5. Choose the Best Location for Container-Grown Citrus

Prioritize Sunlight: Citrus trees need at least 8 hours of sunlight daily.
Morning Sun, Afternoon Shade: A spot with morning sun and some late afternoon shade is ideal in most regions.
Reflective Heat: If you live in a cooler climate, placing your container near a sunny wall that reflects heat can boost growing conditions.
Hot Climates: In very warm areas (like the low desert of Arizona), provide natural afternoon shade to reduce stress on container-grown plants. Because containers can overheat more quickly than ground soil, keeping citrus slightly shaded during the hottest parts of the day is especially important.

6. Plant your citrus tree correctly

Planting citrus correctly from the start is crucial for a healthy, productive tree. Follow the instructions below to ensure your citrus is set up for long-term success.

Fill the container halfway with soil; set the tree in place.

Loosen compacted roots lightly but keep root ball intact.

If you are going to add an olla (oya) to your garden, add it to your container before you fill it with soil.

Fill the container with soil to the same level of the nursery pot. Do not bury the root crown or graft (the small bump where the fruiting type was grafted to the rootstock, typically a few inches above the root ball).

Mulch well, but push back soil and mulch away from the trunk.

7. Citrus in containers will need more frequent watering

Check your containers frequently; citrus in containers dry out more quickly than citrus in the ground. Dip your finger into the soil an inch or so, and if it feels dry, it’s time to water. Use a moisture meter to give you a more exact idea of how wet the roots are.

Pay attention to your citrus tree. Your plants will tell you if their water needs aren’t being met. Leaves that are wilted and then perk up after watering are a sign of roots that have been allowed to dry out too much. Yellow, curled leaves that don’t perk up after watering may mean they are getting too much water. Citrus roots like moist but not soggy conditions.

How often you water will be influenced by the weather. During hot dry weather, water more often. During cooler weather, you will need to water much less.

Each time you water, water thoroughly making sure the water is being absorbed and not just draining out the hole in the bottom. If this happens to your soil, it might be hydrophobic. To remedy this, gently dig in the soil with a garden spade; don’t turn the soil over, just loosen it. Next, sprinkle the surface lightly with water. After several sprayings, the soil should begin to break up and loosen, allowing more water to be absorbed. Adding a 1″–2″ layer of mulch can help prevent this.

Hydrophobic soil is soil that repels water instead of absorbing it. When this happens, water will bead up and run off the surface rather than soaking in, causing plants to struggle with water uptake.

Here in the low desert, I add ollas (oyas) to all of my container-grown plants, including citrus. Water the container thoroughly, and fill the olla each time you water. This allows you to go a little longer between watering than containers without ollas. During the warmest months of the year in hot climates, you may still have to water every day, but the plant roots have access to more water. Learn more about how to water containers in this guide.

8. Feed your citrus regularly

Because frequent watering means nutrients are washed away and roots can’t go looking in the ground for additional nutrients, it’s also a good idea to feed your citrus regularly.

Use an organic fertilizer formulated for citrus. Typically for containers, fertilize more often but use less fertilizer (follow label instructions for amounts). Fertilize citrus in containers each month during the growing season. Get more basic care tips for citrus in this guide.

9. Prune container-grown citrus as needed

The best time to prune citrus is in the spring, after the danger of frost has passed and before new growth appears. Use water-based latex paint or tree wrap to cover any exposed bark.

When pruning citrus in containers, prune for 3 things:

Prune suckers below the graft union; they sap energy from the tree and do not produce fruit. Learn more about how to identify citrus suckers in this guide.
Prune dead branches.
Citrus can also be pruned to keep the citrus a desired size and/or shape. Avoid pruning lower branches.

10. Protect citrus from freezing temperatures

All citrus is frost-tender and needs to be brought indoors or covered with frost cloth when nighttime temperatures go below 35°F (1°C). For more information about protecting citrus during freezing temperatures read this guide.

If you move citrus indoors, provide additional grow lights for the tree. Move the container back outside after the danger of frost has passed in the spring. Dwarf Improved Meyer Lemon, Kumquat, and Calamondin are all more cold-hardy types that do well in containers.

Get more tips for avoiding common citrus mistakes in this guide.