How to Grow Citrus in Arizona: A Complete Guide
Growing citrus is one of the real perks of gardening in the low desert. While most of the country babies potted lemon trees indoors all winter, we get to grow full-size citrus right in the yard and pick fruit off the tree from late fall into spring. A single mature tree can hand you hundreds of pounds of lemons, oranges, or grapefruit a year.
Citrus is also forgiving once it’s established. Most of the trouble I see comes down to a few early decisions: where you plant it, how you water it, and how you protect it through our heat and cold. Get those right and the tree mostly takes care of itself.
This guide answers the questions I get asked most about growing citrus in Arizona, from picking the right tree and spot to watering, fertilizing, and protecting it year-round. The same advice works anywhere citrus grows outdoors, including Florida, California, and Texas. For the flip side of this, here are the 10 most common citrus-growing mistakes and how to avoid them.
Key Takeaways: How to Grow Citrus Trees
- Citrus trees thrive in Arizona’s low desert climate, allowing for year-round growing.
- Proper planting location and size of citrus trees are crucial for healthy growth and fruit production.
- Watering and fertilizing citrus trees correctly ensures they yield delicious fruit over the years.
- Timing is essential; plant citrus in spring or fall to avoid frost damage.
- Protect citrus from extreme heat and cold for optimal health and fruit yield.
Do you have questions about how to grow citrus trees? Click on a question to go right to the answer.
- 1. Where should I plant a citrus tree?
- 2. Which size citrus tree is best?
- 3. Which type of citrus tree should I plant?
- 4. What time of year should I plant citrus in Arizona?
- 5. How do I plant citrus trees in Arizona?
- 6. What’s the best way to water citrus trees?
- 7. Is it necessary to fertilize citrus?
- 8. Do you need to prune citrus trees?
- 9. How do I protect citrus trees from extremes in the weather?
- 10. How can I tell if citrus fruit is ripe?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Citrus in Arizona
1. Where should I plant a citrus tree?
Citrus trees are long-lived and, if planted in the correct location, can become an asset to the property. Considerations for where to plant citrus trees include:
- Plant citrus where they can reach mature size without excessive pruning. Give them plenty of room to grow.
- Select a location away from all power lines.
- There should be ample clearance from fences, buildings, and property lines on all sides.
- Avoid western exposures; late afternoon summer sun in Arizona is intense and can burn fruit and trees.
- Be aware of the microclimates in your yard, and avoid low spots which can be colder during frost events in the winter.
- Choose an area free of grass or remove grass before planting. The grass competes with the tree for water and nutrients.
Learn more principles for gardening in desert climates in this guide. If you are planning a backyard orchard, here are my top fruit tree picks for Low Desert Arizona, including citrus plus other reliable producers.
2. Which size citrus tree is best?
Choose the correct size of citrus tree for the location and your needs. There are often 3 sizes of citrus trees within a citrus variety.
- Standard trees can grow 20-25 feet tall and 16-18 feet wide.
- Semi-dwarf trees are about two-thirds the standard size and reach 12-15 feet tall and wide.
- Dwarf trees are grafted onto dwarfing rootstock and often reach 6-8 feet tall and wide.
Dwarf varieties produce the same type and flavor of fruit but about half as much as standard-size varieties. This may be more than enough fruit for the home garden. If more variety in types of citrus is desired, consider planting a few types of dwarf citrus trees rather than one standard-size tree.
3. Which type of citrus tree should I plant?
This answer is simple; select which type of citrus you want to eat. A properly cared for citrus tree lives for a long time, and over its lifetime will produce hundreds of pounds of fruit. Choose a type of citrus you like to eat and will use so the fruit does not go to waste. If you visit a grower during citrus harvesting season, many will allow you to sample fruit right off the tree.
For example, if you want to make homemade lemonade with fresh garden lemons, plant Meyer or Lisbon lemon trees. If you love fresh-squeezed orange juice, Valencia orange trees are a great choice. Grapefruit lovers may enjoy growing Rio Red or Oro Blanco grapefruit, and lime trees are perfect for adding fresh flavor to drinks, marinades, and homemade salsa. One of the most rewarding things about growing citrus is using your harvest in so many delicious ways.
This article discusses 30 varieties of citrus. Some oranges are best for juicing, and others are best eaten fresh. Try to sample the type of fruit you are considering planting. Still can’t decide? This article may help you decide which type of citrus tree to plant.
4. What time of year should I plant citrus in Arizona?
The best time to plant citrus trees in the low desert of Arizona is in the spring after the danger of frost has passed (usually mid to late February). Citrus can be planted from this time through May. Do not plant citrus from June through September.
A second planting window for citrus is in the fall from October through December. Newly-planted citrus is more susceptible to frost and needs frost protection.
5. How do I plant citrus trees in Arizona?
Give your citrus tree the best chance for a long and healthy life by planting it correctly.
- Dig a hole 3 to 5 times wider than the diameter of the container of the citrus tree, but no deeper. Wide holes encourage the roots to grow outward through the soil and anchor the tree.
- Plant as deep as the root level of the pot. Be careful not to bury the graft union where the citrus tree is grafted onto the rootstock.
- Break up the root ball a bit on the bottom to encourage the roots to spread out.
- Backfill with native soil; there is no need to amend the soil or use fertilizer when planting.
- Remove any stakes or wraps that are around the citrus trunk. Left in place, these can girdle the tree and kill it.
- If the bark is exposed to sunlight, paint it with a latex-based paint or wrap it with a flexible tree wrap for sun protection.
- Label your tree. This often-overlooked step is important, so don’t skip it! I use these labels from Amazon. Learn more about how to label trees in this guide.
- Remove fruit from the tree before it matures during the first 2 years to encourage root and tree growth rather than fruit production.
- Get rid of pests like thrips early on. Learn how to get rid of thrips on citrus here.
For information about planting citrus in containers, see this guide to growing citrus in containers.
6. What’s the best way to water citrus trees?
Effective watering is the most important part of caring for citrus trees. Many problems with citrus can be traced back to water issues (too much water, not enough water, inconsistent watering, etc.). A big part of learning how to grow citrus in Arizona is learning how to water citrus correctly.
Here are principles to keep in mind when watering citrus:
- Newly-planted citrus requires more frequent watering than mature citrus.
- Mature trees need more water as they get larger.
- Apply water to entire root zone and canopy of the tree plus a little further to encourage root growth beyond the canopy of the tree. Building a berm around the outside edge of the tree canopy is an effective way to water in this zone.
- Slow, deep applications of water are best. Water to a depth of 1 to 2 feet for newly-planted citrus, and to 3 feet for trees in the ground 3 years or more. (Use a soil probe to see how deep you are watering).
- Allow the top several inches of soil to dry out between waterings.
- Watering frequency depends on several factors: the type of soil (clay holds moisture longer than sandy or rocky soils), sun exposure, rain, temperature, and wind conditions.
- For watering intervals throughout the year, follow my monthly desert garden guides, which tell you what to adjust as the seasons change.
7. Is it necessary to fertilize citrus?
The production of so much fruit comes at a cost…nitrogen (and other nutrients)! Mature citrus trees are heavy feeders and need regular doses of supplemental fertilizer. The correct feeding of citrus trees rewards you with delicious fruit and a healthy tree year after year.Tips to remember when fertilizing citrus are:
- Use an organic fertilizer formulated for citrus. Citrus trees benefit from the additional micronutrients and minerals in this type of fertilizer.
- Apply the appropriate amount of fertilizer based on the tree’s age and size. Newly planted citrus and citrus in the ground for less than 2 years may not need additional fertilizer.
- Water citrus well after fertilizing. Nitrogen in fertilizer can be lost if not watered into the soil.
- Apply fertilizer at the drip line, where it can be taken up and used by the roots.
- Over-fertilizing can burn roots and damage fruit. It is possible to have too much of a good thing.
- Apply fertilizer at the correct time of year. The total amount of fertilizer needed for the year is often broken up into 3 feedings*:
Lemons and limes: apply ⅓ of fertilizer in January – February, ⅓ in March – April, and ⅓ in August – September.
Oranges, mandarins, and grapefruit: ⅓ of the recommended range of fertilizer in January – February, ⅓ in March – April, and ⅓ in May – June.
*According to the University of Arizona Extension Office. See this Citrus Fertilization Chart for application amount guidelines.
Once your citrus tree is planted, knowing how to fertilize citrus trees is key to helping it grow strong and start producing fruit. Learn more about how to properly fertilize citrus trees in this guide.
8. Do you need to prune citrus trees?
Unlike other types of fruit trees, citrus trees do not require pruning. Although many people prefer the “skirted” look of citrus trees with lower branches removed, it is best not to prune these branches from citrus trees. These branches naturally shade the trunk and bark from sunburn. When pruning citrus, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Do not prune citrus during the summer.
- Prune in the spring after the danger of frost is past.
- Prune to remove dead branches and crossing limbs.
- Remove suckers and sprouts. Learn how to identify citrus suckers in this guide.
- Always remove suckers below the graft union.
One note: this is the advice I was taught for home growers through the Arizona master gardener program, and it’s what I follow in my own yard. Commercial growers often do skirt their trees, sometimes up to two feet, to keep fruit and low branches away from soil-borne fungus and pests. If you’re managing a grove or fighting a specific disease, skirting can make sense. For a backyard tree in the low desert, I leave the lower limbs to shade the trunk and hold soil moisture.
Learn more about how and when to prune fruit trees in this guide.
9. How do I protect citrus trees from extremes in the weather?
The low desert of Arizona ranges from scorching triple-digit heat in the summer to freezing temperatures during the coldest periods of the year. Properly caring for and learning to grow citrus in Arizona involves giving extra care during these extreme weather conditions.
Hot weather:
- Maintain a regular watering schedule and water citrus correctly.
- Do not prune the lower branches of trees, allowing them to shade bark and soil naturally.
- Protect bark exposed to the sun by painting with water-based latex paint or tree wrap
- Mulch trees to help maintain soil moisture and temperature. Keep mulch away from the trunk.
Learn how to protect citrus bark and prevent sunburned citrus bark in this guide.
Freezing:
- If freezing temperatures are expected, irrigate citrus.
- Have frost cloth or burlap on hand to protect citrus if temperatures dip below 32℉.
- Drape citrus from the top down to the ground to trap radiant heat.
Learn more about protecting citrus from freezing temperatures in this guide.
10. How can I tell if citrus fruit is ripe?
Taste is the best measure of when citrus is ripe. It is important to learn the approximate time when the citrus you are growing becomes ripe, and then begin sampling the fruit.
The color isn’t always the best measure of when the fruit is ripe because the rind color is affected by temperature. Once citrus fruit is picked, it will not ripen anymore.
Leave citrus on the tree until ready to use. Many types of citrus keep on the tree for months. When fruit begins to soften and fall, remove the remaining fruit from the tree.
Once ripe, use lemons to make a refreshing drink with my Homemade Lemonade Recipe. Turn fresh lemons into a cool, tangy treat perfect for hot days.
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Citrus in Arizona
This can be normal here, especially for lemons. Citrus will sometimes bloom off-season after a warm spell or a change in watering. You may lose some of those flowers if we get a hard freeze, but the tree itself should be fine. Cover it on cold nights, water the day before a freeze, and hold off on fertilizer and pruning until late winter.
You can grow a tree, but not the fruit you’re hoping for. Citrus varieties are grafted onto rootstock chosen to handle specific growing conditions, not for good fruit. A tree grown from seed will be the rootstock, which usually produces sour, low-quality fruit. Start with a grafted tree instead.
Yes. Young citrus has thin, tender bark that’s vulnerable to both sunburn and cold, so keep the trunk protected through the first couple of winters while the tree establishes.
It can work, but a full west exposure is tough. Citrus is happiest with a little afternoon shade. In a hot west-facing spot, plan to shade the tree until it’s established and keep any exposed bark protected from the afternoon sun.
Usually cross-pollination. When pollen from another citrus variety nearby fertilizes the flowers, the fruit develops seeds. If you have other citrus close by, that’s likely what’s happening. Some varieties are also just seedier than others. Clementines, Satsumas, and some Murcotts tend to stay mostly seedless unless they cross-pollinate.
A mature citrus tree can produce hundreds of pounds of fruit a year. A dwarf tree produces the same-quality fruit in about half the amount, which is often plenty for a home garden and lets you fit more than one variety in the same space.
What is wrong with my Lemon tree? It’s in full bloom and it’s the first week in December. Yikes. I had ice on my cars windshield this morning. Am I going to loose those flowers with the cold weather? What do I do to convince the tree now is not the time to be blooming. I’m in Tucson and love your sites and UTUBE channel.
Hi. This can be normal for lemons here. Citrus, especially lemons, will sometimes bloom off-season after warm spells or changes in watering. You may lose some flowers if we get a hard freeze, but the tree should be fine. Cover it on cold nights, water the day before a cold night, and hold off on fertilizer and pruning until late winter.
Hi Angela,
I have existing citrus in a weird “raised bed” that is full of rocks and does not match the drip line. It’s also close enough to the block wall that part of the drip line is in the neighbor’s yard. How can I efficiently and effectively water my tree, short of ripping out the concrete edging?
You may need to water inside and outside of the bed or edging. A slow drip from a hose may be a good choice on the outside of the bed. Roots on your neighbors side of the fence may get watered and they may not.
My mandarin tree, very young, produces many seeds in one piece of fruit. Is there any way to change that? (17 seeds)
I do have a young lemon and orange tree within the yard.
Thank you for your time
Maggie
Mandarin trees develop seeds primarily because of how they reproduce. While some mandarins are naturally seedless, many varieties produce seeds through a process called cross-pollination. This happens when pollen from one type of mandarin tree fertilizes the flowers of another variety, leading to the formation of seeds in the fruit. If there are other mandarins nearby this may be what happened. Some varieties are also more seedy than others. Varieties like Clementines, Satsumas, and certain types of Murcotts are known for being mostly seedles (unless they cross-pollinate).
Hi! I never see anything about growing citrus form seed. I live in PHX and would love to try it, but my gut tells me it’s a bad idea if no one seems to even address it. Bad idea to try citrus from seed? Thank you!
Your gut is right. Citrus varieties are grafted onto rootstock chosen for their ability to handle specific growing conditions, not for the fruit.
My citrus trees are one and half years old. Do I need to keep the trunks wrapped in the winter months?
I would.
Hello!
I have an area on west side of house. I would love to have a lemon or red grapefruit tree there to provide fruit and shade. Would that be a good area? If not, what would u recommend?
PS. Love to follow you!!
Hi Susan, citrus trees are happiest with a little afternoon shade. If the tree is in full afternoon sun, you may need to shade it until it gets established and keep any exposed bark protected.