5 Best Citrus Trees That Grow in Pots and Containers

Kumquat branches with fruit and leaves — Credit:
Svetlanais / Getty Images

Growing your own citrus tree can be an incredibly rewarding experience, and you don’t have to live in a warm climate to make it happen. While not every tree is ideal for indoor cultivation, there are several varieties that thrive in containers, allowing you to enjoy fresh fruit right from your own living room. With the right care—namely ample sunlight—these resilient plants can flourish inside, and really liven up your space.

Eva Ward, co-owner of Ward’s Nursery and Garden Center
Tony Marquez, a commercial citrus grower, and co-owner of Pearson Ranch

01 of 05

Persian Lime

A lime growing on a tree surrounded by green leaves — Credit:
nickkurzenko / Getty Images

Persian limes (Citrus × latifolia) are seedless, making them a favorite among home growers, says Eva Ward, co-owner of Ward’s Nursery and Garden Center. The tropical plant produces large, oval-shaped fruits with a thin, glossy, dark green rind that ripens to a yellowish-green.

These trees have dark green leaves and fragrant white flowers, and are an attractive, nearly thornless way to beautify your home. With a tangy, slightly sweet flavor and a high juice content, they're perfect for juicing.

Mature size: 6 to 8 feet tall x 8 to 10 feet wide (with pruning)
Container size: Begin with a 5-gallon pot and eventually move to a 15- to 20-gallon container.
Care requirements: Full sun, 8 plus hours daily, fast-draining citrus or cactus mix, water deeply.
When to harvest: Fruit typically ripens in the winter, depending on the climate. Harvest when the limes are light green to yellow-green, slightly soft when squeezed.

02 of 05

Variegated Pink Lemon

A hand holding lemons sliced in half with a lemon tree in the background displaying leaves and blossoms — Credit:
Motionshooter / Getty Images

This citrus tree (Citrus limon ‘Eureka Variegated Pink’) is known for its attractive variegated foliage, which looks particularly striking when placed against terracotta or dark containers, notes Ward.

With a vibrant, green-and-white-striped rind and light-pink flesh, it produces tangy, juicy fruit that's nearly seedless. “Light pruning will maintain its shape and encourage new growth,” says Ward. New leaves often show the strongest variegation.

Mature size: 10 to 15 feet tall x 6 to 8 feet wide. It's commonly kept at 5 to 8 feet tall with pruning.
Container size: Start in a 5 to 7-gallon pot, then move up to a 15 to 20-gallon container long-term.
Care requirements: Full sun, 8 to 10 hours daily; light, well-draining citrus potting mix that's slightly acidic. Keep the soil evenly moist, and water when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil is dry.
When to harvest: “Harvest when the rind shows distinct green-and-yellow striping, and the fruit gives slightly under pressure," says Ward.

03 of 05

Dwarf Meyer Lemon Tree (Citrus × meyeri)

A lemon tree in a terracotta pot bearing ripe lemons against a plain background — Credit:
Ivan Halkin / Getty Images

Due to its size, this tree thrives both indoors and outdoors. “

It's an easy-to-care-for plant that's perfect for people without a green thumb—so long as you avoid overwatering. “[This] can cause yellow leaves and root rot,” says Tony Marquez, a commercial citrus grower and co-owner of Pearson Ranch. Its glossy green leaves and fragrant white and purple flowers make it a perfect living room statement piece.

Mature size: 4 to 6 feet tall x 3 to 4 feet wide.
Container size: Start with a 12 to 15-inch-diameter (5-gallon) pot for your young dwarf Meyer lemon tree. As the tree grows, gradually move it into an 18 to 24-inch pot to accommodate its expanding roots. For the long term, Marquez recommends a 25-gallon pot.
Care requirements: Lemons require 6 to 8 hours of full sun daily, well-draining soil, and deep watering when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil is dry. Marquez recommends adding gravel to the bottom of the pot to help prevent water accumulation.
When to harvest: Harvest Meyer lemons when they are deep yellow, about 6 months after bloom. Typically late winter to spring.

04 of 05

Dwarf Kumquat

Ripe kumquats on a leafy tree branch in a potted plant setting — Credit:
John Caley / Getty Images

Dwarf kumquat varieties (Citrus japonica), like Nagami and Fukushu, can thrive indoors. They're valued for their oval-shaped orange fruit, which can be eaten whole.

"The entire fruit is edible, with much of its flavor found in the peel, which is perfect for marmalade," says Marquez. For best results, fertilize the trees in early spring and again in summer. Additionally, prune any dead branches, thorny suckers, and any branches that may be touching the ground.

Mature size: 3 to 6 feet tall x 4 to 5 feet wide.
Container size: Start with a 5 to 10-gallon pot with plenty of drainage. As the tree grows, transplant it into a larger container (15 gallons or more).
Care requirements: Citrus trees require 6 to 8 hours of full sun daily, well-draining soil, and a citrus or cactus potting mix. Water the tree deeply when the top inch or two of soil becomes dry.
When to harvest: Kumquats are usually harvested when the oval-shaped fruits turn entirely orange, and the peel has a sweet, tangy flavor.

05 of 05

Semi-Dwarf Satsuma Mandarin

A ripe orange hanging from a tree branch with green leaves — Credit:
GYRO PHOTOGRAPHY / a.collectionRF/ Getty Images

Satsuma semi-dwarf trees (Citrus unshiu) are ideal for container gardening due to their compact size and high fruit production. “[They] add a burst of fragrance and color to a sunny living space during colder months,” says Marquez. They have bright green evergreen foliage and a flavor profile balanced between sweet and tangy.

To maintain your tree's health and ensure a good crop, Marquez recommends pruning any dead branches or limbs, as well as those that may obstruct air movement or prevent sunlight from reaching the interior.

Mature size: 4 to 7 feet tall x 4 to 7 feet wide. (Depending on how it's pruned)
Container size: For a young Satsuma tree, start with a pot that is 10 to 14 inches in diameter. As it grows, transition to a 10 to 15-gallon pot with good drainage, and eventually a 25-gallon container for optimal indoor growth and fruit production.
Care requirements: Full sun, 6 to 8 hours daily, well-draining citrus or cactus potting mix soil, water the tree deeply when the top inch or two of soil becomes dry.
When to harvest: The ideal time to harvest Satsuma mandarins is from late autumn to early winter, when the fruit is uniform orange, full-sized, and the skin begins to feel slightly loose and puffy.