Dwarf citrus trees are especially well-suited for container growing indoors. Three varieties that do well are Improved Meyer Lemon, Bearss Lime and Oroblanco Grapefruit.
Whether you select a lemon, lime or grapefruit, citrus trees grown indoors, in containers need to be planted in slightly acid, well-draining potting soils, such as this one.
Avoid using garden soil or potting soil with moisture-retaining properties. You can grow citrus trees in any type of clay, ceramic or plastic containers. Choose a container that is slightly larger than the one the tree came in.
The new container needs to be deep enough to provide room for the roots to expand and to provide stability for the tree as it grows and it must have a drain hole. To do their best, citrus trees need as much sunlight as possible, at least six hours daily. This means you should place your tree in a window that faces south or south-west. If you don’t have a bright, sunny location, you can still grow citrus indoors by supplementing natural light with plant grow lights.
Water your tree when the top 2" of soil is dry. If you're unsure of how wet or dry the soil is, consider buying a moisture meter. You can quickly check the soil and know whether it's time to water.
Potted citrus trees need a Nitrogen-based fertilizer. You can use a fertilizer specifically for citrus or an organic natural fertilizer such as Down to Earth Fish Meal. Plan to feed your citrus tree every two weeks.
In order to flower, potted citrus trees need an average daytime temperature of 65 degrees and a nighttime temperature five or ten degrees cooler.
In order to set fruit, once the flowers have opened, you’ll need to help them pollinate by gently shaking the tree branch or use a small brush to move the pollen around. With attention to light, watering and fertilizing, you should be able to keep your citrus tree healthy and productive through the winter season.
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