Adding citrus trees to your garden brings a warm touch of the Mediterranean to your space and offers fragrant blossoms, vibrant fruit, and glossy evergreen foliage. While typically grown in warmer climates, many varieties have now been adapted to thrive in the UK when they get the TLC they need. All our...
Adding citrus trees to your garden brings a warm touch of the Mediterranean to your space and offers fragrant blossoms, vibrant fruit, and glossy evergreen foliage. While typically grown in warmer climates, many varieties have now been adapted to thrive in the UK when they get the TLC they need. All our plants are grown as bushes and benefit from being placed in controlled, sunny, and warm areas during the summer months and will thrive in the warmth of your conservatory or greenhouse in the winter.
From small lemon trees suitable for pots to more commonly grown orange trees, there’s a citrus variety for every space. The versatility provided by citrus trees makes them ideal for gardeners looking for a unique and productive plant. Trees Direct has a fabulous selection to of citrus trees to buy suited for UK conditions so you can enjoy fresh fruit straight from your garden. Yum!
Citrus trees are a fantastic choice for gardeners who want to enjoy both ornamental beauty and homegrown fruit. Their glossy, evergreen leaves provide excellent structure to your garden all year round, while their fragrant blossoms fill the air with a fresh and citrusy scent. Despite being traditionally grown in warmer regions, many citrus varieties have adapted well to the UK’s fluctuating climate when given the right care. Whether you’re looking to grow lemons, oranges, or limes, these trees can be cultivated successfully in gardens, patios, and conservatories.
Citrus trees belong to the Rutaceae family and are known for their ability to produce both flowers and fruit simultaneously. Their evergreen nature means they retain their leaves throughout the year which helps to add a nice bit of greenery to your garden, even in the colder months. The blossoms, which often appear in spring and summer, are highly scented and attract pollinators.
Fruits develop over several months, with many citrus varieties ripening in late autumn or winter. Unlike some fruit trees that require extensive pruning and pollination assistance, many citrus trees are self-fertile which means a single tree can produce fruit without needing a second one. However, they do require plenty of light and protection from frost which is why container growing is a popular choice in the UK.
The Citrus Lemon Tree is one of the easiest varieties to grow in the UK and its fruit is widely used in cooking, baking, and drinks. It’s also well suited for those with limited space and a small lemon tree is a great option as it thrives in pots and can be moved indoors during winter.
For a sweeter option, the Citrus Orange Tree is a popular choice. Depending on the variety, oranges can range from sweet to slightly bitter which makes them ideal for fresh eating or marmalades. The Clementine Mandarin Citrus Tree is another excellent option as it produces small, easy-to-peel fruit with a refreshing sweetness.
If you’re looking for something a little more unique, the Citrus Finger Lime produces elongated fruit filled with tiny juice vesicles that resemble caviar making it a favourite among chefs. The Citrus Kaffir Lime Tree is another specialist citrus and is commonly grown for its aromatic leaves which are widely used in Thai and other oriental cooking.
For compact spaces, the Citrus Kumkuat Tree is an excellent choice. These small, tangy fruits can be eaten whole and offer a fantastic burst of citrus flavour. The Citrus Tahiti Lime Tree is another great container-friendly option and is great at producing juicy limes perfect for drinks and cooking.
Despite the UK’s cooler climate, citrus trees can thrive with the right care. One of the biggest advantages is their ability to grow in pots, allowing gardeners to move them between outdoor spaces in summer and conservatories or greenhouses in winter. With proper positioning, they can flourish on sunny patios and warm courtyards and even indoors near a bright window.
Besides their fruit, Citrus trees also bring year-round structure, texture, and fragrance to your garden. Their dark green leaves contrast beautifully with their bright fresh fruits which creates a Mediterranean feel with highly scented blossoms in the warmer seasons.
In the UK, citrus trees need protection from frost and extreme cold. In milder areas, you may get away with leaving them outdoors for most of the year, but in colder regions, its best to grow in containers that can be moved under cover when temperatures drop. Using peat-free compost and maintaining consistent watering will help your citrus trees thrive while minimising environmental impact.
Additionally, citrus blossoms attract bees and other pollinators which helps support biodiversity in your garden. Their ability to grow well in pots also means they take up very little space and makes them an excellent option for urban gardeners or those with limited outdoor areas.
With the right approach, citrus trees can be a rewarding and practical addition to UK gardens, providing fresh fruit, stunning blooms, and year-round greenery.
While many are unaware, citrus trees are actually very easy to grow, but they do have a few specific needs to ensure they stay healthy and productive. Whether you’re growing a lemon tree in a pot, or plan on keeping an orange tree on your patio, providing the right conditions for your citrus plant will help your tree to stay healthy and productive.
When deciding on which citrus trees to plant, it’s important to consider the space you have available. For smaller gardens or patios, compact varieties like the Citrus Kumquat Tree or a small lemon tree would be ideal, whereas if you have a conservatory or greenhouse, you could possibly select a larger variety such as the Citrus Blood Orange Tree or Citrus Tahiti Lime Tree as these tend to flourish in bigger environments.
When selecting a tree, consider whether you want fruit for eating, cooking, or just for ornamental purposes. The Citrus Finger Lime produces unusual, caviar-like pulp that adds a gourmet twist to dishes, while the Citrus Kaffir Lime Tree is prized for its aromatic leaves used in Thai cuisine.
Citrus trees will grow best when they’re placed in containers with well-draining soil as this allows them to be moved indoors during colder months. If planting in a pot, choose one with good drainage holes and use a specialist citrus compost to support healthy root development. Position your tree in a bright, sheltered spot and ensures it gets at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
For those wanting to grow citrus trees outdoors, the best time to plant is in spring once the risk of frost has passed. While citrus trees are relatively low maintenance, they do need protection from extreme cold, so in the UK, it’s best to move potted citrus trees into a conservatory, greenhouse, or a bright indoor space over winter.
Consistent watering is key to keeping citrus your trees healthy. Overwatering can cause root rot, while under-watering can lead to leaf drop and poor fruit development. As a general rule of thumb, water when the top inch of soil feels dry and be sure to allow excess water to drain away.
Citrus trees are heavy feeders and will require a balanced fertiliser during the growing season. A citrus-specific feed high in nitrogen will support leaf growth, while micronutrients such as iron and magnesium will help prevent yellowing leaves. Feeding should be reduced in winter as the tree enters a slower growth phase during this time.
Just like any other evergreen tree, regular pruning helps maintain shape by removing dead or damaged branches and encourages better fruit production. Light pruning can be done in early spring before new growth starts but unlike some fruit trees, citrus doesn’t really require extensive pruning. Just occasional trimming to control size and improve airflow will suffice.
Be sure to keep an eye out for common pests like aphids, scale insects, and spider mites, particularly if your tree is kept indoors. Wiping leaves with soapy water or using organic pest sprays will help keep any potential infestations under control.
Citrus trees require different care throughout the year to ensure healthy growth and fruit production. In winter, if you have potted your trees, bring them indoors or into a greenhouse to protect them from frost and ensure watering is reduced to prevent root rot. During spring and summer, regular watering and feeding will help support active growth and will need plenty of sunlight helping fruit to develop. As autumn rolls round, it’s important to check for pests before bringing citrus plants inside and to gradually reduce feeding in preparation for their slower winter growth cycle.
Lemon trees are the most reliable for UK conditions, especially varieties like the Citrus Lemon Tree. They adapt well to pots and can be moved indoors during winter. The Clementine Mandarin Citrus Tree is another good option for a sweet-flavoured, easy-to-grow variety.
No, but citrus trees need protection from frost. They can grow outdoors in summer but should be moved into a conservatory, greenhouse, or bright indoor space over winter.
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Overwatering can cause root rot, so ensure pots have good drainage. Reduce watering in winter when growth slows.
This is usually caused by overwatering, lack of sunlight, or a nutrient deficiency. A citrus-specific fertiliser high in nitrogen can help restore healthy green leaves.
Most citrus trees flower in spring and produce fruit in late autumn or winter. Some varieties, like the Citrus Lemon Tree, can fruit multiple times a year under the right conditions.
In warmer southern regions, citrus trees may survive outdoors in sheltered spots. However, in most of the UK, they need to be brought indoors or protected from frost in winter.
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