Citrus

Citrus limon

Lemon

Citrus × limon is a woody Rutaceae tree that wants the brightest spot you can give it — several hours of genuine direct sun, ideally south-facing. It is a hungry, deep-rooted plant but resents standing wet; let the top inch or two of mix dry before watering thoroughly, then let excess drain fully. In a tree this size, that usually falls somewhere in the 5 to 12 day range depending on pot size, light, and season.

Citrus maxima

Pummelo

Citrus maxima (pomelo) is a subtropical to tropical tree from monsoonal Southeast Asia and the Himalayan foothills, where it grows in warm conditions with strong seasonal light. Give it as much direct sun as you can offer and a freely draining mix, and water when the top inch or two of soil has dried out — it dislikes sitting in soggy roots. Expect more frequent watering in active warm-season growth and noticeably less in cool or dim periods.

Citrus medica

Citron

Citron is a citrus shrub or small tree from the foothills and lowlands of the eastern Himalaya, where it grows in warmth and strong light. Give it the brightest, sunniest spot you can — several hours of direct sun — and let the top inch or two of mix dry between waterings, since the roots resent sitting wet. Use a free-draining mix and ease off in winter when growth slows.

Citrus aurantium

Sour Orange

Citrus × aurantium is a woody shrub or small tree in the Rutaceae, and like most citrus it wants strong light — the brightest, sunniest window you can offer, or several hours of direct sun. Let the top two inches of mix dry before watering, then water deeply until it drains; citrus dislikes sitting in soggy soil but also resents going bone dry. Use a gritty, free-draining mix and never leave the pot standing in water.

Citrus hystrix

Kaffir Lime

Citrus hystrix is a tropical shrub or tree from the warm forests and lowlands of South and Southeast Asia, and like most citrus it wants as much direct sun as you can give it. Use a free-draining mix and water when the top inch or two has dried, then water thoroughly; let it approach dry between drinks, as citrus resents standing in soggy soil and is prone to root rot.

Citrus aurantiifolia

Key Lime

A true citrus tree (Rutaceae) that wants the brightest spot you can give it, ideally several hours of direct sun. Grow in a free-draining mix and let the top inch or two dry before watering deeply, then allow excess to drain — it resents sitting in soggy soil and is prone to root rot.

Citrus trifoliata

Japanese Bitter Orange

Citrus trifoliata is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to temperate central and southern China, where it grows in open, sunny conditions and tolerates cold. It wants as much direct light as you can give it and a deep, gritty, free-draining mix; water when the top two inches of soil are dry, then water thoroughly, letting it approach dryness between drinks. It is hardier and more tolerant of cool, dry winters than tropical citrus, so ease off water during dormancy.

Citrus latifolia

Bearss Lime

A citrus shrub or small tree (Persian lime) that wants as much direct sun as you can give it — a south-facing window or a summer outdoors. Grow it in a fast-draining, slightly gritty mix and water when the top inch or two of soil has dried, allowing it to approach dryness between waterings rather than staying soggy. It dislikes sitting wet, so empty any saucer and err toward the drier side.

Citrus limonia

Mandarin Lime

Citrus × limonia (Rangpur lime) is a woody citrus in the Rutaceae family. Like other Citrus, it wants the brightest spot you can give it — several hours of direct sun — and a well-draining mix that approaches dryness between waterings. Water when the top inch or two of soil is dry, then water thoroughly until it drains; avoid leaving the roots standing wet.

Citrus japonica

Kumquat

Citrus japonica is a subtropical shrub from southeastern China and Hainan, where it grows in bright open conditions. Give it as much direct sun as you can, ideally several hours daily, and water when the top inch or two of mix has dried, then water thoroughly and let excess drain. It wants steady moisture but resents sitting wet, so err toward the drier side between waterings.

Citrus taitensis

Red Rough Lemon

A citrus tree in the Rutaceae, this is a woody plant that wants as much direct sun as you can give it, ideally several hours at a bright window. Grow it in a free-draining mix and water when the top inch or two of soil has dried, then water deeply; citrus dislike sitting wet and are prone to root rot if kept soggy. Let it approach dryness between waterings rather than keeping it constantly moist.

Citrus microcarpa

Calamandarin

Citrus × microcarpa, the calamondin, is a small citrus tree in the Rutaceae that wants the brightest spot you can give it — several hours of direct sun, ideally a south- or west-facing window. Citrus dislike sitting wet but also resent fully drying out, so water when the top inch or two of mix is dry and let excess drain freely; err on the dry side rather than leaving roots soggy. Use a free-draining mix and avoid letting the pot stand in water.