Why are my leaves turning yellow?

This is often a sign of nitrogen deficiency or poor drainage.

Can I grow citrus in a pot?

Yes, dwarf varieties thrive in containers if given enough light.

Plant guide

Citrus.

Citrus

Pronounced SIT-rus

Also known as Citrus, citrus fruits, finger-lime, kumquat, kumquats, lemon, lime, orange

Citrus plants are beloved for their fragrant blossoms and delicious, colorful fruits. They thrive in warm climates and bring a sunny, Mediterranean feel to any space. With proper care, they can be quite productive even when grown in containers.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Fruit tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 3 to 30 feet depending on variety
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring

Care

Keep your citrus in a spot with plenty of sunshine and ensure the soil drains well to prevent root rot. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal overwatering or a need for extra nutrients. Regular air circulation helps keep pests like scale and spider mites at bay.

Watering: Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Use a balanced citrus fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Prune lightly in late winter to shape the tree and improve airflow.
Repotting: Move to a slightly larger pot when the roots begin to circle the container.
Soil: Well draining, slightly acidic potting mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 0 to 38°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 20 to 50 years.
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface for too long.
The tree has stopped growing during the active season.

Safety

People: The essential oils in the peel can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Pets: The essential oils in citrus plants can cause irritation or digestive upset if ingested by cats or dogs.
Children: The thorns on many citrus varieties can scratch young children, so keep them at a safe distance.
Contact allergens: Contact with the sap or essential oils from the rind can cause photosensitivity or dermatitis.
Airborne allergens: The strongly scented flowers may trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Edibility: Always wash store bought fruit to remove wax or pesticide residues before eating.

How to identify it

Glossy, leathery evergreen leaves
Fragrant, star shaped white flowers
Pungent, aromatic citrus oil glands
Fleshy, segmented fruit with rinds

Height: 1.5 to 6m
Spread: 1.2 to 4m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: white, 2 to 4cm
Fruit: orange, yellow, green, Fall to winter

Problems to watch for

Citrus leaf miner · Small larvae create winding tunnels inside the leaves.
Citrus canker · Bacterial infection causing lesions on leaves, stems, and fruit.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your citrus from a photo

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, grafting
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: Move container plants indoors before the first frost. Ensure they get plenty of bright light and keep them away from heating vents.
In containers: Citrus trees grow very well in pots, provided you use a large container with excellent drainage and at least 40 liters of volume.

Cuttings

Take a 15 cm cutting from new growth.
Remove the lower leaves.
Dip the end in rooting hormone.
Place in moist perlite and cover with plastic.
Keep in bright, indirect light until rooted.

Plant low growing herbs like thyme around the base to help retain soil moisture without competing for nutrients.

Grows well with

Lavender · It attracts beneficial pollinators to the citrus blossoms.
Nasturtium · It acts as a trap crop for aphids that might otherwise bother the tree.

Similar species

Kumquat · It is a smaller relative with edible skin.
Calamondin · It is a popular choice for indoor container growing.

Science

Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Citrus
Order: Sapindales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Tropical and subtropical regions of Asia.
Conservation: Not currently of conservation concern.

Citrus trees have evolved to thrive in sunny, well drained environments where they can access consistent moisture.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, larval host plant
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: culinary fruit, ornamental tree, fragrant flowers

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 7/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my leaves turning yellow?: This is often a sign of nitrogen deficiency or poor drainage.
Can I grow citrus in a pot?: Yes, dwarf varieties thrive in containers if given enough light.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Citrus comes from the ancient Greek word for the citron tree, while the common name refers to the group of fruits including oranges and lemons.

Good to know

Citrus fruits do not ripen further once they are picked from the tree.
Most citrus trees are grafted onto hardy rootstocks to improve disease resistance.
The scent of citrus blossoms is used in perfumes worldwide.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Keep your citrus growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on October 24, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.