98 saves
Citrus
We track 14 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 14 most-saved Citrus varieties
4 species of Citrus
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Citrus in Sow
Save the Citrus you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Citrus
Whats common across all Citrus varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 14 most-grown of them.
The Citrus year
- HarvestSeptember–November86% of varieties
Harvest ripe oranges by clipping them from the branch to avoid tearing the rind.
- FertilizeMarch–August86% of varieties
Apply a specialised citrus fertiliser to support spring growth and late-season fruit development.
- Check for PestsApril–September86% of varieties
Monitor branches for citrus gall wasp swellings and inspect stems for bronze orange bug nymphs.
- PruneFebruary and March79% of varieties
Prune lightly to remove dead, diseased, or crossing wood and to skirt the lower canopy.
- Winter PrepSeptember and October57% of varieties
Move container indoors before temperatures drop below 40°F
Do
- Water deeply when topsoil feels dry 🌱
- Mulch around the base to retain moisture
- Water consistently, especially during dry spells 🌱
- Use free-draining citrus compost 🌱
- Prune to maintain shape and remove dead wood
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
- Keep the compost wet in winter ❌
- Do not cultivate deeply under the canopy, as this damages the shallow feeder roots.
What goes wrong with Citrus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Scale insects | Shell-like bumps on stems and leaves | Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap |
| Citrus Leafminer | Winding, silvery trails on new leaves, causing them to curl. | Encourage beneficial insects. Use spinosad-based organic sprays on new growth. Systemic insecticides can be used on non-fruiting trees. |
| Citrus Gall Wasp (Bruchophagus fellis) | Lumpy, woody swellings on branches housing wasp larvae, leading to reduced vigour and dieback. | Prune out galls in winter before spring emergence, solarise the prunings, and apply kaolin clay deterrents in late spring. |
| Root rot | Wilting, brown roots | Improve soil drainage and reduce watering |
| Citrus Canker | Dark lesions on leaves and fruit | Remove affected parts and apply copper fungicide |
| Root Rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Citrus
Grafting
- Select a disease-resistant rootstock such as Trifoliata or Citrange grown from seed.
- Collect healthy scion wood from a virus-indexed 'Washington Navel' tree during late summer.
- Perform a T-bud or chip bud graft onto the rootstock stem at least 10 to 15 centimetres above the soil.
- Wrap the graft union securely with budding tape, removing it once the union has healed and the bud begins to shoot.
Cuttings
- Select healthy semi-hardwood cuttings (6-8 inches) and remove lower leaves.
- Dip cut end in rooting hormone powder.
- Plant in moist potting mix and keep in warm, bright location.
- Mist regularly to maintain humidity.
- Roots develop in approximately 6 weeks.
Citrus questions
How many types of Citrus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 14 distinct Citrus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 98 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Citrus grow in?
Across its varieties, Citrus covers USDA Zones 8–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Citrus bloom?
Most Citrus varieties bloom in early spring, late spring, mid-spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Citrus should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.