61 gardener saves
Citrus: the varieties gardeners actually grow
We track 9 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 9 most-saved Citrus varieties
Of 9 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedMeyer Lemon
Citrus limon 'Meyer'
#2 most savedKey Lime
Citrus aurantiifolia
#3 most savedMoro Blood Orange
Citrus sinensis 'Moro'
Blondie Mandarin
Citrus reticulata 'Blondie'
Sanguinello Orange
Citrus reticulata 'Sanguinea'
Calamondin
Citrus mitis
Key Lime
Citrus aurantifolia 'Northern Exposure'
Amandine Pastel Lemon
Citrus limon 'Amandine Pastel Lemon'
Cleopatra Mandarin Cleopatra Orange
Citrus reticulata 'Cleopatra'
How to grow Citrus
What the Citrus varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 9 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Citrus year
- HarvestSeptember–November100% of varieties
Harvest fruit when fully orange and firm
- FertilizeMarch–August100% of varieties
Use high-nitrogen citrus fertilizer monthly during active growth
- Check for PestsMarch–September100% of varieties
Check thoroughly for scale and spider mites before moving indoors/outdoors
- PruneFebruary and March89% of varieties
Lightly shape and remove dead wood before spring growth begins
- Winter PrepSeptember and October89% 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 🌱
- Prune to maintain shape and remove dead wood
- Apply citrus fertilizer monthly during spring and summer
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
- Don’t expose to freezing temperatures
- Refrain from fertilizing in late fall to prevent new tender growth
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. |
| Scale Insects | Small, hard bumps on stems and leaves; sticky honeydew. | Spray with horticultural oil during the dormant season. Use a soft brush to scrub them off. Systemic insecticides are effective. |
| 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 |
| Greening disease | Yellowing leaves, fruit drop | Use disease-resistant varieties and control vectors |
Making more Citrus
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.
Grafting
- Choose compatible rootstock and scion in early spring.
- Make matching cuts and join tightly.
- Secure with grafting tape.
- Keep in warm, humid environment for 4–6 weeks until healed.
Citrus questions
How many types of Citrus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 9 distinct Citrus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 61 real gardener saves — 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.
Keep exploring
Citrus shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Citrus in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
