How to plant and care for Calamondin Orange

Citrus × microcarpa

🌳 Tree 🍓 Fruit 🔁 Perennial

A compact pot citrus covered in scented white flowers and tiny, sour-sweet oranges most of the year. A great first citrus for a sunny windowsill.

At a glance: harvest in December.

When to plant and care for it

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Harvest

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

On planting day
Plant the Tree
Pot into citrus compost in a pot 5 cm wider than the root ball and stand it in the sunniest spot you have.
0–2 days after “Plant the Tree”
Water In Deeply
Soak the root area with a full can, then keep the soil moist (not wet) for the first few weeks.
7–21 days after “Water In Deeply”
Mulch the Base
Spread 5–8 cm of compost or bark mulch in a 1 m circle, keeping it clear of the trunk.

April
Switch to Summer Feed
Change to a summer citrus feed with every watering.
June
Move Outside
Once nights stay above 10°C, move the pot to a sunny, sheltered patio.
July
Check for Scale Insects
Look under leaves for brown scale and sticky honeydew; wipe off with soapy water.
September
Bring Indoors
Before the first frost, move the pot to a bright, cool room (10–15°C) and switch to winter citrus feed.
December
Pick Ripe Fruit
Pick fully orange fruits for marmalade, drinks or with fish.