How to plant and care for Orange (Sweet, Pot-Grown)

Citrus × sinensis

🌳 Tree 🍓 Fruit 🔁 Perennial

A dwarf sweet orange for a big pot: glossy leaves, intensely scented blossom and juicy oranges that take most of a year to ripen.

At a glance: harvest in January.

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.

January
Pick Ripe Fruit
Pick fully coloured fruit with a short stalk; they keep on the tree for weeks.
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.