How To Grow Oranges, Lemons & Other Citrus Plants In The UK
(Or: How to Convince Mediterranean Plants That Britain Is Actually Quite Nice)
Growing citrus plants in the UK is a bit like owning a convertible in Scotland: technically possible, occasionally glorious, and often requiring a coat. It sounds like the beginning of a joke. A lemon tree in Lancashire? An orange ripening in Essex? Surely not... yet with a bit of planning, a pinch of horticultural know-how, a dash of stubborn optimism along with some pot shuffling, and the emotional resilience to accept that British sunshine is more of a rumour than a guarantee, you absolutely can grow citrus trees successfully in the UK.
Will you be supplying your local supermarket by the crate? No. Will you get glossy evergreen leaves, intoxicating white flowers, and the deep personal satisfaction of making your own lemon drizzle cake from home-grown lemons? Absolutely yes.
Let’s peel back the facts, squeeze out the myths, and get you growing citrus in the UK - without booking a one-way flight to the Mediterranean.
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| citrus plants bring year-round structure and glamour |
Citrus plants are evergreen, glossy-leaved, fragrant, and surprisingly well-behaved. They make your garden look like it’s on holiday even if you’re wearing three jumpers. The flowers smell divine, the fruits feel like wizardry, and even when they’re not fruiting, citrus plants bring year-round structure and glamour.
Also, there is nothing more satisfying than saying, “Oh this lemon? I grew it myself”......
First: Some Home Truths
Citrus are native to warm, sunny climates where winter is a gentle suggestion rather than a six-month endurance test. They like light, warmth, shelter, good drainage, regular feeding, and absolutely no surprises.
The UK offers… intermittent versions of these things.
The secret to success is understanding that citrus trees in Britain are container plants, not garden border warriors. If you want to grow them, you must be prepared to move them, protect them and occasionally apologise to them.
Choosing the Right Citrus for the UK
Limes: Green Globes Of Beauty
Kaffir – for its leaves in currys and far eastern dishes
Persian – for fruit
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| Lemon is a great starter plant |
Lemons: The Overachievers
If citrus had personality types, lemons would be the enthusiastic extroverts. Amongst other varieties:
Meyer lemon – the best all-rounder for the UK; compact, hardy (by citrus standards), and generous with fruit
Eureka lemon – good but slightly more dramatic
Lisbon lemon – productive but needs warmth and patience
Lemons are forgiving, flower repeatedly, and don’t sulk quite as much when the weather disappoints them.
Oranges: More High-Maintenance
Oranges are perfectly possible but require more sun and heat.
Calamondin orange – technically not a true orange, but excellent for UK growing
Navel oranges – possible, but only with lots of light
Blood oranges – attractive but optimistic in most British summers
Others: Less Well Known But Worth A Try
Mandarin and Clementine – Smaller plants, ideal for smaller areas
- Kumquats - Surprisingly tough and cheerfully productive
If this is your first citrus rodeo, start with lemons. Oranges and the others can come later when your confidence (and greenhouse) has grown. Avoid Grapefruits until you're experienced and have a lot of space.
Containers: Pots Are Not Optional
Think “Luxury Apartment,” Not “Budget Bedsit”
Citrus hate wet feet almost as much as they hate frost. Choose a pot with excellent drainage and a saucer you empty regularly (this is not optional). Citrus trees must be grown in pots in the UK.
This allows you to:
Move them into shelter in winter
Control soil conditions
Prevent root rot (a national citrus tragedy)
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| glazed, terracotta or plastic are all ok |
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Terracotta - looks nice but dries out faster, so very good if you tend to water to much and it helps stopping them falling over.
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Plastic or glazed pots - retain moisture better and are lighter to move.
Go for a pot just slightly larger than the root ball. Citrus prefer being slightly snug rather than rattling around like loose change.
As the tree grows, pot up gradually. A citrus drowning in compost is a citrus plotting your downfall.... and its.
The Right Compost (No, Garden Soil Won’t Do)
Citrus Are Fussy and They Know It
Avoid cheap, soggy compost that turns into porridge by November. Citrus roots need air, not soup. They demand a soil that is free-draining, slightly acidic and nutrient-rich so use:
Citrus compost, or
A mix of ericaceous and multi-purpose compost with added gritOranges aren't always smooth and round
You must avoid:
Heavy clay
Waterlogged compost
Anything described as “water retentive” (that’s British for “swampy”)
Drainage holes are non-negotiable. Citrus roots hate sitting in cold, wet soil almost as much as you do.
Sunlight: As Much As Britain Can Offer & Then A Bit More
Citrus are sun worshippers. They need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight during the growing season.
Ideal positions include:
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South-facing patios
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Conservatories
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Greenhouses
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Sheltered courtyards
In summer, citrus should live outdoors whenever possible. Fresh air, real sunshine, that lovely summer
rain and the gentle terror of British insects all help toughen them up. In winter, they love being somewhere bright, cool, and frost-free.
Watering: A Delicate Balancing Act
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| The unusual Buddhas Hand Lemon |
Telling when plants need watering can be hard, so as a rule of thumb when the leaves lack lustre, become dull and even start to droop, then its likely to be in need of water BUT... check the compost in the pot to see if it is dry. If so water it. If not don't. If still in doubt check the weight of the pot - it will be light in weight if dry. If in doubt wait another day and check again.
It is better to under water than over water.
The golden rule: if you’re watering because it’s Tuesday rather than because the plant needs it, step away from the watering can....
Feeding: Citrus Are Hungry Creatures
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| Orange |
Use:
A specialist citrus feed
High in nitrogen and potassium, magnesium, and trace elements
Feed:
Every 1-2 weeks from spring to early autumn
Every 4-6 weeks in winter
Folia feeding once a month in winter and spring, can increase fruit setting and health of plant as waterings are few and far between in the winter months
Yellowing leaves usually mean hunger or to much water, not disease. Citrus don’t hint. They complain loudly.
Flowers and Fruit: The Good Bit
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| Lime |
Expect:
Flowers to drop (normal)
Tiny fruits to fall off (also normal)
The plant to keep just what it can manage
Fruit takes 6-12 months to ripen and this makes harvest day a delightful surprise.
Winter Care: The Make-or-Break Moment
This is where UK citrus growing separates optimists from realists.
Before the first frost:
Move plants indoors or into a frost-free greenhouse
Aim for 5-10°C
Bright light is essential and the more the better but cool temperatures
Avoid:
Central heating - away from radiators and ideally on feet so they get air movement under the pot
Avoid underfloor heating - its a killer
Dark corners - a definite no!
Cold draughts - no one likes a draught.
Leaf drop in winter is common. Panic is optional but unnecessary. As long as stems remain green, your citrus is merely having a sulk.
Pests: Tiny Villains With Big Attitudes
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| Woolly Aphid |
Common citrus pests:
Aphids
Spider mites
Scale insects
Mealybugs and woolly aphid
Deal with them promptly using:
Soapy water
Horticultural soap
Neem Oil
Pesticide from your local garden centre BUT not systemic
A firm but disappointed glare
Healthy, well-fed plants resist pests better than stressed ones. Citrus that are cold, hungry, and wet attract insects like a pub attracts football fans.
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| lemon |
Citrus don’t need much pruning.
Do:
Remove dead or crossing branches
Shape lightly in spring
Don’t:
Hack them back aggressively
Prune heavily in autumn or winter
They prefer a gentle tidy rather than a full makeover - If you find yourself holding a saw, you’ve gone too far.
Is It Worth It?
Absolutely.
Growing citrus in the UK won’t turn your garden into Sicily, but it will give you:
Evergreen foliage year-round
Highly scented flowers
Glossy fruit that looks suspiciously expensive
Bragging rights that never get old
And when you finally slice into your own lemon, grown through British rain, frost, and stubborn optimism, it will taste all the sweeter. Growing citrus in the UK is less about pretending you live in Spain and more about clever management, good timing, and learning when to move a pot very quickly indoors.
Treat your Citrus well, protect them from winter, feed them generously, and forgive them for their dramatic tendencies. They may not thrive because they’re in Britain - but they will thrive in spite of it.
And really, that’s very British of them. 🍋🍊
If you have any questions please ask.
Happy Gardening
Geoff
Who am I?
I'm a horticulturalist with over 40 years experience in the field. From running garden centres and nurseries growing plants for sale to now, well for the last 12 years, running my own gardening business I'm bringing my expertise to those who are interested. I receive no money or reward for my blogs so they're purely my own thoughts, ideas and experience - enjoy.
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