A small evergreen shrub of 1 to 2 metres, hung with little orange fruits from late autumn to early spring, the calamondin (Citrus mitis) is the orange tree that genuinely thrives in a heated room. Give it a well-lit spot out of scorching direct sun and away from radiators, and it will flower and fruit indoors.
| Name | Citrus mitis |
|---|---|
| Family | Rutaceae (Rue family) |
| Height | 3 to 6 ½ feet (1 to 2 meters) |
| Exposure | luminous indoor |
| Soil | soil mix |
| Foliage | evergreen |
| Fruit formation | late autumn to early spring |
Caring for it is easy, and repotting, watering and pruning, are all good practices that will help you to have a good-looking orange tree.
Soil mix with added fertilizer is usually recommended for planting Citrus mitis.
Anticipate repotting in a pot that is slightly larger than the previous every 2 or 3 years on average.
It can only grow directly in the ground in Mediterranean-type climates or tropical climates.
If this is the case, mix soil mix into your garden soil and ensure that your soil drains well.
If it doesn’t drain well, dig a hole that is slightly deeper, and layer gravel, rocks, sand or clay pebbles along the bottom.
Almost everything a calamondin asks for is a matter of doing the right job at the right moment. This table gathers the tasks named in this article, with the season each one belongs to.
| Task | When | How often | Key point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repotting | Late winter to spring, or late summer | Every 2 to 3 years | Move into a pot only slightly larger, holed at the base |
| Pruning | Spring, just after repotting | Only when the shape needs it | Light cuts to rebalance the silhouette; pruning is not really needed |
| Watering | Spring and summer | Regularly, more in warm weather | Water as soon as the soil is dry, never to excess |
| Watering | Midwinter | Sparingly | Wait until a full inch (a few cm) of soil has dried out |
| Feeding | Through the growing season | Regularly | Citrus-specific fertiliser lifts both fruit and leaf quality |
| Moving outdoors | Late spring to late summer | Once, each year | Only after frost risk has gone; balcony, terrace or deck |
Beyond this, a well-lit spot away from the radiator is all that stands between you and fruit.
Pruning isn’t really needed, but, to rebalance the silhouette of your citrus mitis, prune lightly after repotting, in spring.
Adding citrus-specific fertilizer will considerably increase fruit and foliage quality.
Indoors, water regularly but not too much as soon as the soil is dry. No need to water too much, it would make your citrus mitis suffer.
Citrus mitis, also commonly called calamondin, is a small fruit shrub that produces edible fruits, but they’re so acidic that they’re hard to digest.
Indoors, simply set your citrus mitis in a well-lit spot but avoid direct sunlight during the hottest hours.
Also avoid setting it right near a radiator.
If you can, it is good to bring your Citrus mitis outdoors after any risk of freezing has disappeared, from spring until the end of summer, either on a balcony, terrace, or garden deck.
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Adding fertilizer for citrus plants regularly will greatly increase blooming and fruit formation.
