How to Grow and Care for Citrus

Key lime (Citrus aurantiifolia) is an evergreen fruit tree famous for its golf-ball-sized green limes, which are used to make key lime pie and cocktails. It has dark green leaves and has sharp thorns. It blooms fragrant, white, star-shaped flowers in spring and produces fruit in summer. Grows in full sun with well-drained soil.

Lemon is a cultivated small evergreen tree known for its yellow, juicy, sour fruits full of citric acid. Its origins are unknown, but it was probably first created in India, China, or Burma as a hybrid of sour orange (Citrus × aurantium) and citron (Citrus medica). It is commercial fruit cultivated in warm regions around the world.

The bitter orange, or Citrus × aurantium, are an ornamental citrus frequently used as root stock for other types of orange trees. Bitter orange trees are colder hardy than their edible cousins and can be grown in large containers outdoors. The fruit and rind are bitter and sour compared to traditional oranges, but can be used to make marmalade.

The mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata) is a citrus fruit tree. It is famed for its Mandarin oranges, a commonly consumed fruit which can be eaten plain or used in salads. During the Chinese New Year, the fruit is considered a symbol of good fortune.

This dwarf citrus tree grows extremely well when potted in a sunny spot indoors, and its maximum height is 1.5 m. Both the kaffir lime's fruit and the distinctive, two-lobed leaves are edible and an important part of many tropical Asian dishes. The fruits can also be used in cleaning solutions and hair care products.