Citrus plants

If you long for more southerly climes on cold winter days, you can create a Mediterranean oasis of citrus plants in your home - you will find a great selection in well-stocked specialist shops. With their evergreen leaves and white, wonderfully fragrant flowers, the small trees are also an ornamental feature when they are not bearing fruit.

Origin

Citrus plants originally come from the tropical and subtropical regions of South East Asia, where they were cultivated more than 4,000 years ago for their edible fruit. Today, they grow in nature wherever there are long, warm summers - for example around the Mediterranean. Over the centuries, countless hybrids have been created within the citrus genus. The best-known representatives are kumquats, limes, mandarins (including clementines), oranges, grapefruits (including grapefruits and pomelos) and lemons.

Light-loving exotics

Small citrus trees were already very popular as ornamental plants in the orangeries of the European aristocracy in the 17th century and have lost none of their fascination to this day. They are available from florists or specialist garden centres in sizes between 50 and 250 centimetres. Although it is not as warm and sunny in Germany as in Italy or Spain, citrus plants also thrive here. In summer they feel at home on the patio or balcony, in winter they need to be brought indoors. First and foremost, they need a bright location - for example, a large south-facing window. It is also important that the room in which the plants are placed is only moderately heated. A sunny conservatory with an average temperature of 15 degrees Celsius offers ideal conditions. If citrus plants lose their leaves, the daylight in your home will not be sufficient. In this case, you can install a special plant lamp.

Water yes, but not too much

Citrus plants feel most at home in a large pot with low-lime, humus-rich and well-drained soil. They need to be watered regularly, but do not tolerate waterlogging - yellowing leaves are a sign that the plant is too wet. Draughts are also not good for the trees. However, the green leaves will shine all the more intensely if you wipe them regularly with a damp cloth. With good care, your citrus plants will produce lots of bright flowers with a sweet fragrance. And with a bit of luck, you'll be able to enjoy a handful of fruit.

Would you have known?

Unlike oranges, lemons continue to ripen after they have been picked.