9 Citrus Trees That THRIVE in Cold Climates
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Date: 2025-05-31
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Comments and reviews: 20
wjm1319
I have several not-necessarily-hardy citrus in zone 7, so far, all in pots. Tips I have for keeping them alive through the winter - 1) Vego has a lovely round rolling pot (basically made from 4 corners of their raised beds) with super-hefty, easy-rolling wheels that are self-watering and large enough for a good-sized tree. They're not great for indoors (tends to leak & make a wet mess on the floor, but can easily be rolled into a greenhouse or other winter-protected area (or onto a protected floor, 2) Cut back on the watering over the winter - but not too much, especially if they're in your house. Dry winter air created by HVAC systems will dry them out faster than you might think and drought-stressed plants don't fight off pests well. 3) About January or so, they almost invariably will get infested with spider mites, mealy bugs, whiteflies, or some other pest. Be ready for it and treat as soon as you notice so they don't strip the plant. Personal opinion is that the reduced sunlight around the winter solstice in the higher latitudes stresses the trees out, making them more susceptible. They do recover in spring, but if you can keep the pest pressure lighter, they recover faster and better.
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I have several not-necessarily-hardy citrus in zone 7, so far, all in pots. Tips I have for keeping them alive through the winter - 1) Vego has a lovely round rolling pot (basically made from 4 corners of their raised beds) with super-hefty, easy-rolling wheels that are self-watering and large enough for a good-sized tree. They're not great for indoors (tends to leak & make a wet mess on the floor, but can easily be rolled into a greenhouse or other winter-protected area (or onto a protected floor, 2) Cut back on the watering over the winter - but not too much, especially if they're in your house. Dry winter air created by HVAC systems will dry them out faster than you might think and drought-stressed plants don't fight off pests well. 3) About January or so, they almost invariably will get infested with spider mites, mealy bugs, whiteflies, or some other pest. Be ready for it and treat as soon as you notice so they don't strip the plant. Personal opinion is that the reduced sunlight around the winter solstice in the higher latitudes stresses the trees out, making them more susceptible. They do recover in spring, but if you can keep the pest pressure lighter, they recover faster and better.
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TealStarSusan
You have made me VERY happy! We are Brits living in northern Portugal with SO many different fruits including citrus: but we are trying to sell up and move back to Scotland - and I honestly thought that no citrus would grow there without say a greenhouse. moving about is not a thing anymore for us as we are in our 70s! A lemon would be fantastic next to a wall! I might try some of your other citrus too! Btw, here we have a large shrubby grapefruit that has enormous flowers, and enormous fruits too. but unfortunately it has actual fruit inside the size of a small mandarin. with the rest being thick white pith! We have tried every bit of advice to no avail, but we keep it as it’s no bother and the flowers are magnificent with a very strong fragrance! And the zest is ok for liqueurs! Thanks once again!
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You have made me VERY happy! We are Brits living in northern Portugal with SO many different fruits including citrus: but we are trying to sell up and move back to Scotland - and I honestly thought that no citrus would grow there without say a greenhouse. moving about is not a thing anymore for us as we are in our 70s! A lemon would be fantastic next to a wall! I might try some of your other citrus too! Btw, here we have a large shrubby grapefruit that has enormous flowers, and enormous fruits too. but unfortunately it has actual fruit inside the size of a small mandarin. with the rest being thick white pith! We have tried every bit of advice to no avail, but we keep it as it’s no bother and the flowers are magnificent with a very strong fragrance! And the zest is ok for liqueurs! Thanks once again!
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kirstypollock6811
We get down to -15C for a bit most years. My issue is we're 54N and so summers are not as warm (usually) and the sun not nearly so strong. At least winter tends to be low humidity (normally, but can be very grey. There's a few on your list that might work for me, especially in the polycarbonate greenhouse (which had NO frost this year at all, despite the field getting it.
Walls are amazing. On the SW corner of my barn, I've got volunteer squash that laughed at a late, week-long below-freezing cold snap. They are as big as the ones I started indoors and was bringing in to a warm room at night! Also sheltered by longish grass on one side and an old van on the other.
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We get down to -15C for a bit most years. My issue is we're 54N and so summers are not as warm (usually) and the sun not nearly so strong. At least winter tends to be low humidity (normally, but can be very grey. There's a few on your list that might work for me, especially in the polycarbonate greenhouse (which had NO frost this year at all, despite the field getting it.
Walls are amazing. On the SW corner of my barn, I've got volunteer squash that laughed at a late, week-long below-freezing cold snap. They are as big as the ones I started indoors and was bringing in to a warm room at night! Also sheltered by longish grass on one side and an old van on the other.
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51rwyatt
I live in central Maine, Zone 4. I'm working on my citrus game, and have 5-gallon buckets with Owari Satsuma, Yuzu, Improved Meyer Lemon, and makrut lime. So far so good, two seasons in. I overwinter the pots indoors, a mix of my porch and in another room when the porch gets too cold. I'm using grow lights for overwintering, on a timer. I try to keep them above 55F during winter indoors. Looking forward to getting fruit one day and settling into my overwintering/care routine.
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I live in central Maine, Zone 4. I'm working on my citrus game, and have 5-gallon buckets with Owari Satsuma, Yuzu, Improved Meyer Lemon, and makrut lime. So far so good, two seasons in. I overwinter the pots indoors, a mix of my porch and in another room when the porch gets too cold. I'm using grow lights for overwintering, on a timer. I try to keep them above 55F during winter indoors. Looking forward to getting fruit one day and settling into my overwintering/care routine.
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aletajacobson5609
You mentioned pomegranates and I have a question about them. My tree is good over 3 years old so I was expecting fruit last year. We had a windy period and all the blossoms blew off. This year we had blossoms but what I’m seeing now is they are falling off. I have pollinators near the three and lots of bees. What do you think is happening I live about 2hrs north of San Diego. In LA county. Help please.
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You mentioned pomegranates and I have a question about them. My tree is good over 3 years old so I was expecting fruit last year. We had a windy period and all the blossoms blew off. This year we had blossoms but what I’m seeing now is they are falling off. I have pollinators near the three and lots of bees. What do you think is happening I live about 2hrs north of San Diego. In LA county. Help please.
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thall3827
Millennial Gardener in NC has some post cool setups for his citrus and some other trees. I think he even got bananas to fruit. But I do have to sympathize with some of the other commenters. Unless we're willing to go to some crazy lengths there's just gonna be some stuff we can't grow guys. But with some of these tips and varieties, more people who thought they couldn't have a shot. I'm too lazy for this though
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Millennial Gardener in NC has some post cool setups for his citrus and some other trees. I think he even got bananas to fruit. But I do have to sympathize with some of the other commenters. Unless we're willing to go to some crazy lengths there's just gonna be some stuff we can't grow guys. But with some of these tips and varieties, more people who thought they couldn't have a shot. I'm too lazy for this though
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tidalcreekfarm
My Limequat fruited abundantly year 2 and is loaded with blooms now. Here in Charleston we seem to flirt with the high teens at least once every Winter. I bring everything into the garage on cold nights. Both Brownes and Owari Satsumas have a decent fruit set. All my citrus (11 trees) are 2 or 3 years old, in 15 or 20 gallon containers and are easily moved with a handcart to go inside or chase the sun.
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My Limequat fruited abundantly year 2 and is loaded with blooms now. Here in Charleston we seem to flirt with the high teens at least once every Winter. I bring everything into the garage on cold nights. Both Brownes and Owari Satsumas have a decent fruit set. All my citrus (11 trees) are 2 or 3 years old, in 15 or 20 gallon containers and are easily moved with a handcart to go inside or chase the sun.
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jackhogston6119
Ah, the view from southern California! No way any of these would survive outdoors, even with protection, in a truly cold climate. Here in eastern Nebraska we regularly see temps well below zero even in relatively mild winters, so, no way. To say nothing of states like Minnesota, the Dakotas, Wisconsin, and more. I wouldn't call these cold -hardy, maybe 'cool-hardy'
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Ah, the view from southern California! No way any of these would survive outdoors, even with protection, in a truly cold climate. Here in eastern Nebraska we regularly see temps well below zero even in relatively mild winters, so, no way. To say nothing of states like Minnesota, the Dakotas, Wisconsin, and more. I wouldn't call these cold -hardy, maybe 'cool-hardy'
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puggirl415
I live in San Francisco same zone as San Diego but nowhere near as warm for gardening. In any case whether it's for looks or for warmth I see a lot of fruit trees espaliered on the sunny walls of stucco houses. I love the look. Kind of like squash grown on a cattle panel archway; Espalier gives the warmth to fruit trees that need it and looks awesome with fruit on it.
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I live in San Francisco same zone as San Diego but nowhere near as warm for gardening. In any case whether it's for looks or for warmth I see a lot of fruit trees espaliered on the sunny walls of stucco houses. I love the look. Kind of like squash grown on a cattle panel archway; Espalier gives the warmth to fruit trees that need it and looks awesome with fruit on it.
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epic_gardening
I grow a Meyer Lemon and A random KeyLime and Mandarin Orange in West Virginia. I keep them under 5 ft in height and 3 ft width in giant containers. I use a dolly and roll them in garage when twmps get consistently under 32. Basically 4 to 5months a year here. Have a cheap grow light on a 12 hour timer. Garage is not heated but stays above freezing
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I grow a Meyer Lemon and A random KeyLime and Mandarin Orange in West Virginia. I keep them under 5 ft in height and 3 ft width in giant containers. I use a dolly and roll them in garage when twmps get consistently under 32. Basically 4 to 5months a year here. Have a cheap grow light on a 12 hour timer. Garage is not heated but stays above freezing
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jeffh4522
I'm on year 2 of my Meyer Lemon in zone 6B. It is doing great but I do have to bring it indoors in the winter and put it under lights. Other than dealing with indoor pest infestations from time to time (how in the world does citrus scale get up to Ohio) I'm happy with it. Looking to add a lime tree this year or next.
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I'm on year 2 of my Meyer Lemon in zone 6B. It is doing great but I do have to bring it indoors in the winter and put it under lights. Other than dealing with indoor pest infestations from time to time (how in the world does citrus scale get up to Ohio) I'm happy with it. Looking to add a lime tree this year or next.
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StargazingDragon
Zone 6 but I grew lemon trees from some store lemons just for fun and bring them inside in the winter. Even if you don't get lemons eventually the leaves still smell like lemons and they're lovely little trees. I gave some as gifts one year. They're probably dead by now but everyone loved them at the time
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Zone 6 but I grew lemon trees from some store lemons just for fun and bring them inside in the winter. Even if you don't get lemons eventually the leaves still smell like lemons and they're lovely little trees. I gave some as gifts one year. They're probably dead by now but everyone loved them at the time
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epic_gardening
Hello Kevin and the Epic Gardening crew! I love the videos and want to say thank you for all of the useful information you share! I would like to ask, how do you use or preserve the garlic scapes from your garden I would also like to invite anyone else who has ideas to chime in as well! Thank you!
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Hello Kevin and the Epic Gardening crew! I love the videos and want to say thank you for all of the useful information you share! I would like to ask, how do you use or preserve the garlic scapes from your garden I would also like to invite anyone else who has ideas to chime in as well! Thank you!
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epic_gardening
UGA has released several frost hardy citrus, they all have frost in the name. Grand frost (lemon, Pink Frost (grapefruit, Southern Frost (orange, and Sweet Frost (mandarin. The University of Florida has several of their own varieties as well, worth looking into for anyone in the Southeast.
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UGA has released several frost hardy citrus, they all have frost in the name. Grand frost (lemon, Pink Frost (grapefruit, Southern Frost (orange, and Sweet Frost (mandarin. The University of Florida has several of their own varieties as well, worth looking into for anyone in the Southeast.
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jeanwoodall1523
I love calamansi. My favorite food is sinigang (Filipino sour soup; prefer tamarind as the souring agent; likely need a heated greenhouse to grow either. Mom is Filipino and Dad was Caucasian. I solely resemble his side of the family. I also have his calm personality and mannerisms.
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I love calamansi. My favorite food is sinigang (Filipino sour soup; prefer tamarind as the souring agent; likely need a heated greenhouse to grow either. Mom is Filipino and Dad was Caucasian. I solely resemble his side of the family. I also have his calm personality and mannerisms.
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adam_1144
I'm growing Owari Satsuma Mandarin, Meyer Lemon, Nagami Kumquat, and loquat trees here in zone 7b South Jersey. They were able to survive the winter and I'm looking forward to seeing how they acclimate and fruit. All but the loquat are already fruiting and have been for a couple years.
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I'm growing Owari Satsuma Mandarin, Meyer Lemon, Nagami Kumquat, and loquat trees here in zone 7b South Jersey. They were able to survive the winter and I'm looking forward to seeing how they acclimate and fruit. All but the loquat are already fruiting and have been for a couple years.
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travishunter8573
Ive been growing a clementine from seed in 6a by having it in a pot waiting for my first fruit to rippen at the moment. I have a few others as well in pots but also i have some trifoliates as a hedge that i just planted so hopefully i get a few lemons from them in a few years
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Ive been growing a clementine from seed in 6a by having it in a pot waiting for my first fruit to rippen at the moment. I have a few others as well in pots but also i have some trifoliates as a hedge that i just planted so hopefully i get a few lemons from them in a few years
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abyssal_phoenix
I'll look into getting a yuzu or ichang. Those both sound great, especially the yuzu.
I absolutely love playing with floral notes in my cooking and baking. I think my most famous baked good for example must be the peach/lavender cheesecake with a hint of rose
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I'll look into getting a yuzu or ichang. Those both sound great, especially the yuzu.
I absolutely love playing with floral notes in my cooking and baking. I think my most famous baked good for example must be the peach/lavender cheesecake with a hint of rose
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jmordant444
There is another one called eremorange (Citrus sinensis x glauca. A spontaneous cross between an orange and a wild australian desert lemon. It is supposed to withstand -12 deg. C and lower. Mine is still really small and have not had it outside in winter yet.
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There is another one called eremorange (Citrus sinensis x glauca. A spontaneous cross between an orange and a wild australian desert lemon. It is supposed to withstand -12 deg. C and lower. Mine is still really small and have not had it outside in winter yet.
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NicolaiAAA
I have an Owari in a pot and it made it's very first flower this spring. I don't expect fruit from it this year since it needs more growth to support the fruit. But hopefully next year I'll get some! My Meyer Lemon has been having a blast in the meantime, haha!
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I have an Owari in a pot and it made it's very first flower this spring. I don't expect fruit from it this year since it needs more growth to support the fruit. But hopefully next year I'll get some! My Meyer Lemon has been having a blast in the meantime, haha!
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