No citrus plant is hardy north of the Alps. Hibernation in the house is linked to important premises. The right light and temperature conditions are important if you want to overwinter a citrus plant successfully. Don't miss out on these tried-and-tested winter care tips.
Citrus plants do not like cold
Overwinter the citrus plant in a light and cool place
Evergreen terrace plants from the Mediterranean go limp outside when the thermometer drops to freezing point. Attentive citrus gardeners put lemon, tangerine, orange and citron in the bright and cool winter quarters in good time. How to overwinter a citrus plant without leaf loss:
- lighting conditions: bright to sunny with shading in direct sunlight
- temperatures: ideal 3° to 8° Celsius (not below 0.5°-1° Celsius, not above 10°-12° Celsius)
- winter quarters: rooms with moderate temperatures, such as conservatories, bedrooms, stairwells, greenhouses with frost protection
If the thermometer exceeds the 10 degree mark in winter, things get tricky for the citrus plant. Under the influence of rising room temperatures with a lack of winter light, the evergreen leaves fall off in droves. A change of location to a cooler winter room solves the problem. Alternatively, a daylight or plant lamp (€21.99) compensates for the lack of light.
Overwintering citrus plants - care tips
Ideal light and temperature conditions alone are not enough to keep a citrus plant healthy over the winter. A special care program guides evergreen potted plants through the tricky winter season. With this winter care you effectively prevent leaf loss:
- Cover buckets with fleece, jute ribbons or felt
- Place the vessel on wood, styrofoam or coconut as a shield against the cold ground
- If the soil is noticeably dry, water very sparingly with rainwater at room temperature
- Do not fertilize from the end of October to the end of February
- Check leaves weekly for pest infestation
When the light conditions improve at the beginning of March, repot the citrus plant in fresh substrate and, if necessary, a larger pot. On this occasion, lemon trees benefit from a moderate form and maintenance pruning.
Harden first - then clear out
In regions with mild winters, the outdoor season for the citrus plant begins in April. An abrupt change of location to full sun results in massive leaf damage. A hardening phase effectively prevents sunburn. The overwintered citrus plant can get used to the sun for 10 to 14 days in a semi-shady, warm location on the balcony and terrace.
tips
A dwarf orange (Citrus mitris) is the only citrus plant north of the Alps that will be happy to keep you company in your comfortably heated living room during the winter. Granted in good time at 15° Celsius, you can overwinter a calamondin orange tree on the sunny south-facing window sill.