Mary Carol Sheffield, UGA Cooperative Extension agent, spoke with Country Living about giving citrus trees as gifts.
Although they are great plants, particularly for experienced plant parents, they do require some TLC.
“They’re not necessarily plants for beginners because they need a little more maintenance than many plants,” Sheffield said. “But with the right care, they’re fun to watch grow, especially when your tree produces fruit.”
These trees make ideal patio plants in the warm weather months, but they can be brought back indoors for winter before temperatures drop into the 40s, Sheffield said.
When it’s time to move them back outdoors next spring, make sure nighttime temperatures are no longer getting below 40 degrees. Then gradually acclimate it to full sun conditions — leave it outdoors for a few hours in the shade, then move it into the sun for an hour or so and gradually work all the way up to full sun conditions.