How to Grow Calamondin
x Citrofortunella microcarpa
Calamondin is the most popular indoor citrus, a compact Citrus x Fortunella hybrid producing fragrant white flowers and abundant small (3-4cm) orange fruits almost year-round. Grow in a 35-45cm pot with citrus compost and excellent drainage. Place in the brightest spot available, outdoors in full sun from late May to September, then in a cool bright room (8-12C) over winter. Feed every two weeks with citrus fertiliser spring to autumn. Fruits are too sour to eat raw but excellent for marmalade, drinks, and Southeast Asian cooking.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Requirements
Light
Brightest spot available; full sun outdoors in summer
Bright direct light is essential. Place outdoors in full sun from late May to September. Indoors, a south-facing window or conservatory is ideal. Calamondin tolerates slightly lower light than most citrus but still needs as much as possible.
Watering
Water when top 2cm dry; reduce in winter
Water when the top 2cm of compost feels dry. Use rainwater where possible as calamondin dislikes hard water. Reduce watering significantly in winter. Never let pots sit in water.
Fertilizing
Citrus feed fortnightly spring to autumn
Feed every two weeks with a specialist citrus fertiliser from spring to autumn. Reduce to monthly in winter. Calamondin fruits prolifically and needs consistent nutrition.
Pruning
Light shaping in late winter; tolerates hard pruning
Prune in late winter before new growth. Remove dead or crossing branches and shape to desired form. Calamondin tolerates pruning well and can be kept very compact.
Overwintering
Cool bright room (8-12C); frost-free
Bring indoors before any frost to a bright room at 8-12C. Avoid warm centrally heated rooms. Ventilate on mild days. Less hardy than kumquat.
Growing Tips
Perfect indoor citrus
Calamondin's compact habit and tolerance of lower light make it the best citrus for indoor growing. A 35-45cm pot with citrus compost is ideal.
Maximum light
Place in the brightest spot available year-round. Move outdoors to full sun from late May to September for the best flowering and fruiting.
Feed through the season
Feed every two weeks with citrus fertiliser from April to September. Yellowing leaves between veins often signal iron deficiency.
Cool bright winter quarters
Move indoors before the first frost to a cool bright room at 8-12C. Avoid warm centrally heated rooms which cause leaf drop.
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 150 cm |
| Row spacing | 200 cm |
| Mature height | 200 cm |
| Mature spread | 150 cm |
Compact shrub/small tree, 1-2m indoors. Space 1.5m apart if growing multiple plants.
