Are you growing a calamondin tree in your yard? If so, read on to learn how to care for a calamondin tree.

Citrus trees offer their own unique beauty: white flowers, lush leaves, and bright fruit. However, they tend to need special care.

Is a calamondin tree gracing your home, or are you hoping to get one? Then you'll want to know how to care for it and keep it thriving. With the right care, these trees won't just beautify your space: they'll also produce useful fruit.

Ready to learn all about calamondin tree care? Read on to find out how to make that tree thrive!

What is a Calamondin Tree?

Calamondin trees are also known as miniature orange trees and are usually used for decorative purposes. Like orange trees, they have white blossoms and produce orange-colored fruits. Many people love them for their delicately-scented flowers, and tart, small fruits.

Unlike some citrus varieties, these trees are often grown inside. Since they're small, they're easy to manage. However, if you live in the right climate, they can also be grown outdoors. These trees thrive in direct sun, or partial shade.

Basic Calamondin Tree Care

Now, let's take a look at what these trees need to grow well, indoors or out.

Planting

First, as with all trees, the way you plant a calamondin matters. You'll start with a young plant from a nursery.

If you want the challenge of growing it to fruition, opt for one that's a year old or less. You'll need to care for it for a while before it starts flowering. But if you want flowers and fruit right away, get a tree that's already a couple years old.

If you plant it inside, make sure to use a big enough container. Make sure the pot is plenty big for the ball of roots and has enough drainage. If you plant it outside, you'll need a hole that's properly sized. Don't dig down too deep, as this can cause the roots to rot.

Feeding

Your calamondin tree also needs nourishment.

When you plant it, use a mixture of one part organic compost, one part potting soil, and one part vermiculite. Place it where it gets full or mostly-full sun for the best results.

You can fertilize the soil regularly with a water-soluble fertilizer. Use full-strength in the growing season, and half-strength in the winter.

Caring

With proper placement and feeding, your tree will start to thrive.

To care for it, make sure to water it regularly to keep the soil damp. If the plant is outdoors, you'll probably need to water it more often.

If you harvest fruit or flowers, use scissors so you won't damage the plant. You should also prune away any branches that die or show signs of disease. Clean the dust off the leaves regularly so mites can't infest the tree.

What to Do with Calamondin Citrus Fruits

Soon, your calamondin tree will be thriving. Now, all that's left to do is enjoy the harvest!

The fruits look like tangerines but taste much more tart. You'll want to use them as you would a lime or a lemon since they're too sour to be eaten straight.

Growing Trees is fun, and every tree we send comes with a 20-page care guide.