Brighten Winter with Sunny Citrus

Who wouldn’t like an endless supply of sunshine, especially this time of year? Well, what if we told you that we knew where you could find a splash of sunshine all year round…that’s easy – citrus! Tuck citrus plants around your house in containers this winter and enjoy their evergreen beauty, sweet fragrance and mouthwatering fruit. Once warm weather sets in, move your citrus plants outside and enjoy them all summer long. Most citrus is hardy to 38°F, but we recommend keeping them indoors until late spring. Here’s some of our favorite citrus plants to add a little sunshine to your home this winter:

Meyer Lemon – A cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange, Meyer has a smooth golden, edible skin, and a high volume of juice but none of the bitterness of a regular lemon. This fruit adds a burst of lemon flavor without the sour bite. With a smooth, golden skin and lush, glossy leaves, this plant pulls double duty by yielding fruit and looking great. It produces small, fragrant flowers year round.

Satsuma Orange – Sweet, juicy mandarin oranges that are easy to peel and are virtually seed-free. Satsuma trees are small, reaching a height of 4 to 6 feet and are cold tolerant to about 26 degrees F. Satsuma trees will grow in the landscape or in containers. Fragrant white blossoms appear in March and April, with the fruit turning bright orange as it ripens in late October into the new year.

Calamondin Orange – Tasty cross between a tangerine and a kumquat. These dwarf orange trees produce fragrant flowers and a small 1-inch fruit. The fruit has a tart, acid flavor similar to a lemon or lime.

McDonald Tip: All citrus trees love sun, the more the better. Keep them near a sunny window during cold weather and let them vacation on your patio during summer months. Learn more about GROWING CITRUS IN CONTAINERS >