Being able to pick a fresh lemon from a tree in the middle of winter may sound like a luxury reserved for warmer climates—but it’s entirely possible here in Zone 5. With the right citrus varieties and a little know-how, citrus plants thrive as container-grown trees that spend summer outdoors and winter inside, bringing beauty, fragrance, and fruit into your home. Growing citrus isn’t difficult once you understand a few key requirements: bright light, consistent watering, and regular fertilizing. January is the perfect time to start—or recommit to—this rewarding project. Choose your favorite citrus, and let the new year begin with blossoms, glossy green leaves, and the promise of fresh-picked fruit. Why Grow Citrus in Zone 5? Citrus plants earn their place as a winter favorite for many reasons. They provide fresh, homegrown fruit and offer year-round visual appeal with evergreen foliage and intensely fragrant white flowers. Citrus trees are also well suited to container gardening, making them ideal for patios, decks, and sunny indoor spaces. The main challenge in Zone 5 is cold. Citrus cannot tolerate freezing temperatures, which means plants must be grown in containers and protected from frost. Indoors, they need proper light, humidity, and attention—but the payoff is well worth it. Top Citrus Cultivars for Zone 5 Not all citrus is equally suited to container culture. The following selections are reliable, productive, and well adapted to life on the move. Adobe Stock  Lemon Varieties Lemon (Citrus limon) The world’s most widely grown lemon includes the classic cultivars ‘Eureka’ and ‘Lisbon.’ Both produce medium to thin-skinned fruit with very high juice content and acidity. Fruits are often seedless or contain only a few seeds. Lemon trees feature lemon-scented foliage and flowers borne at the tips of branches, with buds often tinged purple. See Product Meyer Lemon & Improved Meyer Lemon Meyer lemons are not true lemons but a natural cross between a lemon and a sweet orange. Introduced to the U.S. from China in 1908 by plant explorer Frank Meyer, they are prized for their sweeter, low-acid flavor. Compact growth, prolific flowering, and self-pollination make them one of the best citrus choices for containers and indoor growing.  See Product Lime Varieties Bearss Seedless (Persian) Lime (Citrus latifolia) This vigorous grower produces consistently seedless, high-quality fruit. Lush green foliage is fragrant, and the plant thrives with warmth, bright light, and evenly moist soil. See Product Key Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) Often referred to as a “true lime,” Key lime is extremely sensitive to cold and typically very thorny. It can be grown in containers but requires extra care and protection. See Product Kaffir (Makrut) Lime (Citrus hystrix) Very frost tender and not grown for juice, this lime is valued for its intensely aromatic leaves, widely used in Southeast Asian cooking. It is also known as Makrut or Indonesian lime. See Product Other Citrus Options Orange (Citrus sinensis) Oranges fall into four main groups: Navel, Common, Pigmented (blood oranges), and Sugar or acidless oranges. Navel oranges—such as ‘Washington’ and ‘Cara Cara’—are early ripening, seedless, sweet, and easy to peel, making them the best choice for containers. Common oranges are generally grown for juice and tend to be too seedy for home use. See Product Tangerine (Citrus reticulata) Tangerines are a type of mandarin orange and are sweeter, less tart, and easier to peel. ‘Clementine’ is an excellent container choice, producing juicy, sweet fruit that ripens from late fall into winter and is usually seedless. See Product Calamondin (Citrus × citrofortunella mitis) A hybrid of tangerine and kumquat, calamondin produces small, very tart fruit that is both edible and decorative. It tolerates cooler indoor conditions better than many citrus and excels as an ornamental with culinary potential. See Product Kumquat (Citrus japonica) Kumquats are among the hardiest citrus for container growing. Their unique fruit features a sweet edible peel and a sour, juicy center. They require slightly less water than other citrus and adapt well to indoor life. See Product Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) Grapefruit trees are not recommended for container culture due to their large size and vigorous growth habit. Producing Fruit in Zone 5 Successful fruiting depends on meeting a few critical environmental needs. LightCitrus requires 8–12 hours of bright, direct light daily. During winter, supplemental grow lights are often essential. Rotate containers weekly to ensure even light exposure and balanced growth. TemperatureIdeal temperatures range from 65–85°F. Avoid placing plants near cold drafts or heating vents. During winter, maintaining a minimum temperature around 50°F allows plants to rest while still supporting fruit development. PollinationWhile many citrus plants are self-pollinating, indoor trees benefit from a little assistance. Use a soft brush or cotton swab to transfer pollen between flowers. Making a buzzing sound like a bee is optional—but encouraged for fun. Container Planting Techniques Choose containers with excellent drainage and always empty saucers after watering—never allow pots to sit in water for more than ten minutes. Lightweight containers such as plastic or fiberglass make seasonal moving easier. Use a well-draining potting mix amended with sand or perlite. The soil must be able to re-wet easily after drying out. Chalet’s custom-labeled Potting Soil is a soil-less mix treated with yucca extract, allowing it to absorb water efficiently straight out of the bag. Incorporate a slow-release fertilizer at planting, then supplement with a liquid fertilizer such as SuperThrive GROW (7-9-5 plus 11 micronutrients) applied weekly with watering. Repot citrus every two to three years, or when roots outgrow the container. Trim overly long roots, refresh the potting mix, and remember: roots grow down and out, never up. Always place new soil beneath and around the rootball—not on top. See Product See Product Fertilizing Citrus Plants Citrus are heavy feeders and require balanced nutrition. Use citrus-specific or fruit tree fertilizers with an N-P-K ratio near 6-4-6, along with essential micronutrients like iron, zinc, and manganese. Dr. Earth Fruit Tree Fertilizer or Bud & Bloom Booster work well outdoors during the growing season.  See Product See Product Pest Control for Citrus Plants Citrus grown indoors are susceptible to common pests, but effective solutions are available. Earth-Friendly Options include cold-extracted neem oil, insecticidal soap, and yellow sticky traps for monitoring flying insects. Synthetic Controls such as systemic imidacloprid, pyrethroid sprays, and horticultural oil provide stronger intervention when infestations are severe. Always follow label instructions carefully, especially for indoor use. See Product See Product See Product Seasonal Care Strategies In winter, gradually acclimate plants indoors to prevent shock. Reduce watering to match slower growth—daily watering outdoors often becomes once weekly indoors—and increase humidity with trays or humidifiers. From spring through early fall, transition plants outdoors slowly after frost danger has passed. Choose a sheltered, sunny location and monitor carefully during rainy periods. Prune to remove dead or crossing branches and to maintain shape, always disinfecting tools. Be mindful of timing: citrus flowers form primarily on new growth, so avoid heavy pruning at the end of summer. Harvesting and Using Citrus Fruits Harvest fruit when it is fully colored and slightly firm. Taste testing is the best indicator of ripeness. Cut fruit carefully to avoid damaging branches. Store harvested citrus in a cool, dry place for up to two weeks, or refrigerate for up to a month. Avoid stacking fruit to prevent bruising. Enjoy citrus fresh, zested, or juiced. Use it in syrups, marmalades, and preserves, or incorporate whole fruits into decorative centerpieces for a fragrant, seasonal touch. Growing citrus in Zone 5 is a satisfying blend of gardening skill and everyday joy. With the right varieties and care, your citrus plants can brighten January days—and reward you with fresh flavor all year long. Jennifer Brennan Jennifer Brennan is the Horticulture Information Specialist, advising and coaching gardeners at Chalet for over 30 years. Plant Clinic Appointments Surprised by Snow? Help Your Garden Bounce Back! Read more November Plant of the Month: Elegant Herb Topiaries of Rosemary and Lavender Read more Becky Shasta Daisy Care Instructions Read more

Waking up to heavy snow and the first frost of the season can feel like Mother Nature hit “fast-forward” on winter! If you were still tending to your perennials, getting bulbs in the ground, or enjoying your cool-season annuals, this early blast of snow might have you wondering what to do next. The good news? Temperatures are already climbing back into the 40s and 50s, so you’ve got a chance to help your garden recover and wrap up a few fall tasks before real winter settles in.

Our November “Plant of the Month” is Herb topiary plants because they combine fragrance, form, and function at a time when most outdoor gardens are winding down. Learn more about them here.