Newsletter Articles

Best Time to Plant Citrus in Southern California

Posted on by Green Thumb
Why you should consider buying your citrus now at a Southern California garden center.

In mild-winter Southern California you can plant citrus almost any time of year, and fall is a great time to get a tree in the ground so its roots establish before summer heat. The one rule: do not set a young, unestablished tree out right before a hard frost or an intense heat spell, since it is not yet tough enough to shrug those off.[1]

Quick answer: Citrus can go in the ground almost any time in frost-free parts of SoCal; University of California names just after the last spring frost as the classic best window, and fall planting works well in our mild winters because roots settle in before the heat. Give the tree full sun and well-drained soil, and buy from a reputable, licensed California nursery to help keep a serious citrus disease out of your garden.

Here is when to plant, which citrus to choose for Southern California, how to plant and protect your tree, and the one disease every California citrus grower should know about.

When Is the Best Time to Plant Citrus in Southern California?

University of California notes that containerized citrus can be planted almost any time of year, with the classic best window being just after the last frost in spring.[1] In the mild, largely frost-free parts of Southern California that window is wide, and fall is a good time to plant: a tree set out in the cool season has months to establish roots before the following summer, and trees planted during cooler months are better able to handle their first winter.[2] The thing to avoid is planting a young tree right before extreme summer heat or a hard frost, because a sudden hot spell or freeze can damage a tree that has not established yet.[2]

Why Grow Citrus in Your SoCal Yard?

Citrus is one of the signature plants of the Southern California garden. The trees are evergreen, many are fragrant in bloom, and a single dwarf tree in a pot or a corner of the yard can supply a household with lemons, oranges, or mandarins. Our climate is well suited to citrus, which is exactly why it is worth choosing the right type and planting it well.

Best Citrus Trees for Southern California

Match the citrus to how much heat your spot gets, since different types ripen best in different microclimates:[3]

  • Lemons and limes need the least heat and produce well even near the coast, which makes them the easy starting point for most yards.
  • Valencia oranges produce good fruit in both coastal and inland areas.
  • Navel oranges want more heat and are at their best in inland valleys.
  • Mandarins, tangelos, blood oranges, and grapefruit need even more heat for top-quality fruit, so they shine in warmer inland gardens.

Short on space? Citrus grown on dwarfing rootstock such as Flying Dragon stays small enough to grow primarily as a potted plant, so even a patio can hold a productive tree.[4] The UC Riverside citrus collection catalogs hundreds of varieties if you want to explore beyond the basics.

How to Plant and Care for Citrus

  • Full sun, well-drained soil. Pick a site that gets full sun most of the day and is protected from strong winds; good drainage is essential.[5]
  • Plant slightly high. Set the root ball so its top sits about an inch above the soil line. Planting too deep lets water stand against the trunk and invites root and crown rots.[1]
  • Water deeply, not in the lawn. Citrus needs roughly 4 to 6 inches of water per month, about every 7 to 10 days in peak summer heat, so give it its own watering zone rather than planting it in the lawn.[1]
  • Feed with nitrogen, not too late. Citrus are nitrogen feeders; split feedings through the growing season and avoid late-season nitrogen, which delays fruit coloring. Check UC IPM for rates by tree age.[1]

Protecting Citrus from Frost

Citrus is a subtropical plant and is particularly susceptible to cold, which is why it does best in mild-winter areas.[6] Trees are generally damaged when temperatures drop below about 24 degrees, and fruit can be damaged below about 26 degrees.[5] Eureka lemon and grapefruit are among the most cold-sensitive, while mandarin, Meyer lemon, and sweet orange are more cold hardy.[6] When a freeze is forecast, water dry soil a few days ahead, cover the tree overnight with cloth rather than plastic, and avoid late-summer pruning or feeding that leaves tender new growth exposed.[6]

Protect California Citrus from Asian Citrus Psyllid

There is one serious reason to buy your citrus from a reputable local nursery rather than hauling a tree in from elsewhere: the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). ACP is the insect; the disease it carries, Huanglongbing (HLB, or citrus greening), is the deadly part. HLB has no cure, kills infected trees, and is harmless to people and pets, but it is devastating to citrus.[7] California has active HLB quarantines across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties, which restrict moving citrus trees, plant material, and fruit out of those areas.[8]

What you can do: buy citrus only from reputable, licensed California nurseries, never move citrus plants or clippings out of your area, inspect your trees, and report anything suspicious to the CDFA hotline at 1-800-491-1899.[7][9] For current quarantine maps and homeowner guidance, see the state’s California Citrus Threat site, and consult UC IPM before using any treatment.[10]

Green Thumb Nursery carries healthy, California-grown citrus and our garden experts can help you pick the right type for your yard and get it planted right. Browse our outdoor plants, and if you are weighing citrus against other fruit, see our guide to keeping fruit trees small.

Citrus Planting FAQ

What is the best time to plant citrus in Southern California?

Citrus can be planted almost any time of year in mild-winter Southern California. The classic best window is just after the last spring frost, and fall is also a good time so roots establish before summer. Avoid planting a young tree right before a hard frost or a heat wave.[1]

When should you plant citrus trees in Southern California?

Plant when the weather is mild, not during extreme summer heat or a hard freeze. In frost-free coastal and inland SoCal areas, fall through early spring is a comfortable window for a young tree to settle in.[2]

Where can you buy a lemon tree in Southern California?

Buy from a reputable, licensed California nursery such as Green Thumb Nursery. Buying local healthy stock, rather than moving trees in from elsewhere, helps keep the Asian citrus psyllid and HLB disease out of your garden.[7]

What citrus grows best in Southern California?

Lemons and limes are the easiest because they need the least heat and do well even near the coast. Valencia oranges suit coastal and inland yards, while navel oranges, mandarins, and grapefruit want the extra heat of inland valleys.[3]

Can you plant citrus in fall in California?

Yes, in mild-winter parts of California fall is a fine time to plant citrus, giving the tree time to establish roots before summer. Just protect a young tree if an unusual hard frost is forecast its first winter.[6]

Sources

Written by David S.

Sign up for the Green Thumb Nursery newsletter for seasonal Southern California gardening tips.

The owner of this website has made a commitment to accessibility and inclusion, please report any problems that you encounter.This site uses the WP ADA Compliance Check plugin to enhance accessibility. Learn More