How to Grow Citrus in the Kitchen

Place your potted citrus plant in the brightest available place in your kitchen, ideally where it receives at least five hours of sunshine per day. Put it on a dish of damp gravel to maintain local humidity levels. Rotate the pot every week so the plant grows evenly.

Water the citrus plant when the top inch of its soil is completely dry. Apply enough water to completely soak the soil and begin to drain out the hole at the bottom of the container. Allow all excess water to drain away. Increase the frequency of watering when the citrus is flowering or bearing small fruit.

Fertilize your citrus plant three times per year in winter, June and August, using an acidic fertilizer rich in nitrogen or a product formulated especially for citrus plants.

Spray the leaves regularly with water to wash off dirt and control spider mites. Treat any insect infestations with an insecticidal spray soap.

Place your citrus plant outdoors in a sunny and sheltered spot during the summer. Make the move gradually, increasing the time spent outdoors by an hour per day, to prevent leaf drop or sunburn. Move it back indoors gradually before minimum temperatures fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.