How to Grow Dwarf Citrus on Patios

Select a decorative pot that has drainage holes on the bottom. Choose a pot with a diameter of at least 12 inches when planting a young tree. After two to three years, dwarf citrus trees should be repotted into a pot with a diameter of 16 to 20 inches.

Plant the tree using a lightweight, well-draining potting mix. Add 1 inch of potting mix to the bottom of the container. Remove the dwarf citrus tree from its original container, being careful to keep the tree's root ball intact. Place the tree in the container and fill with the remaining potting mix. Lightly tamp the soil around the plant to provide additional stability. Water deeply, adding at least 1 inch of water to the newly planted tree.

Place the container in a sunny area of the patio. Dwarf citrus trees need a minimum of eight hours of direct sunlight each day. Rotate the container weekly to ensure that the tree grows evenly.

Water deeply once or twice weekly, adding approximately 1 inch of water per week. Check the soil every two to five days. Trees should be watered when the top 3 inches of soil are dry; watering too frequently can result in soggy soil.

Fertilize the tree with a nitrogen-heavy formula, preferably one with a 2-1-1 or 3-1-1 ratio of nitrogen to other minerals. Follow application instructions that accompany the product you are using.

Prune trees periodically to enhance shaping, maintain size and stimulate fruit production. Remove any leggy-looking branches or any limbs that cross. Additionally, the tree's roots should be pruned every three to four years to control growth. Remove the tree from its container and remove 2 to 3 inches of root material from the sides and bottom of the root ball. Replace the plant in a container filled with fresh potting mix and water thoroughly.

Place containers in a sunny, indoor location for the winter. Dwarf citrus varieties can withstand light frost, but are generally hardy only in warmer locations. For example, Meyer lemon trees are hardy in United States Department of Agriculture zones 8 through 11, characterized by average annual minimum temperatures of 10 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Move the tree back outside once the danger of frost has passed.