Citrus

Citrus want a free-draining, open compost that is slightly on the acidic side. In their native climate they enjoy warm, well-drained ground, and in a UK pot they need the same fast drainage so the roots are never left standing in water. At the same time the compost must not dry out completely, because citrus dislike drought as much as waterlogging. A specialist citrus compost is formulated to strike that balance, holding steady moisture while still draining freely.

Aim for consistently moist but never soggy. Water thoroughly when the top few centimetres of compost feel dry, let the excess drain away, and never leave the pot standing in a saucer of water. Citrus need more in warm, bright weather and much less in winter. Erratic watering, swinging between bone dry and saturated, is a common cause of leaf drop, so try to keep the compost evenly moist rather than lurching between extremes.

Leaf drop and yellowing in citrus usually come down to roots and feeding. Cold, waterlogged compost, or the opposite, prolonged drought, will both trigger leaf drop, which is why steady watering in a free-draining compost matters so much. Yellowing leaves often signal a nutrient shortage, as citrus are hungry plants that quickly exhaust the feed in their pot. Keeping them in the right compost and feeding through the year usually turns things around.

Citrus are hungry and need feeding almost all year round. Use a dedicated citrus feed, of which there are usually two: a summer feed for the main growing season and a winter feed for the cooler months. Follow the feed's instructions rather than guessing, and always apply it to damp compost. Because citrus feed constantly and are sensitive to a build-up of salts, refreshing the top layer of compost each spring also helps.

Repot every couple of years in spring, moving up just one pot size, or simply refresh the top few centimetres of compost if the tree is already in a large container. Ease the tree out, tease away some of the old compost from around the roots without tearing them, and settle it into fresh citrus compost at the same depth. Water it in well and keep it out of cold draughts while it settles.

Ours is formulated for the free-draining, steady-moisture conditions citrus need, and it is enriched with pure worm casts. The worm casts improve structure and water retention so the compost holds moisture evenly without turning soggy, and they release micronutrients gently to support strong roots and healthy growth. It is a proper citrus mix rather than general compost, designed to make these fussy trees easier to keep.