Indoor Lime Tree, Juanita, Is Struggling - Ask Extension
Juanita, the lime tree, was doing great. I water her once a week, but checking the soil each time. A little food every 3 months. I have had her over o...
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Indoor Lime Tree, Juanita, Is Struggling #872580
Asked June 11, 2024, 10:37 AM EDT
Juanita, the lime tree, was doing great. I water her once a week, but checking the soil each time. A little food every 3 months. I have had her over one year now. I have not had any issues. Until this last month. She started dropping leaves. She has 4 limes growing. I took off all her other flowers and growth because it felt like she was trying to do too much. It didn't seem healthy. But now whole branches have no leaves and I am really worried about her. I don't know what to do. I am wondering if maybe it's the pot. Maybe I need something bigger?
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Limes need a lot of sun. Juanita may have gotten sun in the winter, but now that it is higher in the sky, the awning likely shades her. If you can put her outside (do it gradually - plants need to get used to strong sun like we do), that woudl be the best thing. Otherwise, add a grow light.
Here is something about growing citrus indoors: https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/growing-citrus-indoors
Good luck! It seems to be a large tree, so it would be great to keep her happy.
Here is something about growing citrus indoors: https://extension.umn.edu/houseplants/growing-citrus-indoors
Good luck! It seems to be a large tree, so it would be great to keep her happy.
Hi Terri,
I do have a grow light that I have on from 8 am - 4 pm M -F.
It's full spectrum.
Should I get a second dun lamp maybe?
Thank you,
Katie
This is the grow light she has.
Hi Terri,I do have a grow light that I have on from 8 am - 4 pm M -F.It's full spectrum.Should I get a second dun lamp maybe?Thank you,Katie
I see the light. I would keep it on longer and every day, or add a second light. It is a good sign that it is fruiting. The straggly growth is indicative of not enough light.
The mottled leaves are caused by either a nutrition deficiency or overwatering. Make sure that the fertilizer you use has minor nutrients. A citrus fertilizer should have that, but there are other general houseplant fertilizers that have more than the standard n-p-k. The label should brag about these extra nutrients.
I see you have a water indicator in the pot, so I assume you have not been overwatering. Most plants, including citrus, hate to be sitting in soggy soil. You may want to repot with new potting mix just to make sure the plant has a hospitable home for the next year.
The mottled leaves are caused by either a nutrition deficiency or overwatering. Make sure that the fertilizer you use has minor nutrients. A citrus fertilizer should have that, but there are other general houseplant fertilizers that have more than the standard n-p-k. The label should brag about these extra nutrients.
I see you have a water indicator in the pot, so I assume you have not been overwatering. Most plants, including citrus, hate to be sitting in soggy soil. You may want to repot with new potting mix just to make sure the plant has a hospitable home for the next year.
