Citrus trifoliata, the thorny lemon tree
Citrus trifoliata
- Exposure
- Sun
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 6b (-20.6°C ≤ T° < -17.8°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Family
- Rutaceae
- Genus
- Citrus
- Species
- Spiny lemon tree Citrus trifoliata
Other names:Bilacus trifoliata, Poncirus trifoliata, Pseudaegle trifoliata
With its deciduous foliage and fruits too bitter to be appreciated, the thorny lemon tree (Citrus trifoliata) is a citrus fruit unlike any other! This hardy tree, originally from China, can be planted in the ground almost anywhere in our latitudes.
How to recognize Citrus trifoliata, the thorny lemon tree?
Citrus trifoliata is a bushy shrub. It grows to between four and eight meters in height.
After a few years, Citrus trifoliata develops a thick, twisted trunk with gray bark. Young trees, like older specimens, are highly branched. Their twigs bear prickly green thorns three to five centimetres long.
The thorny lemon tree is easily recognized by its leaves. While other citrus fruits such as caviar Lemon (Citrus australasica) have whole leaves, those of the Citrus trifoliata have three leaflets. The deciduous foliage changes color with the seasons. Soft green in spring, it turns bright green in summer and golden in autumn. In winter, the bare tree reveals its sinuous branches.
The white flowers have elongated petals and pink stamens. Their lemony scent is less pronounced than that of other citrus fruits.
The fruit, called poncire, is the size of a golf ball. Its orange-yellow rind is bitter, as is its flesh.
The thorny lemon tree is not toxic. However, its sharp thorns can pose a danger to humans and animals. This shrub is often planted as a hedge to keep undesirables at bay.
Our care tips
Thorny lemon trees are easy to care for. Hardy and drought-resistant, they need almost nothing once established.
Watering
Water your Spiny lemon tree when the soil has dried deeply. Use water at room temperature to avoid damaging the roots. If you can, use rainwater or non-calcareous water.
Never leave water standing in the saucer or planter, as this will rot the roots.
Misting
Your Citrus trifoliata hates wet foliage. Don't mist the plant.
Repotting
Every year in the spring, repot your Citrus trifoliata to give it more space.
When roots are sticking out of the pot or visible on the surface, it's time to repot!
To prepare your Citrus trifoliata for repotting, soak the root ball. Then gently loosen the root ball.
Choose a terracotta pot or a wooden planter. Both materials promote water evaporation and reduce the risks associated with excessive watering. Make sure the container has drainage holes to allow water to drain.
Place a layer of clay pellets or gravel at the bottom to aid drainage.
Fill the rest with a rich substrate, such as a special citrus potting mix or general-purpose potting mix. You can make your own mix using:
- one-third potting mix;
- one-third garden soil;
- pozzolan.
Place your shrub in the center. The top of the root ball should be two centimeters below the rim of the pot. Fill in with substrate and firm it down to remove air pockets. When planting, be sure not to bury the root collar.
Fertilization
To promote the growth of your Citrus trifoliata, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.
Thorny lemon trees are greedy plants. They need to be fertilized. Feed yours with a special liquid or granulated citrus fertilizer.
Harvest
Harvesting takes place when the fruit has taken on its final color and can be easily detached from the branch.
Prune
Remove dead branches at the base using clean, sharp pruning shears.
You can also remove any suckers growing on the trunk.
Planting
When the risk of frost has passed, it's time to plant.
Find them a place sheltered from the wind and isolated from other plants. Citrus plants have shallow roots and don't like to share their space.
Dig a hole 70 centimetres wide and 1 metre in diameter. While you're at it, soak the root ball.
Plant the plant in the middle, with the top of the rootball level with the ground. Take care not to bury the collar.
Thorny lemon trees plants thrive in light, well-drained, rich soil. When filling in, add potting soil or citrus soil to your garden soil. Tamp and water.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Exposure
- Sun
- Substrate
- Humus soil
- Planting methods
- Open groundIn potsIn tubs
- Categories
- TreeShrubFruit treeFlowery
- Tags
- Edible fruitFloweryHardy
- Origin
- East Asia
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 6b (-20.6°C ≤ T° < -17.8°C)
- Leaf colors
- Dark greenLight green
- Flower color
- White
- Fruit colors
- YellowOrange
Discover plants from the same family
Lemon tree
Citrus x limon
Clementine
Citrus x clementina
Mandarin
Citrus reticulata
Orange
Citrus sinensis
Find out more
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