Calamondin Orange Plant Care

Calamondin Orange (Citrus microcarpa) belongs to the Rutaceae family within the Citrus genus. Calamondin Orange is native to the Philippines, parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei, as well as Taiwan, and parts of southern China. Calamondin Orange is also known as Calamondin, Philippine Lime.

Calamondin Orange displays a small to medium-sized evergreen tree growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Calamondin Orange produces fragrant white flowers with waxy petals.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Calamondin Orange every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Calamondin Orange thrives in full sun.

Citrus microcarpa tolerates temperatures of 55–85°F. Calamondin Orange prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Calamondin Orange to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Calamondin Orange every 4 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Calamondin Orange is suited to USDA Zone 8b – 12b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Calamondin Orange can spread to about 10 ft (3 m) and reach about 15 ft (5 m) tall. Space plants about 10 ft (3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Calamondin Orange while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Calamondin Orange is hardy down to USDA zone 8b, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Calamondin Orange can be propagated through seeds, grafting, air-layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to orange tree plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Calamondin Orange is susceptible to citrus leafminer, citrus whitefly, aphids, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Calamondin Orange grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8b. Calamondin Orange is native to the Philippines, parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei, as well as Taiwan, and parts of southern China.