6 Best Potting Soil For Citrus Trees of 2024

By Harry RamosLast update: 2024-10-02

Providing citrus trees with the right growing environment can be a bit tricky. One important factor to consider is choosing the appropriate potting soil for your citrus tree. In this post, we'll give you all the information needed to determine the best potting soil for citrus trees more easily. Let's dig in!

Here are the best potting soil for citrus trees you can buy in 2024:

  • Best For Optimum Fertilizer Uptake: FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil Mix
  • Best For Outdoor Citrus Trees: Miracle-Gro 72078507
  • Best For Indoor Citrus Trees: GARDENERA CITRUS-TREE-4QT
  • Best For Root Growth: WONDER SOIL Organic Potting Soil
  • Best For Meyer Lemon Tree: Espoma CA4
  • Best For Optimum Aeration & Drainage: Fat Plants San Diego GAL
6 Best Potting Soil For Citrus Trees
Best For Optimum Fertilizer Uptake
FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil Mix
    Best For Outdoor Citrus Trees
    Miracle-Gro 72078507
      Best For Indoor Citrus Trees
      GARDENERA CITRUS-TREE-4QT
        Best For Root Growth
        WONDER SOIL Organic Potting Soil
          Best For Meyer Lemon Tree
          Espoma CA4
            Best For Optimum Aeration & Drainage
            Fat Plants San Diego GAL

              Best For Optimum Fertilizer Uptake: FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil Mix

              FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil Mix
              FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil Mix
              Pros
              • Help optimize fertilizer uptake – the pH between 6.3 to 6.8
              • Nutritious and safe for plants - aged forest products, composted forest humus, earthworm castings, and sphagnum peat moss
              • Light texture
              Cons
              • It’s expensive
              • Bad odors

              The FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil Mix stands out due to its unique blend of ingredients, such as aged forest products, composted forest humus, earthworm castings, and sphagnum peat moss.

              All are organic and intentionally picked for the purpose of providing the perfect environment for young seedlings.

              Besides, the soil has been pH adjusted at 6.3 to 6.8 to allow for optimum fertilizer uptake, providing your citrus trees with the nutrients they need to stay healthy and thrive.

              The light texture, excellent aeration, and superior drainage help create the best soil conditions for healthy plant growth.

              For those reasons, the FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil Mix is a great choice for optimum fertilizer uptake.

              FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil Mix Specifications

              Volume

              12 Quarts

              Primary Ingredient(s)

              Earthworm castings

              Bat guard

              Fertilizer Analysis

              .3-.45-.05

              Highlight Features

              the pH between 6.3 to 6.8

              aged forest products, composted forest humus, earthworm castings, and sphagnum peat moss

              Light texture

              Verdict

              By creating the perfect environment for optimum fertilizer uptake, the FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil Mix can help support the vigorous growth of your citrus trees

              Best For Outdoor Citrus Trees: Miracle-Gro 72078507

              Miracle-Gro 72078507
              Miracle-Gro 72078507
              Pros
              • Prevent common nutritional deficiencies - iron and Miracle-Gro® plant food
              • Prevent soil compaction - forest products, sand, and perlite
              • Provide slow-release nutrients for 6 months - added fertilizer feeds
              Cons
              • It has bad odors

              While the Miracle-Gro 72078507 is formulated for succulents, it can also be used for outdoor citrus trees. It can because it is fortified with iron and Miracle-Gro® plant food to help prevent leaf yellowing and other common nutritional deficiencies.

              The addition of forest products, sand, and perlite helps to prevent soil compaction and improve drainage to ensure that your citrus tree is able to receive the proper amount of water and nutrients.

              And also, it contains added fertilizer feeds which will provide essential nutrients for up to 6 months, giving your citrus tree an extra boost of nutrition.

              Miracle-Gro 72078507 Specifications

              Volume

              8 Quarts

              Primary Ingredient(s)

              Fertilizer, perlite, sand, sphagnum peat moss, processed forest products, and a wetting agent.

              Fertilizer Analysis

              0.11-0.05-0.08

              Highlight Features

              iron and Miracle-Gro® plant food

              forest products, sand, and perlite

              added fertilizer feeds

              Verdict

              The Miracle-Gro 72078507 is an ideal choice for outdoor citrus trees as it provides a steady supply of nutrients for optimal growth and health.

              Best For Indoor Citrus Trees: GARDENERA CITRUS-TREE-4QT

              GARDENERA CITRUS-TREE-4QT
              GARDENERA CITRUS-TREE-4QT
              Pros
              • Not take up your living space – compact size
              • Help retain moisture - a combination of compost, coconut coir or peat moss and vermiculite or perlite
              • The pH between 5.5 and 6.5
              Cons
              • It’s not budget-friendly
              • The fertilizer has slight odors

              The GARDENERA CITRUS-TREE-4QT is a high-quality hand-crafted potting mix specifically designed to promote healthy root growth and provide the perfect conditions for planted, repotted, and growing citrus plants.

              The mixture includes peat moss, perlite, lime, and worm castings, which are all ingredients that have been proven to be beneficial for citrus plants.

              It also contains a combination of compost, coconut coir or peat moss and vermiculite or perlite, which helps retain moisture while also providing adequate drainage.

              In addition, this soil mix has a pH between 5.5 and 6.5, which is ideal for lemon trees.

              GARDENERA CITRUS-TREE-4QT Specifications

              Volume

              4 Quarts

              Primary Ingredient(s)

              Lime, Worm Castings, Perlite, and Canadian Peat Moss

              Highlight Features

              compact size

              a combination of compost, coconut coir or peat moss and vermiculite or perlite

              The pH between 5.5 and 6.5

              Verdict

              The GARDENERA CITRUS-TREE-4QT is an ideal choice for indoor citrus trees.

              Best For Root Growth: WONDER SOIL Organic Potting Soil

              WONDER SOIL Organic Potting Soil
              WONDER SOIL Organic Potting Soil
              Pros
              • Provide the essential elements for root growth - worm castings, mycorrhizae, kelp, perlite, etc.
              • Balance between soil’s water retention and drainage – coco coir
              Cons
              • Pricey

              The main ingredient of the WONDER SOIL Organic Potting Soil is coco coir, the biggest benefit of which is to provide a versatile combination of both: allowing the soil to hold water but also providing proper drainage for the roots.

              But the best part is, this potting soil can provide the essential elements for healthy root growth. There are amendments such as worm castings, mycorrhizae, kelp, perlite, and more increase the nutrients present in the soil.

              Besides, the soil has good aeration and fast germination, allowing the citrus tree roots to develop quickly and easily.

              WONDER SOIL Organic Potting Soil Specifications

              Volume

              12 Quarts

              Primary Ingredient(s)

              Coco Coir

              Highlight Features

              worm castings, mycorrhizae, kelp, perlite, etc.

              coco coir

              Verdict

              Thanks to its unique combination of water retention and natural drainage, the WONDER SOIL Organic Potting Soil is ideal for the root growth of citrus trees.

              Best For Meyer Lemon Tree: Espoma CA4

              Espoma CA4
              Espoma CA4
              Pros
              • Support root growth - Myco-tone
              • Improve the soil structure, drainage, and water retention - a rich blend of Sphagnum peat moss, humus, and perlite
              • Safe & eco-friendly - all-natural ingredients
              Cons
              • No complaint

              The Espoma CA4 is specifically formulated to provide optimum aeration and drainage, promoting root growth and reducing drought stress.

              This soil mix is a rich blend of Sphagnum peat moss, humus, and perlite, and it is enhanced with Myco-tone, which is a special type of soil microbe that supports root growth.

              This combination of elements helps to improve the soil structure, drainage, and water retention, while still providing the necessary nutrients for healthy plant growth.

              As an added bonus, the soil mix is all-natural, and free from any synthetic chemicals or fertilizers, making it a safe choice for environmentally conscious gardeners.

              Espoma CA4 Specifications

              Volume

              4 Quarts

              Primary Ingredient(s)

              Peat Moss, dolomitic limestone, earthworm castings, perlite, sand, and peat humus

              Highlight Features

              Myco-tone

              a rich blend of Sphagnum peat moss, humus, and perlite

              Verdict

              By providing the ideal environment for healthy and robust root development, while also helping to reduce water stress in periods of drought, the Espoma CA4 is everything that Meyer Lemon Trees need.

              Best For Optimum Aeration & Drainage: Fat Plants San Diego GAL

              Fat Plants San Diego GAL
              Fat Plants San Diego GAL
              Pros
              • Provide optimum aeration and drainage – sand, gravel, and volcanic pumice
              • Keep moisture levels stable - peat moss
              • Rich in nutrients - bone meal and worm castings
              Cons
              • Expensive

              What makes this potting mix so special is it contains a homemade soil recipe that has been used for years to provide optimal growing conditions for citrus trees, as well as cacti and succulents.

              The soil recipe contains sand, which aids in aeration, as well as other ingredients (such as gravel and volcanic pumice) that create a porous texture that allows for fast drainage and prevents waterlogging.

              It also can keep moisture levels stable, which is especially beneficial for keeping citrus plants in good health.

              Fat Plants San Diego GAL Specifications

              Volume

              1 gallon

              Primary Ingredient(s)

              Peat moss, worm castings, gravel, bone meal/blood meal, volcanic pumice, and sand

              Fertilizer Analysis

              18-6-12

              Highlight Features

              sand, gravel, and volcanic pumice

              peat moss

              bone meal and worm castings

              Verdict

              With the Fat Plants San Diego GAL, you’ll be able to ensure that your citrus trees have the best possible growing environment, with plenty of oxygen and the right amount of moisture.

              How To Choose The Best Potting Soil For Citrus Trees?

              Soil Composition

              The composition of the soil is one of the most significant factors to consider when selecting the best potting soil for your citrus tree.

              The best soil mixes will contain a combination of organic matter such as compost, coconut coir, or peat moss, and inorganic materials such as vermiculite or perlite.

              This ensures proper aeration of the soil and helps promote proper water and nutrient uptake by the tree’s roots.

              Soil Drainage

              The soil must be well-draining, but not overly dry, as this could lead to root rot or other issues.

              If the soil is too heavy, you can improve it by mixing in quality compost and gypsum.

              If the soil is too acidic, add lime to achieve the preferred pH.

              Soil's pH Levels

              For optimal growth and fruit production, the soil pH should be between 6-7.5. You can test the pH of the soil using a soil tester or pH meter.

              Which Brands Make The Best Potting Soil For Citrus Trees?

              FoxFarm

              FoxFarm is well-known for its high-quality, lightweight, and well-aerated organic potting soil products. They also contain natural ingredients that promote growth and are pH balanced for optimal soil health. With this soil, you can feel confident that you are providing the best possible environment for your citrus trees.

              Miracle-Gro

              Miracle-Gro brand is a great choice for potting soil because it offers superior quality and nutrition.

              All their soil products are easy to use and come with clear instructions on how to mix them properly.

              On top of that, they are reasonably priced, making it an affordable option for gardeners on a budget.

              FAQs

              Can I use regular potting soil for citrus trees?

              Regular potting soil can be used for citrus trees. But make sure it has the right combination of ingredients (such as compost, coconut coir, peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite), is light enough to drain water well, and has pH from 6.0-7.0.

              Is Miracle Grow potting soil good for citrus trees?

              The Miracle-Gro 72078507 is an excellent mixture for growing citrus, as well as cactus, palm, and other succulents.

              For best results, it should be used with a potting mix made up of compost, coconut coir or peat moss, and vermiculite or perlite, with a soil pH of 6.0–7.0.

              What kind of potting soil does a lemon tree need?

              A lemon tree needs a rich, well-drained loam potting soil to thrive. However, it is adaptable to almost any soil type except for heavy clay.

              Can I put coffee grounds in my potted lemon tree?

              Yes, you can put coffee grounds in your potted lemon tree. Coffee grounds are beneficial to the soil of your lemon tree as they help to keep the pH of the soil balanced between 5.5 and 5.6, which is optimal for a healthy lemon tree.

              How much soil does a lemon tree need?

              The amount of soil should be enough to fill a hole that’s as deep as the tree’s height and 1.5 times wider than the root ball.

              Conclusion

              Now that you know how to choose the best potting soil for citrus trees.

              When it comes to growing a healthier and bountiful crop of oranges or lemons, having soil specifically designed for this type of tree pays off in the end. With quality soil and proper drainage, you will give your citrus tree everything it needs to flourish.

              Get planting today, the rewards will be sweet!


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