We do not recommend re-planting your tree until at least two weeks after you receive it. This allows the tree time to readjust to its new environment after the stress of shipping and delivery.

There is no need to re-plant your tree at all until about six to nine months after you receive it, at which point we recommend re-planting it into a two-gallon pot. This is not completely necessary, as your tree can live its entire life in the pot you received it in. However, re-planting it into a bigger pot will help it produce more fruit.

If at any point you see roots growing out of the bottom of your pot, that is the biggest indicator that your tree could use a bigger pot. With that being said, citrus trees actually like being root-bound. When they are root-bound, it signals to them that they should start to produce fruit. If your tree is about as big as you would like it to get, you can leave it in its pot and it will be happy. Otherwise, continue to plant it into larger pots until it gets to the size that you would like it to be.

The soil that we planted your tree in is a perfect example of the type of soil that a citrus tree needs. If you need to change the soil or re-plant your tree, you will need to use freely-draining, slightly acidic soil.

The best soil for the tree is Frank's Soilless Mix, which is currently available for purchase! Frank's mix contains the following:

-3 parts coconut chips (no larger than ¼” pieces)

-1 part medium perlite

-1 part soil amendment, such as peat moss, coconut coir, soil, compost, etc.

We also carry a premium version of Frank's Soilless Mix that includes the addition of biochar. This helps balance the pH of your soil and retain nutrients.

If you want to create your own mix, the 2-1-1 ratio can be altered depending on your liking. For example, in hot summers, you may want to use a 3-1-2 so that you do not need to water daily. If you are looking for a less costly mix, you can also create a 1:1 mix of peat moss/coconut coir and perlite.

These materials can be purchased at your local garden store.

However, purchasing all of these materials together can be costly. That's why we recommend saving your time and money by purchasing a 2-gallon bag of Frank's Soilless Mix!

If you have questions before you purchase a tree, we recommend visiting our "Am I Ready for a Citrus Tree?" page. Also remember that every tree comes with a free citrus care guide so that you can feel prepared to care for your tree.

If you still have questions about your tree that are not answered on this page or in your citrus tree care guide, reach out to us and we will be happy to help you.

Only water your tree when the soil is dry.

The best way to know if the soil is dry is to feel the weight of the tree. When you water it, ensure that you saturate the soil. The water should run out of the pot freely. Discard any excess water, as citrus trees do not grow well with wet feet.

Pick up the tree and feel how heavy it is. This will give you a good way to gauge when the soil is dry, as it will be significantly lighter.

You could also consider purchasing a moisture meter for your tree. If you use a moisture meter, you should water your tree when the moisture level is at the lowest point possible before allowing the tree to wilt.

Yes! Any well-balanced fertilizer with a 2-1-1 ratio (or another relatively even ratio) of NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) and micronutrients will be great for your tree and help it to produce fruit.

If you are not sure which fertilizer will work, or are looking for a specific product recommendation, we also carry the fertilizer that we use on our trees - the best fertilizer for citrus trees that we have found! Click here to check out our 13-6-6 fertilizer!

Ensure that you follow the fertilizer's instructions for the best outcome.

The amount of time needed for the fruit to ripen will depend on the variety of tree.

In general, kumquats typically take 5-7 months to ripen, lemons typically take 9-12 months to ripen, and oranges typically take 11-12 months to ripen. You will know the fruit is ripe when it turns from rock-hard to a softball-like consistency.

We have provided rough estimates for fruiting on each product page. Please refer to these estimates, but know that these are not guaranteed. The time a tree takes to fruit is dependent on many variables, such as soil, size of the pot, and other environmental factors.

This could be caused by a few different things, including insufficient sunlight, improper watering, nutrient deficiency, or low temperatures.

Ensure that you are giving the tree enough sunlight (4-8 hours minimum, depending on variety), watering appropriately (when the soil is dry), and using fertilizer as recommended.

You are most likely to experience these issues during the cold season, especially if the tree is kept next to a drafty window. If the bottom of the pot is cold or the roots of the tree are cold, you should consider moving the tree to a warmer location or using a germination/heat mat under the pot (get the same heat mat that we use here!). For more details about your tree's care needs, check here.

If you have addressed these necessities and your tree is still losing leaves or yellowing, please reach out to us and we would be happy to work with you to find a solution.

Generally, pruning your potted citrus tree is unnecessary. However, there may be certain instances in which you will need to prune some branches.

You can prune any dead or unsightly branches, and we highly recommend immediately pruning any growth that occurs below the graft union. If these growths are not pruned, they may overgrow your citrus tree.

If you have the desire to shape your tree, prune no more than one-third of the tree at a time. Allow several months between pruning to give the tree time to recover.

During the summer time, you can put your tree outside and it will soak up all of the sun it can get! However, if you keep your tree indoors at any point in the year, you will need to make sure that it is getting enough sunlight in order to encourage the most growth and fruit production.

Generally (though there are a few exceptions), here are the light requirements by variety:

Lemon: 4-6 hours

Lime: 4-6 hours

Kumquat: 3-4 hours

Orange: 4-6 hours

Grapefruit: 8-10 hours

If your tree is not getting enough natural sunlight while indoors (or if it is not getting any natural light), it is a good idea to supplement with grow lights.

We carry the best grow light for your citrus tree (click here to check it out), but you can also purchase any 1000W grow light.

If your tree is getting full sun naturally in your home, only use the light as a supplement (as needed) to provide a maximum of 12-16 hours total of light per day for your tree.

If your tree does not get any natural sun, it is recommended to use the light to provide 12-16 hours of light per day.

An outlet timer from a local hardware store is suggested to ensure your light automatically turns on and off at the right times!

If you have questions or want to check what your specific tree requires for sunlight, visit the product page or contact us and we will be able to let you know!

We have a 5-day return policy, which means you have 5 days after receiving your item to request a return.

To be eligible for a return, your tree must be in the same condition that you received it and in its original pot. You’ll also need the receipt or proof of purchase.

To start a return, you can contact us at help@franksfruittrees.com. Include a copy of your receipt or proof of purchase.

If your return is accepted, we’ll send you a return shipping label, as well as instructions on how and where to send your package. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted. Please note, all return shipping charges will be deducted from your refund.

Unfortunately we are not able to offer local pickup for returned trees.

Please inspect your order upon receipt and contact us within 5 days of receipt if the tree is damaged or if you receive the wrong item, so that we can evaluate the issue and make it right. Send a detailed email to help@franksfruittrees.com and include photos of the damage or issue along with your receipt or proof of purchase. We are not able to process refunds or replacements without photos and proof of purchase.

We do not offer exchanges. The fastest way to ensure you get the tree you want is to return the item you have, and once you receive a refund, make a separate purchase for the new item.

We will notify you once we’ve received and inspected your return, and let you know if the refund was approved or not. If approved, you’ll be automatically refunded on your original payment method within 10 business days. Please remember it can take some time for your bank or credit card company to process and post the refund.

If more than 15 business days have passed since we’ve approved your return, please contact us at help@franksfruittrees.com.

Orders in processing status can be canceled by reaching out to us at help@franksfruittrees.com within four hours of placing your order. If we do not receive your request within four hours, we may not be able to cancel your order. We will respond to you as quickly as possible to let you know if the order can be canceled. Once the order has shipped, it can no longer be canceled. You may reach out to us within 5 days of receipt to request a refund as noted above.