If you've been growing citrus in Florida for any length of time, you know the heartbreak. You plant a beautiful tree, nurture it for years, watch it grow and produce—and then citrus greening shows up and takes it all away.
I've been there. And after losing trees, fighting an uphill battle, and watching the citrus industry struggle with the same issues, I made a change that's transformed how I grow citrus in Florida: I switched from in-ground planting to containers.
In this video, I'm breaking down why I made the switch, how screened growing works, and what you need to know about citrus greening if you want to keep growing citrus successfully in Florida.
The Citrus Greening Reality in Florida
Let's start with the hard truth: citrus greening (HLB - Huanglongbing) is devastating Florida's citrus trees. This bacterial disease, spread by the Asian citrus psyllid, has no cure. Once a tree is infected, it's a slow decline—yellowing leaves, misshapen fruit, bitter taste, and eventually, death.
Commercial growers are struggling. Backyard gardeners are losing trees left and right. And if you plant citrus in the ground in Florida today, you're rolling the dice on how long it will last.
That's not to say you can't grow in-ground citrus—plenty of people still do. But you need to go in with your eyes open and a plan for protection.
Why I Switched to Container Growing
After losing trees and watching the psyllid population explode in my area, I decided containers made more sense for my situation. Here's why:
1. Mobility and Control
With containers, I can move my trees. If there's a psyllid outbreak in the area, I can relocate them to a screened area or even bring them closer to the house where I can monitor them more closely. You can't do that with a tree planted in the ground.
2. Easier to Screen
Screening is one of the most effective ways to protect citrus from psyllids. Building a screened enclosure for a few container trees is far more manageable (and affordable) than screening an entire in-ground grove. I can keep my potted citrus in a screened porch, under netting, or in a small screened structure.
3. Better Pest Management
When your trees are in containers and in a controlled space, it's easier to inspect them regularly, spot psyllids early, and treat them before they spread disease. You're not dealing with trees scattered across your yard—they're right there, accessible, and manageable.
4. Soil and Nutrient Control
Florida soil can be tricky—sandy, alkaline, low in organic matter. With containers, I control exactly what my trees are growing in. I can use a well-draining potting mix, adjust pH as needed, and fertilize on a precise schedule without worrying about runoff or competing roots.
5. Less Heartbreak
Here's the emotional piece: losing a mature in-ground tree that you've invested years in is devastating. With containers, if a tree does get infected, it's easier to remove and replace without tearing up your landscape. It's not ideal, but it's less of a gut punch.
What About Screened Growing?
Screened growing—whether in a full enclosure, under insect netting, or in a screened porch—is one of the best defenses against citrus greening. The psyllid can't reach your trees if it can't get through the screen.
Here's what works:
- Screened porches or patios – If you already have one, use it! Container citrus does great in these spaces as long as they get enough light.
- DIY screened structures – You can build a simple PVC frame covered with insect screening (look for fine mesh that blocks psyllids).
- Individual tree netting – For smaller setups, you can cover individual container trees with fine mesh bags or netting.
- Greenhouse-style enclosures – More investment, but if you're serious about citrus, a screened greenhouse gives you climate control and pest protection.
The key is fine enough mesh to keep out the tiny psyllids (they're only about 3-4mm long). Standard window screen works, but specialized insect netting is even better.
Tips for Growing Citrus in Containers
If you're thinking about making the switch, here's what you need to know:
Choose the Right Varieties
Some citrus varieties do better in containers than others. Dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties are ideal. Look for:
- Meyer lemon
- Key lime (Mexican lime)
- Calamondin
- Kumquat
- Dwarf tangerine varieties
- Improved Meyer lemon
Use the Right Pot Size
Start with at least a 15-20 gallon container for young trees, and plan to move up to 25-30 gallons as they mature. Make sure pots have drainage holes—citrus hates wet feet.
Soil Mix Matters
Use a well-draining potting mix. I like a blend of quality potting soil, perlite, and compost. Avoid heavy garden soil—it compacts in containers and drowns roots.
Fertilize Regularly
Container trees need more frequent feeding than in-ground trees because nutrients wash out with watering. Use a citrus-specific fertilizer and follow the label instructions. I fertilize every 6-8 weeks during the growing season.
Water Consistently
Containers dry out faster than the ground, especially in Florida's heat. Check soil moisture regularly and water when the top 2-3 inches are dry. Mulch the top of the pot to help retain moisture.
Provide Enough Light
Citrus needs at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. If you're growing in a screened area, make sure it's positioned to get maximum light exposure.
Can You Still Grow In-Ground Citrus?
Absolutely—but you need a strategy. If you're committed to in-ground citrus:
- Plant in areas where you can screen or net the trees
- Monitor religiously for psyllids and treat immediately
- Use systemic treatments if you're comfortable with that approach
- Plant multiple trees so losing one isn't catastrophic
- Choose disease-resistant rootstock when available
- Accept that you may need to replant eventually
Some growers are having success with aggressive psyllid management programs. It's possible—it just takes vigilance and commitment.
The Bottom Line
Citrus greening changed the game for Florida citrus growers, backyard and commercial alike. For me, switching to containers and screened growing has been the answer. I still get to enjoy fresh citrus, I have more control over my trees' health, and I'm not setting myself up for the heartbreak of losing a beloved tree to an incurable disease.
Is it more work? In some ways, yes. But it's also more manageable, more flexible, and—most importantly—it works.
If you're struggling with citrus greening or thinking about planting citrus in Florida, I hope this gives you some options to consider. We can still grow citrus here—we just have to be smarter about how we do it.
Are you growing citrus in Florida? In-ground, containers, or screened? I'd love to hear what's working (or not working) for you. Drop a comment below and let's talk citrus!
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