Lemon, Lime & Citron Varieties in the UK
The UK has a growing interest in citrus cultivation, especially in container gardening and conservatories. Here are the key varieties of lemons, limes, and citrons suitable for UK conditions, with APA-style citations for each source.
1. Lemon Varieties
Meyer Lemon (Citrus × meyeri)
- Overview: Famous for being hardy to -6 °C and suited to UK growing, either in pots or conservatories.
- Cultivation Advice: Recommended as the best beginner lemon variety by RHS and garden guides.
‘Four Seasons’ (Garey’s Eureka) Lemon
- Continuous flowering and fruiting throughout the year, and a popular gift plant in the UK.
Lisbon & Others
- Lisbon Lemon and similar varieties can be grown in conservatories but are less cold-tolerant than Meyer.
- Calamondin Orange, Kumquat, and Yuzu are also cultivated and highlight the diversity of citrus grown in protected UK settings.
2. Lime Varieties
Kaffir (Makrut) Lime (Citrus hystrix)
- Uses: Grown primarily for its aromatic leaves, which are essential in Southeast Asian cooking.
- Cultivation: Thrives in containers or greenhouses.
Other Limes
- Key Lime and Rangpur Lime (Citrus × limonia) can be grown in UK conservatories; Rangpur Lime adds ornamental appeal.
- Calamasi (Calamansi) is occasionally grown as a novelty and has even earned the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
3. Citron Varieties
Buddha’s Hand (Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis)
- Grown experimentally, especially in warm microclimates like the Isle of Wight’s Ventnor Botanic Garden. It is a novelty prized for ornamental and aromatic uses.
Other Citrons
- While rare, specialist UK nurseries offer Etrog and Corsican citron for heritage or ornamental planting.
Summary Table
| Category | Common UK Varieties |
|---|---|
| Lemons | Meyer, ‘Four Seasons’ (Eureka), Lisbon, Calamondin, Kumquat, Yuzu |
| Limes | Kaffir, Key Lime, Rangpur Lime, Calamansi |
| Citrons | Buddha’s Hand, Etrog, Corsican Citron |
Cultivation & Trends
- Growing Conditions: Most citrus in the UK are grown in containers or greenhouses, with Meyer lemons and calamondins being the most winter-hardy (to around 0 °C indoors).
- Microclimate Opportunities: Warming UK temperatures enable experimental outdoor citrus cultivation, notably on the Isle of Wight where 30 varieties—including Buddha’s Hand—are thriving in protected microclimates.
- Culinary Expansion: British chefs and consumers are embracing unique citrus varieties like yuzu, cedro, and makrut lime, reflecting a broader interest in citrus biodiversity.
References
The Guardian. (2025, April 20). From kumquats to lime caviar: UK foodies embrace a whole new world of citrus.
Gardener’s World Magazine. (2020, June 16). How to grow orange and lemon trees in the UK. BBC.
RHS Gardening. (n.d.). How to grow citrus fruit.
The Citrus Centre. (n.d.). Citrus Centre—specialist nursery.
Tree2MyDoor. (n.d.). Which Citrus Trees are Good for UK Growing?
Gardener & Allotment. (2025, May). Growing Citrus Trees in the UK: Tips and Tricks.
Plants4Presents. (n.d.). Lemon4Seasons or ‘Eureka’ Lemon.
Pomona Fruits. (n.d.). Four Seasons Lemon Tree (Lunario Lemon).
Suttons. (n.d.). Citrus Trees | Orange, Lime & Lemon Trees for Sale.
Cross Common Nursery. (n.d.). Citrus and Tropical Fruits.
Simply Recipes. (2020, January 15). A Guide to Citrus Fruits.
The Times. (2025, April 28). Citruses thrive on Isle of Wight and could grow across warming.
