Light: Full sun, ideally 6–8 hours daily. Young trees benefit from temporary afternoon shade during extreme Phoenix summer heat.
Water: Regular deep irrigation; not drought tolerant. Wet the root zone 2–3 feet deep on established trees, then allow the upper several inches of soil to dry. Water more frequently in summer and less in winter; keep water away from the trunk.
Soil: Well-drained soil; sandy loam preferred. Tolerates Phoenix’s alkaline soils but may develop nutrient deficiencies. Avoid poorly drained sites and keep the root flare above finished soil level.
Mature size: Typically 15–25 feet tall and wide on standard rootstock; smaller on dwarfing rootstock or with careful pruning.
Bloom: Usually late winter through spring, primarily February–April in Phoenix. Fruit generally ripens from late fall into spring, depending on cultivar.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.
Growth rate: Moderate; faster with adequate irrigation and citrus fertilizer applied according to local recommendations.