Light: Full sun; at least 6–8 hours daily. Young trees benefit from temporary afternoon shade during extreme summer heat.
Water: Deep, regular irrigation; not drought tolerant. Established trees generally need watering every 7–14 days in summer and every 3–6 weeks in winter, adjusted for soil, weather, and rainfall. Young trees need more frequent watering. Wet the root zone 2–3 feet deep and allow the upper several inches to dry between irrigations.
Soil: Well-drained soil; sandy loam preferred. Tolerates Phoenix’s alkaline soils but may develop nutrient deficiencies. Keep the root flare above grade, avoid waterlogged locations, and mulch without covering the trunk.
Mature size: Typically 15–25 feet tall and 12–20 feet wide on standard rootstock; smaller on dwarfing rootstock or with selective pruning.
Bloom: Primarily late winter through spring, with occasional additional flowering. Main fruit harvest is winter through early spring in Phoenix.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast with adequate irrigation and citrus fertilizer.