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How to treat sick dwarf citrus tree?

I moved in about 9 months ago and the previous owners had left two of these potted citrus trees. Admittedly I have not spent a lot of time looking after them until recently when a friend pointed out that these are lime leaves.
I’ve pruned back a lot of the super sick leaves, but it’s still not happy. I’ve tried citrus fertiliser, diluted Seasol, mulched the soil a little bit.
I am super new to gardening (and being patient with growing things!) but I still feel like I am missing something. Or is it just

too far gone?

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Comments

EricL

Hello @blossom_

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your citrus tree.

You are on the right track, and it’s very clear you’ve already made some positive changes for the plant. From the photo and your description, there are likely a couple of things happening at once rather than a single problem, which is very common with potted citrus.

The irregular holes and chewed edges on the leaves are very consistent with caterpillar damage, particularly citrus swallowtail caterpillars, which love lime and lemon trees. They can be surprisingly hard to spot because they blend in well with the stems and often hide during the day. It’s worth checking the plant closely, especially on the undersides of leaves and along stems, and removing any caterpillars you find by hand. If the damage continues, a light application of neem oil can help without harming beneficial insects.

The yellow mottling and spotting on the leaves does suggest a nutrient imbalance rather than disease. Potted citruses are especially prone to deficiencies because nutrients wash out of pots much faster than garden soil. Magnesium, nitrogen, and iron deficiencies are common, and they often show up as yellowing between leaf veins or patchy yellow leaves while the veins stay greener. Citrus fertiliser is a good choice, but it usually needs to be applied regularly during the warmer months rather than as a one-off. Seasol is helpful as a soil conditioner and stress tonic, but it doesn’t replace fertiliser, so think of it as a support rather than the main feed.

Another important factor is pot size and drainage. After nine months, it’s very possible the tree is becoming root-bound or struggling with inconsistent moisture. Citrus like deep watering followed by slight drying out, not constantly damp soil. Make sure the pot drains freely and consider repotting into a slightly larger container with fresh, high-quality potting mix designed for citrus or fruit trees. This alone can make a big difference to overall health and leaf colour.

Finally, patience really is part of the process with citrus. Once stressed, they can take months to show improvement even after conditions are corrected. If new growth starts coming through greener and less damaged, that’s a strong sign you’re on the right path. With regular feeding, pest checks, good drainage, and time, this lime tree has every chance of bouncing back and rewarding you for your efforts.

Here is a handy guide: Growing Citrus Plants

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

blossom_

Hi Eric,

Thanks for your advice! I wanted to share that I took all of your suggestions on board and in a span of 3 weeks I have a happy, healthy lime tree with heaps of new growth! Now we just hope to see it fruit 🍋‍🟩

Thanks again!

JacobZ

Looks great @blossom_!

I'm so glad to see @EricL's advice proved helpful and that your dwarf citrus is doing well.

Jacob

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