Take the Stress out of Fertilizing Citrus Trees – This Is the Easiest Way to Feed Them, and It's the Secret to Lush Foliage and Abundant Fruit

Nothing heralds the arrival of spring quite like a citrus tree in bloom, but fertilizing these glorious plants can feel like a challenge.

Citrus trees need to be fed regularly at this time of year, and even the most experienced gardeners struggle with achieving the perfect balance. Under-fertilizing your citrus trees can stunt their growth and result in poor-quality fruit, but over-feeding them will ruin the soil and damage the roots.

The solution? Pre-made citrus fertilizer spikes – and options like the Miracle-Gro fruit and citrus plant food spikes are ideal. You can pick up a set of 12 for just $30 from Amazon, and you'll never need to stress about growing and caring for your citrus trees, even in the height of spring.

What Are Fertilizer Spikes?

Knowing when to fertilize your citrus trees can be tricky, but they are, in fact, some of the most important fruit trees to fertilize in April. As spring gets underway, these trees require a boost of nutrients to help them develop healthy foliage, not to mention plenty of flowers (and fruit) in the weeks ahead.

Many gardeners will rely on a citrus-specific food (like this Espoma Citrus-Tone, which you can find at Garden Goods Direct). It's best to feed established plants around every two weeks during their active growth period, which begins in early spring and winds down in the fall.

(If you happen to be on the market for a live citrus tree, you can pick up a handsome Meyer lemon tree or a key lime tree, both from Fast Growing Trees.)

Creating a regular fertilizing schedule is the best way to ensure that your plants are satisfied but not overfed. Naturally, however, it can be tricky to stick to such a strict routine, and this is where citrus fertilizer spikes come in. They contain a pre-measured mix of fertilizer, and they only need to be used twice a year.

'The advantage of fertilizer spikes is that they are specially measured, and you can be confident that they contain the right amount to benefit your tree,' explains Drew Swainston, Content Editor at Homes & Gardens.

'This takes away some of the stress that can come with fertilizing fruit and citrus trees, and instead, you can look forward to healthy growth, fragrant flowers, and an abundance of fruits.'

To install the spikes, 'simply bang them into the ground around the drip line twice a year, and your trees will be happy,' says Drew. (You can use a hammer or a rubber mallet, like this one from Amazon.)

Drew Swainston

Drew has worked as a writer since 2008 and was also a professional gardener for many years. As a trained horticulturist, he worked in prestigious historic gardens, including Hanbury Hall and the world-famous Hidcote Manor Garden. He also spent time as a specialist kitchen gardener at Soho Farmhouse and Netherby Hall, where he grew vegetables, fruit, herbs, and cut flowers for restaurants. Drew has written for numerous print and online publications and is an allotment holder and garden blogger. He was shortlisted for the Digital Gardening Writer of the Year at the 2025 Garden Media Guild Awards.

Why Use Fertilizer Spikes For Citrus Trees?

Whether you're new to growing citrus plants or you're already accustomed to using liquid fertilizer, you might not have tried out plant food spikes before – but they really are a brilliant, low-effort approach to citrus tree care.

The biggest benefit of spikes like the Miracle-Gro fruit and citrus plant food spikes comes down to convenience. Instead of manually fertilizing your trees every few weeks, you can simply hammer these into the ground in the springtime and then again in the fall. The spikes will deliver the perfect amount of fertilizer into the soil, without you needing to make any adjustments.

This is particularly useful since citrus trees can begin to suffer if they are under-fed – but they will also decline if you fertilize them too often.

'Gardeners may be concerned about over-fertilizing citrus trees, and there is a risk of yellowing leaves, stunted growth, or poor flowering or fruiting if feeding goes awry,' confirms Drew. 'You should never stray from the recommended amounts.'

If you're growing your citrus trees in pots, however, it's also crucial not to skimp on the fertilizer, either.

'You don’t want to underfeed, especially when the plants are in containers,' warns Drew. 'They will need all the nutrients they can get throughout the season.'

Why Shoppers Love the Miracle-Gro Plant Food Spikes

You'll find plenty of glowing reviews for the Miracle-Gro fruit and citrus plant food spikes on Amazon, with shoppers citing both convenience and effectiveness.

'We have been living on our property for almost twenty years and have 21 fruit trees,' says one shopper. 'After having tried a smorgasbord of different fertilizers, we discovered that these fertilizer spikes work great, if not better. Plus, you don't have to deal with heavy bags of different fertilizer types and eliminate the need for extra storage space.'

What to Shop

Looking for more citrus tree advice? We asked experts how to water citrus trees and when to prune citrus trees, too.

And if you love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news, why not sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox?