Citrus × bergamia (Bergamot Orange)

Bergamot and the citrus coast of Calabria

Bergamot has a long history as a cultivated citrus. It was established around the Mediterranean by the early eighteenth century and became especially important in southern Italy.

Its commercial history is closely tied to coastal Calabria, where the rind oil developed into a major fragrance crop. This Calabrian tradition produced well-known bergamot selections including ‘Femminello’, ‘Castagnaro’ and ‘Fantastico’.

Growing Bergamot Orange indoors

• Light and temperature: Give Bergamot abundant direct sun and warm conditions during active growth. When light levels are lower, keep Bergamot bright and frost-free; cooler temperatures are suitable as long as the pot continues to dry steadily.
• Humidity: Keep humidity moderate, especially when indoor heating is running, and place the foliage away from radiators or heating vents.
• Watering: Water after the surface dries and the centre becomes lightly moist, then let excess water drain freely. Flowering and fruiting plants use more water, so check the pot more often when a crop is developing.
• Soil and repotting: Use an airy citrus mix. Repot when roots have crowded the container or old mix has lost its open structure and drainage has slowed, stepping up to a slightly larger pot.
• Feeding and pruning: Feed with a complete citrus fertiliser during active growth and fruit development. Follow the label, flush accumulated salts with plain water when needed, and shorten selected long or crossing shoots after harvest or when fresh stems have matured.

Common Bergamot problems

• Green leaves fall after the plant is relocated: Bergamot can react to abrupt changes in light, temperature and how quickly the pot dries. Keep it in a stable bright position, base watering on moisture below the surface and leave the plant in place while the crown adjusts.
• Leaf tips become dry and brown: Prolonged drought, salt buildup around the roots or hot dry air can scorch the margins. Check moisture below the surface. If drainage is good and salts have built up, water thoroughly with plain water and let the excess drain. Move the crown away from direct heater air.
• Fine yellow speckling or webbing appears: Spider mites can build quickly in warm dry indoor conditions. Isolate Bergamot and inspect both sides of the leaves. Treat only with a product whose label covers both the pest and the plant, and follow the stated repeat interval.
• Leaves yellow while the pot remains wet: A mix that stays too wet can damage fine roots and look like a nutrient shortage. Empty standing water and inspect the roots if the pot stays heavy or smells sour. If decay is confirmed, use clean, disinfected tools to cut away soft or rotten tissue back to firm, healthy tissue and discard the removed material. Then follow the root-rot guide.

If the cause is still unclear, send us clear photos of the whole plant, the affected area and the potting mix so we can help you narrow it down.

Keep Citrus × bergamia (Bergamot Orange) away from pets

• The fruit flesh is edible, while leaves, peel and other plant material can irritate cats and dogs.
• These parts contain essential oils and psoralens that may cause vomiting, stomach pain, unusual tiredness or skin irritation.
• Contact a veterinarian if a pet chews the plant or develops symptoms. Seek medical advice if a person becomes unwell after exposure.

Why is Citrus × bergamia now called Citrus × limon?

Citrus is the classical Latin name used for citron and related citrus plants. The epithet bergamia preserves the historical name for bergamot.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Citrus in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 782.

Antoine Risso first described it as Citrus × limetta var. bergamia in 1813 in Annales du Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, volume 20, page 197. Antoine Risso and Pierre Antoine Poiteau later placed it in Citrus as Citrus × bergamia in 1819 in Histoire Naturelle des Orangers, plate 53-56.

Kew’s World Checklist treats Citrus × bergamia as a synonym of Citrus × limon. Pehr Osbeck placed the species in Citrus as Citrus × limon in 1765 in Reise Ostindien, page 250.