Lemon Tree

A lemon tree is a shrub or small tree that can grow up to about 13 feet (4 m) tall and spread about 3 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 m) wide. It has glossy dark green leaves, fragrant white flowers in spring, and yellow fruit. Many cultivars exist, and Meyer lemon is one of the varieties often grown in containers.

Sowing from seed. The sources here do not give seed sowing dates, sowing depth or germination times for lemon, so this page cannot tell you when to sow seeds. The Pennsylvania example started from a grafted tree bought online, and dwarf citrus is described as grafted onto cold-hardy rootstock. Young citrus plants may not bear fruit for a few years, and the sources do not say how long a seed-grown lemon takes.

Light and placement. Give the tree at least 6 hours of direct sun, or 8 to 12 hours if you can. Outdoors, place it in full sun in spring after the danger of frost has passed, and move it back indoors in fall before the first frost. Move it out or in gradually, since sudden temperature changes can cause fruit drop.

Pot. Lemons can be grown in a container, and one guide advises a large pot with a well-draining potting mix.

Watering. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and let the top of the soil dry out between waterings. Use a pot with a drainage hole, and empty any water from the saucer.

Feeding. Feed during the growing season from spring to late summer with a fertilizer that has a nitrogen ratio of 2-1-1 or 3-1-1, and stop by early fall. Repot into fresh potting mix once every three years.

Winter and humidity. Citrus damaged below 32 °F (0 °C) needs winter protection. Meyer lemons are cold-hardy to 22 °F (−6 °C), so they need to spend winter indoors, where a humidifier or misting helps.

Hand-pollinating indoors. The tree is self-pollinating, but indoors you will need to brush blossoms with a small dry paintbrush to set fruit.

Pruning. Prune to keep the desired height and shape, and remove broken or dead branches at any time. Some varieties, such as Meyer lemon, produce thorns that can be pruned off at any time without harm.

Lemon trees are prone to scale insects, mites, mealybugs, whiteflies and aphids. Yellow leaves with green veins can mean the soil is not acidic enough or lacks iron. Leaves dropping after a move can mean a change in temperature, light or humidity. Flower drop suggests the soil is too dry, while leaf drop suggests overwatering. If the tree has no flowers or fruit, it may be too young, short of light, or not hand-pollinated.

Meyer lemons ripen mainly from fall to winter, but may produce fruit throughout the year. One guide says it takes six to nine months for a lemon to fully ripen. Citrus naturally drops some immature fruit, and up to 75% of fruit may fall off, which is normal.

Toxic to dogs and to cats. Vomiting, diarrhea, depression and possible skin irritation are listed as signs of trouble in pets. The fruit is listed as edible, but the skins and plant material can cause problems for pets.