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How does a lemon tree grow


How Does a Lemon Tree Grow? | Home Guides

By SF Gate Contributor Updated September 15, 2020

Lemon trees (Citrus limon) love warm temperatures. The trees are thought to have originated in India and are usually grown in warmer climates, such as in Italy, California and Florida. If you live in an area that gets frost each year, you can grow a lemon tree in a container. The tree can spend the spring and summer outside but should be brought in when the temperatures drop. The lemon tree growing zone is narrow: USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11, reports Missouri Botanical Garden.

Tip

Lemon trees are grown from both seeds or by grafting a cutting from an existing tree onto the rootstock of another citrus.

Seed vs. Graft

A lemon tree can be started either from seed or by grafting a cutting from an existing lemon tree onto the rootstock of a tree from the citrus family, such as an orange tree. You can start a lemon tree from seed at home, but it has several drawbacks, most notably that the tree can take up to 15 years before it produces fruit.

It's also possible the lemon tree from seed won't come true and will never produce fruit. You can buy grafted trees, several years old, which will produce fruit within the first few years.

Lemon Tree Care

The tree will drop its leaves when temperatures fall to around 24 degrees Fahrenheit. It's very sensitive to freezing temperatures and will be damaged by the cold. If grown inside, a lemon tree needs constant temperatures of at least 52 F to prevent it from going dormant in the colder months. A lemon tree needs full sun each day to thrive. Growing lemon trees in pots is popular, although it's a chore moving them inside in the winter, so if you choose this method, be sure to put the pot on casters.

To grow and set fruit, a lemon tree needs soil that drains well. In the ground, it can tolerate soil that is sandy or high in clay. Fertilize your lemon tree yearly, throughout the growing season. Trees also benefit with the addition of a layer of compost to the top of the soil in spring, recommends University of Florida.

You can also feed the tree with a fertilizer formulated for citrus. Lemon trees need plenty of water to grow but the soil should not remain soggy. In a container, water the tree when the soil becomes dry. Giving the lemon tree too much water will cause the roots to rot.

Pollination and Fruit Production

A single lemon tree is able to produce fruit, as the trees are self-fertile. The flowers of a lemon tree contain both the female and male parts, so an outside pollinator, such as a honeybee, does not have to transfer the pollen from one flower to another.

It usually takes a lemon fruit about nine months to mature from flower to full fruit. Once a tree starts producing fruit, it can produce up to 100 pounds of lemon a year, depending on where it is grown.

References

How to Grow Lemon Trees

By

Sienna Heath

Sienna Heath

Sienna Mae Heath is a gardening expert with over five years of experience in gardening and landscape design. She grows her own food and flowers in her native Zone 6B. Sienna Mae runs The Quarantined Gardener blog and encourages the Lehigh Valley to develop victory gardens for sustainable, garden-based living. Her work has been featured in The Weeder's Digest, Gardening Know How, GrowIt, and more.

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Updated on 05/19/22

Reviewed by

Andrew Hughes

Reviewed by Andrew Hughes

Andrew Hughes is a certified arborist and member of the International Society of Arborists specializing in tree heal care. He founded and runs Urban Loggers, LLC, a company offering residential tree services in the Midwest and Connecticut.

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The Spruce / Kara Riley

In This Article

Looking to grow your own citrus fruit and not sure where to start? Learn to grow lemon trees in USDA Zones 8 through 11. Citrus limon offers an awakening scent, color, and flavor. Young leaves are reddish, and mature to a dark green on the surface and light green below. Be aware there are often sharp thorns on the twigs of the tree. Mildly fragrant flowers come from reddish buds. These blooms are either solitary or in small clusters of two or more. Four or five petals make up one flower, each of which is white on top and subtly purple beneath. Light-yellow to warm yellow fruit is oval and dotted with oil glands.

Though the lemon is native to Asia, its true origin is unclear. It likely migrated from India and into Italy, then throughout the Mediterranean region in the 2nd century. Lemon seeds finally arrived across the ocean, but the fruit didn't take off commercially until crops in Florida flourished in the 1950s.

Plant your lemon tree in the spring after the danger of frost has passed and you can expect it to be established within three years.

Botanical Name Citrus limon (Rutaceae)​
Common Name Lemon tree
Plant Type Broadleaf evergreen
Mature Size 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide
Sun Exposure Full sun 
Soil Type Well-drained fertile soil
Soil pH Slightly acidic and low in soluble salts
Bloom Time Spring
Flower Color White
Hardiness Zones 8-11 (USDA)
Native Area Asia
Toxicity Toxic to dogs and cats

How to Plant Lemon Trees

Lemon trees grow 10 to 20 feet tall and 10 to 15 feet wide. Space accordingly. Dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the root ball. If the root is bound, cut across the ball a few times; this will loosen the roots and encourage them to reach for nutrients in well-drained fertile soil.

Tropical and semi-tropical climates are best for growing lemons. The trees prefer low to moderate rainfall while growing in mild winters and warm to hot dry summer heat, which is why they are successfully grown in the sub-tropical "citrus belt" of the United States, which ranges from California along the Gulf Coast to Florida.

In Zone 8, plant a cold-hardy variety such as Meyer, which produces nearly seedless fruit and a plentiful harvest on even a small plant. Try Lisbon and Eureka in Zones 9 through 11.

Lemon Tree Care

Light

Lemon trees thrive in full sun in a place that is protected from the wind. If a freeze is possible in your area, plant on the southwestern side of the house along a wall for protection.

Soil

All citrus trees thrive in soil of medium texture and moderate depth with a slight acidity.

One that is well-drained is an absolute must as root rot is a problem in soggy conditions. Mulching should be avoided to prevent pooling water.

Water

Getting the watering requirements right with your lemon tree is crucial for a successful harvest. During the period of establishment, more frequent watering will be required—even as much as once or twice a week. Once mature, lemon trees develop more drought tolerance.

During the summer months, the soil should be kept moist, especially for young trees. Be careful not to cause waterlogging as boggy conditions are problematic.

Temperature and Humidity

Lemon trees are best grown in warm and humid states. They are the most sensitive to cold weather of all the citrus fruits and thrive in temperatures that range from 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They also prefer the humidity levels to be as close to 50% as possible.

Young trees are particularly sensitive to cold conditions and they should be brought indoors if temperatures take an unexpected drop.

Fertilizer

Like other citrus fruit trees, lemon trees are energy-hungry. Use a complete NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) fertilizer to encourage healthy growth and fruit production.

The Spruce / Kara Riley The Spruce / Kara Riley The Spruce / Kara Riley

Lemon Tree Varieties

There are three main types of lemon trees grown in the warmer parts of the United States.

Harvesting Lemons

It's natural for the flowers to develop into fruit and still take a year to mature to yellow and be mature for harvest. Leave the lemons on the tree to ripen. Like other citrus fruits, they will not ripen off the tree.

Each fruit packs citric acid and plenty of vitamin C. Welcome lemons into your garden and you'll have nutritious, cheerful fruits to last a lifetime. They are perfect for adding to meal recipes and even as an environmentally friendly cleaning option.

Pruning

The different lemon tree varieties have different growth habits, and this can impact pruning requirements. Regardless of variety, prioritize pruning long lateral branches for fruit growth or main leaders for aesthetics. You want a wide canopy to maximize fruit growth.

Pinch foliage to control the shape and encourage bloom. Prune young trees to encourage good branch structure. The upright growth habit of the Lisbon lemon tree means it needs more regular pruning to maintain a strong canopy and good food production.

Propagating Lemon Trees

Of all the citrus fruit trees, lemon trees are one of the easiest to propagate from cuttings.

Semi-hardwood cuttings can be taken from late spring to early summer. Look for new growth that has yet to produce fruit or flowers.

The cutting should be potted in a well-drained, consistently moist medium. They need warmth and humidity to guarantee success.

Overwintering

If you're bringing the lemon tree indoors, place your plant in a well-lit location that is not too warm. In winter, low indoor temperatures similar to early spring will actually encourage flowering. Bring it outdoors in late May to encourage natural pollination and let the fruit grow in the warmer spring and summer temperatures. Return the plant indoors in September.

Lemons are not fans of dry air. If you are concerned, misting or using a humidifier could be beneficial.

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  1. Lemon. ASPCA

Practical tips for growing a lemon tree in a pot

Tips

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Next time you eat a lemon, save a few seeds to grow your own tree. Even in the cold season, a productive lemon tree can grow in your home. Lemon, an evergreen citrus plant with a pleasant fresh aroma and large snow-white flowers, is not only a beautiful decorative element, but also a source of delicious, natural fruits that will give you and your loved ones a vitamin boost at any time of the year.

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BEFORE PLANTING

Carefully cut the lemon and remove the seeds. Select 12-15 large seeds with a smooth surface without deformation, otherwise they will either not germinate at all, or will not give healthy shoots. The bones must be washed to get rid of the mucous membrane: it can cause rotting of the seeds. It is best to leave the seeds in a glass of warm water overnight, this will not only clean them, but also help them germinate faster.

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GETTING READY FOR LANDING

The main criterion in choosing a pot for a lemon tree is the presence of drainage holes. Excess water should not accumulate in the pot, as this will lead to the death of the plant. Place a large tray under the pot and pour water into it: this will help maintain the necessary humidity. The depth of the pot should be chosen based on the estimated height of the lemon tree. For seed germination, a container with a volume of 0.5 liters or more is considered the best option, and already germinated seedlings are recommended to be placed in a larger pot. Choose a low-acid potting mix to fill the pot: Lemons grow well in peat moss soil and in soil designed for growing cacti.

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Find a well-lit, warm place to plant your tree. A place that receives direct sunlight for 8-12 hours a day is suitable. If there is no such place in the house, you can use special phyto-lamps for plants. At a temperature of + 25-28 ° C, the first shoots will appear in two weeks. Since lemon trees grow in humid climates, it's a good idea to install a humidifier in the room.

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PLANTING

  1. Fill the pot with soil 2 cm from the edge.

  2. Gently spray the soil with warm water from a spray bottle.

  3. Cover the pot with plastic wrap or a plastic bag, seal the edges and make small holes. Do not forget to monitor soil moisture: periodically remove the film and moisten the soil.

  4. After two weeks, when the first sprouts appear, remove the film. When the tree has grown significantly, choose a suitable size pot for it.

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MAINTENANCE

Water the lemon tree once a week. It is important to monitor the level of humidity: the soil should not be wet, because of this, brown rot may develop, but if it is too dry, natural salts that the tree itself secretes will accumulate, which will lead to its death. Remember to ventilate the room in which you grow lemons. If it's too cold outside, put a fan near the plant - this will mimic its natural habitat. It is useful to periodically fertilize the soil with compounds rich in nitrogen. Fertilize the tree every three weeks in warm weather and once every six weeks in the fall and winter.

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When fragrant white flowers bloom on the tree, pollinate them with a brush. Run the brush over the stamens and transfer the pollen to the center of the flower on the pistil. Repeat artificial pollination every day. A lemon tree can bear fruit without it, but by carrying out such manipulations, you increase the likelihood of large, juicy fruits.

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HARVESTING THE FRUIT

The lemon tree usually bears fruit about three years after planting. When clusters with fruits appear on the plant, remove about 2/3 of them. This will make room for the others and the lemons will grow bigger. In addition, a large number of fruits can overload the tree, leading to its exhaustion. To understand that the fruit is ripe, pay attention to its color: it should be bright yellow. You can also touch the fruit: a ripe lemon is soft to the touch. Once harvested, fruits can be stored for 1-2 months in a cupboard or refrigerator.

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9000 However, a plant can be not only beautiful, but also useful - for example, fruit-bearing, like a lemon. Have you tried to plant a bone before, and it didn’t work out for you? To grow lemons at home, you need to know some tricks. Then in a few years you will enjoy fragrant tea with your own lemons.

What kind of plant?

Lemon is considered an evergreen shrub, belongs to the rue family. Leaves and twigs of lemon in large quantities have glandular cells with pores that secrete phytoncides and essential oils - from this the house is filled with a wonderful aroma and health is strengthened.

Lemon looks interesting - this is a small tree, although it all depends on the variety - there are trees up to three meters. The lemon has fleshy glossy dark green leaves, and there are small spines on the trunk. Lemon blooms beautifully - these are red-pink outside and white inside flowers. Previously, lemons were exotic, but today they are not so rare even in our apartments with a far from tropical climate.

Seedling or stone?

It is easier to grow a lemon from a seedling (sprouted small tree), although it is possible to grow it from a lemon seed. Many people think that a bad lemon will turn out from a stone, and there will be no fruits on it, although this is not true. In about five years, it is quite possible to grow a fruit-bearing bush, thus lemons are bred in Italy, Spain and South Asia. It is more difficult to grow lemons here because of the climate, but at home the climate can always be created according to the requirements of the plants.

If you intend to buy a lemon seedling from specialized shops or a botanical garden, then you will be asked which variety you would like. And you need to know that only six main varieties can be grown at home - these are Genoa, Maykop, Meyer, Eureka and Novogruzinsky lemons . Of these, Maikopsky will be especially fruitful, and low ones - Eureka and Genoa, they can even be placed on a warm windowsill.

If you want a lemon from Escape

This is an easier way and is recommended for inexperienced botanists to start with. Escape is usually acquired in specialized amateur societies or botanical shops and gardens. When buying, ask for a one-year-old shoot so that it has at least three to four leaves. It is necessary to buy and plant a lemon at the end of February or March - these are the most natural growing conditions for a lemon in nature. At other times, the escape simply does not want to take root.

Special soil is important - it should be loose soil and a mixture of humus, turf and leafy soil, they must be taken in equal parts, sand from large particles must be added to this earth mixture in a 1: 1 ratio.

Lemons grow only in clay pots of very wide diameter and depth. Soak the pot in water a few hours before transplanting lemon into the ground. At the bottom of the pot in the place of the hole, put a clay shard so that it looks up with a bulge and closes the hole. A layer of fiberglass, a drainage layer of sand, small pebbles or expanded clay are placed on it (they can be perfectly replaced by charcoal). On top of this, a layer of dry manure (no more than 1 cm) is laid and the stalk is planted in the ground. Make sure that the root neck of the seedling is at the level of the edge of the pot or below it.

Pour the stalk with warm settled water and close it with a jar (700-gram or liter), this will protect the seedling from moisture loss. The jar can be removed only when the seedling takes root.

Seed lemon

To germinate a lemon so that it also bears fruit, you need to know the intricacies of its cultivation. Select the largest and most intact seeds from the fruits, place them in small containers like cups from curds with 3-4 drainage holes made.

For best results, treat the seeds with a natural germination stimulant, usually a sodium gummate solution (found in flower shops). In a diluted solution, the seeds should lie for a day. This will give a good development to the root system of the tree in the future, and seedlings - strength for growth.

After soaking in this solution, many recommend treating seeds and seedlings with extra-epin and zircon to accelerate the growth of seedlings and form resistance to dry air and low light in apartments.

From 10-15 seeds, select the most germinating ones and plant them in loose soil - it should be loose soil and a mixture of humus, sod and leafy soil, you need to take them in equal parts, to this earth mixture you need to add sand from large particles in the ratio 1:1. Planting depth - no more than 2 cm. Wait for shoots to germinate from three to five months, then select the best shoots. Further, everything is practiced as described above.

A tree at home requires special care - in order to wait for flowering and fruit, you must follow a few rules for growing lemons in the house.

Learn more