Lemon trees bloom in the spring with lace-like flowers and yield bright yellow, tangy fruits with vitamin C. They not only brighten up your garden, but also provide fresh ingredients for your meals and drinks. While you can easily find young trees at local nurseries that produce fruit quickly, growing a lemon tree from seed can be a rewarding experience when it finally bears fruit.
If you don’t have yard space, don’t worry - lemon trees can thrive indoors too, like many houseplants such as Monstera Deliciosa. Our gardening expert Bob is here to share his knowledge and tips on how to grow a lemon tree from seed successfully in this guide.
Types of Lemon Trees
Before you start growing lemon trees, you should learn about the various types of lemon trees. Below, you’ll find some popular varieties that commonly found in grocery stores and nurseries.
- Eureka Lemon - This is one of the most common and widely grown lemon varieties. It produces medium-sized, bright yellow lemons with that classic tangy taste. Eureka lemon trees are thornless and bear fruit all year long, which is why they’re popular for home gardens in most climates.
- Lisbon Lemon - Similar to Eureka lemon, the Lisbon lemon is juicy and has a strong acidity. What sets it apart is its thicker skin and a pricklier plant, plus it is generally more tolerant of cold weather. The Lisbon lemon tree is evergreen and produces fruit year-round.
- Meyer Lemon - This kind of lemon tree is a hybrid of lemon and mandarin orange, yielding smaller, round fruits that turn deep yellow to orange when they’re ripe. Meyer lemon has a low acidity, so they are perfect for desserts.
- Ponderosa Lemon - This lemon is much bigger than regular one and have thick, bumpy skins similar to grapefruits. Ponderosa lemon tree is prickly and needs warm, sunny climates to grow well.
How to Grow Lemon Trees from Seed?
Similar to growing herbs, planting a lemon tree is a relatively easy project among all homegrown fruits. However, if you’re starting from seeds, it might take about 5 to 7 years before you see any fruit, so patience is the key. Simply follow these steps to grow lemon trees from seed.
Step 1: Choose a lemon type
Choose the type of lemon tree you want to grow and buy some from supermarket. Look for those that are plump and have no blemishes.
Step 2: Prepare the seeds
Cut the lemon in half and pick out the seeds with your fingers. Rinse off the juice and pulp on the surface with some water. Then, place the seeds in a cup of water and let them soak for 24 hours to soften their outer layer. Discard the floating seeds as they won’t grow.
Step 3: Plants the seeds
Find a pot or seedling container and fill it with well-drained, rich-soil, leaving about a half-inch of space at the top. Plant the soaked seeds a couple of inches apart and top it off with the remaining half-inch of soil. Water lightly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
Step 4: Grow lemon trees in a warm place
Put the pot somewhere warm with indirect sunlight. If you’re growing them indoors or don’t have much natural light, you can also use a grow light. To help with germination, cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or plastic wrap to create a mini greenhouse effect.
Step 5: Germination and transplanting
Keep the soil moist. When the seedlings have sprouted and grown to 2-3 inches high or have a few leaves, you can take off the plastic covering. Once they grow to 6-8 inches tall, it’s time to transplant them into a bigger pot.
Lemon Tree Care Guide
According to Plant Natural, lemon trees are native to warm, humid environments in tropical, subtropical, and Mediterranean climates, but with proper care, they can grow almost anywhere. Here are some care tips:
- Light - Lemon trees thrive in full sunlight. Ideally, they should receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. If natural light is lacking, consider using grow lights as supplement. Inadequate light can lead to leggy growth and reduced fruit production. For indoor plants, it’s best to place them near a south-facing window or use grow lights.
- Watering - Lemon tree prefer to stay moist, but be careful not to overwater them, which can cause root rot. Before watering, stick your finger in the soil about an inch down to check if it’s dry. During dry periods, especially in hot months, water them deeply once a week.
- Soil - Lemon trees prefer well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil, ideally with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Use a potting mix designed for citrus trees, or amend regular potting soil with sand or perlite to prevent waterlogging.
- Fertilizing - During the growing season, usually in spring and summer, fertilize your lemon tree every 6 to 8 weeks using a citrus-specific fertilizer or a complete nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) mix. Spread the fertilizer evenly around the circumference of the tree. If you notice yellowing leaves, it might be due to lack of nitrogen, magnesium, zinc, iron, or potassium.
- Temperature - Lemon trees are sensitive to cold temperature and thrive best in warmer temps between 70°F and 85°F. In colder climates, you can move them indoors during the winter. If you live in an area with year-round cold weather, setting up a temperature controller with a heating mat in your indoor greenhouse can help maintain a comfortable temperature for your lemon trees.
- Humidity - Lemon trees are also particular about humidity levels. 40-60% relative humidity is ideal. To keep things just right, you can use a humidity controller to automatically maintain the humidity levels.
- Pruning - Regularly pruning dead or diseased branches can improve air circulation and shape the tree. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring when the tree is dormant and the wounds can heal quickly.
- Pest Control - Outdoors, lemon trees are mostly pest-free, but indoors, they can attract pests like aphids, spider mites, and scale insects. To keep your tree safe from these common nuisances, use natural solutions like neem oil or insecticidal soap. Another option is to use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to spot-treat any pests you find.
