Lemon tree are typically grown in tropical or subtropical regions, but if you live in a colder area and want to enjoy homegrown lemons, you can learn how to grow lemon tree in pots and best of all It’s easier than you might imagine.
When you grow lemon trees in containers, it allows you to grow them in any environment. You can bring them inside when the weather starts to get colder, and they make a fragrant, beautiful houseplant, or you can grow them outside year-round if they have the right climate.
How to Grow Lemon tree in Pots
Planting a Lemon Tree Indoors
Lemon Trees are a great low-maintenance plant and can grow perfectly even within your house!
As a citrus variety, Lemon Trees require full to partial sun, which means about 4 to 8 hours of sunlight daily. For indoor growth, simply place them in front of a South-facing or sunny window.
Once you’ve scouted your chosen area and selected your favorite Lemon Tree, it’s easy to plant. Select a container that’s about one and a half or two times the width of your tree’s shipped container. For improved drainage, you can also fill the bottom of your pot with a 2-inch layer of crushed stone.
To plant outdoors, place your lemon tree in a South-facing area that gets just a bit of shade and maybe some shielding from harsh afternoon sun. Other than that, Lemon Trees just need a regular watering schedule and a plan for fertilizing.
The best time to plant your lemon tree is during the spring, to avoid any harsh winter or summer temperatures. This also depends on what growing zone you are located in.
Dig your hole just as deep and approximately twice as wide as the tree’s root ball.
After you’ve got everything ready, place your tree and loosen its roots just a bit. Then, backfill your hole with soil with 2 inches of compost and water well.
When the planting process is complete, you can also spread a 2 to 3-inch layer of mulch over the tree’s root area to preserve moisture. Just ensure you keep the mulch away from the tree’s bark.
How long does it take to grow a lemon tree?
When grown outdoors in warm climates, regular lemon trees grow 20 feet tall and take up to six years to bear fruit. 1 For indoor lemons, you need a tree that stays small and delivers lemons sooner.
Can you grow a lemon tree from seed?
Yes, indeed.
Lemon Tree Care
So, how should you care for your lemon? Caring for your lemon tree can be broken down into these five steps; watering, fertilizing, pruning, pest & disease solutions and harvesting.
1. Watering
Generally, a lemon tree should be watered once weekly or bi-weekly, depending on rainfall in your area or your humidity indoors. A watering schedule is important to keeping your Lemon Trees healthy and happy. But if you’re not sure when to water your Lemon Trees, just check the top 2 inches of soil. When this area is dry, it’s time to water.
2. Fertilizing
We recommend fertilizing your Lemon Trees (especially Meyers) every four to six weeks, from February to August, to ensure a healthy cycle. Citrus trees benefit from fertilizers that are generally balanced with a slightly nitrogen-rich blend.
3. Pruning Your Lemon Tree
Prune as needed to maintain your Lemon Trees’ shape. Clip any branches that are too long, and remove branches growing toward the trunk of the tree instead of away from it. This process maintains airflow between the branches and allows light to penetrate the center of the tree.
4. Pest and Disease Solutions
Citrus canker, root rot and mites are the most common pests and diseases affecting Lemon Trees, but luckily, they’re easy to treat, especially with organic, natural solutions. And if you keep your Lemon Trees indoors, you simply need to monitor and clean the leaves.
If you’re treating, ensure that you always use an approved fungicide, or just remove any dead or diseased areas. Fully remove infected material from the tree. Don’t use any of this material for compost.
5. Harvesting
Now it’s time for the best part: harvesting! Lemons are ready to pick when they’re yellow or yellow-green on the outside. And most of our Lemon Trees are primed for harvest after only a couple of years, or sooner.
