Growing a lemon tree at home can be a rewarding experience. Not only do lemons add a vibrant touch to your garden, but they also provide fresh fruit for cooking, baking, and even drinks. In this guide, you’ll learn how to grow a lemon, care for the tree, and explore the steps to planting lemon seeds. Additionally, we’ll touch on how to grow lemongrass and lime trees as bonus tips for those interested in citrus and related plants. How to Grow Blueberries also here!
How to Plant Lemon Seeds
Growing a lemon tree from seed is a fun project, though it requires patience. Here’s how to plant lemon seeds:
Step 1: Extract the Seeds
- Choose a ripe lemon and cut it open.
- Extract the seeds and rinse off any pulp. Let them dry for about an hour, but don’t let them dry out completely.
Step 2: Prepare for Planting
- Fill a small pot with seed-starting mix or well-draining soil. Make sure the pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
- Plant the seeds about 1 cm deep in the soil.
- Water the soil lightly, keeping it moist but not soggy.
Step 3: Create the Right Environment
- Cover the pot with plastic wrap to maintain humidity and place it in a sunny spot.
- Seeds can take 2-4 weeks to germinate, so be patient and water the soil regularly to keep it moist.
Step 4: Transplanting
Once the seedlings are strong enough, usually after 6-8 weeks, transplant them to a larger pot or into your garden, if the climate allows.
How to Care for a Lemon Tree
Whether you’ve grown your lemon tree from seed or bought a young plant, proper care is essential for growth and fruit production. Here’s how to care for a lemon tree:
Step 1: Sunlight
Lemon trees need plenty of sunlight to thrive—ideally 8-12 hours per day. Place your tree in the sunniest part of your garden or home. If growing indoors, place it near a south-facing window or supplement with grow lights.
Step 2: Watering
Lemon trees prefer consistently moist soil but not waterlogged conditions. Water deeply once a week, allowing the top few inches of soil to dry out between waterings. In hotter climates, you may need to water more frequently.
Step 3: Fertilizing
Lemon trees are heavy feeders. Use a citrus-specific fertilizer high in nitrogen, and fertilize the tree during the growing season (spring and summer). Avoid fertilizing in winter, as the tree will be in a dormant phase.
Step 4: Pruning
Pruning is key to maintaining a healthy tree. Remove dead or diseased branches and thin out the canopy to allow more sunlight to reach the inner branches. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth starts.
How Big Do Lemon Trees Get?
How big do lemon trees get depends on whether you’re growing a standard variety or a dwarf variety. Standard lemon trees can grow up to 4.5-6 meters (15-20 feet) tall when planted in the ground, while dwarf varieties, often grown in containers, usually reach 2-3 meters (6-10 feet). If you’re growing a lemon tree indoors, it’s likely to remain smaller due to the limited space.
Container-grown lemon trees can still produce fruit, though they typically don’t grow as large as those planted in the ground.
How Do You Grow a Lime Tree?
Lime trees grow similarly to lemon trees, requiring the same care and conditions. Here’s a quick overview of how do you grow a lime tree:
- Soil: Limes thrive in well-drained, slightly acidic soil, just like lemons.
- Sunlight: Lime trees need full sunlight—8-12 hours a day is ideal.
- Watering: Water deeply, but let the soil dry out between waterings.
- Fertilizing: Use a balanced fertilizer during the growing season to promote healthy growth and fruit production.
Lime trees also benefit from regular pruning and may take 3-5 years to start producing fruit.
How to Grow Lemongrass
Lemongrass is a fast-growing herb that adds flavor to many dishes and makes an excellent companion plant for lemon and lime trees. Here’s how to grow lemongrass:
Step 1: Starting from Stalks
- Purchase fresh lemongrass stalks from a grocery store or garden center.
- Place the stalks in water, ensuring the roots are submerged. Put the container in a sunny spot and change the water every few days.
Step 2: Planting
- Once roots develop (usually within 2 weeks), plant the stalks in well-drained soil, either in the garden or a container.
- Lemongrass thrives in full sunlight and needs regular watering, especially during hot weather.
Step 3: Harvesting
You can begin harvesting lemongrass once the stalks are thick and at least 30 cm (12 inches) tall. Simply cut the stalks close to the base, leaving enough for regrowth.
Conclusion
Learning how to grow a lemon tree from seed or a young plant can be a fun and fruitful experience. By providing the right amount of sunlight, water, and nutrients, your lemon tree will thrive and produce delicious lemons for years to come. Along the way, you may also want to explore growing lime trees or herbs like lemongrass, which complement citrus plants. Remember, patience is key, especially when growing lemons from seeds, but the rewards are worth the effort!