Lemon trees are a popular choice for growing indoors because they produce fruit year-round. They are easy to grow, and you can grow them in your own home, or in a greenhouse if they’re suitable for your climate.
A well-draining potting mix is key to successful lemon tree growth in pots. It also needs a good soil amendment that helps it absorb water, such as perlite or peat.
Location
Lemon trees are best grown in a location where they receive a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight. This will help them produce fruit and flowers.
For best results, choose a planter that has ample drainage holes to keep the roots from becoming too wet. You should also use a pot that is at least 25% larger than the root ball.
A good option is a clay pot which helps ensure good drainage. They are also lightweight and durable.
To maintain the proper shape of your potted lemon tree, prune regularly by clipping back the new shoots to half their length. This keeps the tree’s size in check and increases airflow between the branches.
Lemon trees are highly resilient plants that can withstand cold weather conditions. However, if your climate is very cold, you should protect them from freezing temperatures and move them indoors. Alternatively, you can place them in a greenhouse for their winter months to ensure that they continue to thrive.
Soil
If you’re ready to give your backyard or patio a citrus makeover, try growing lemon trees in pots. These versatile plants are easy to care for and produce sweet, yellow-orange fruit that’s great in recipes.
The best soil for these trees is a loamy mixture that is slightly acidic and moist but not soggy. They prefer a pH of between 5.5 and 6.5, but you can easily adjust it with lime or sulfur if needed.
Meyer lemons are a hybrid citrus that was first introduced in China in 1908. They’re a bit more cold-tolerant than Eureka and Lisbon lemons, but still need a sunny, sheltered spot to thrive.
You can also plant these trees in containers for more flexibility if you live in a climate that doesn’t allow them to survive in the ground. Choose a sturdy container that is 1-2 sizes larger than the one your tree arrived in, so it has room to grow.
Water
Lemon trees in pots require regular watering to stay healthy and produce good-quality fruit. They do best when their soil is evenly moist and not soggy. You can test the top 2-inches of soil for moisture by sticking your finger into it.
Citrus-specific potting mixes are available from garden nurseries. These contain a combination of cactus, palm and citrus tree soil designed to retain moisture and drain freely.
It’s essential to use a potting mix that’s specially formulated for container gardening and contains the correct pH balance for these plants. It should also be mixed with plenty of aged manure to improve the texture and fertility of the soil.
Once your Meyer lemon tree is potted, water deeply until it flows out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the container. Then, follow a regular watering schedule that takes into account rainfall in your area and the humidity indoors.
Light
Lemon trees are easy to grow in pots, especially if you live in a warm climate where citrus thrives. Meyer lemons (Citrus x meyeri) are popular as container-grown plants both outdoors and indoors because of their incredibly fragrant blooms and juicy fruits.
Citrus trees are nutrient-hungry, so they need fertilizer on a regular basis to keep them healthy and producing fruit. Fertilize your tree with a slow-release fertilizer with a high-nitrogen content.
You can use a granule fertilizer or apply it by hand to the soil of your pot. Regardless of your choice, water the tree after adding fertilizer to ensure it absorbs all the nutrients.
For optimum results, place your lemon tree in a spot that gets 8 hours or more of direct sunlight per day. This will encourage the flowers to bloom and produce lemons.