Growing Meyer lemon s in garden pots or the bottom may be a rewarding experience. Not only are they prolific fruit producers, but their showy white blossoms are incredibly fragrant and delightful . They also feature shiny dark green leaves. The Meyer lemon fruit is sweeter than the fruit of other lemons, and even the lemon peels are tasty and great for cooking.

Although Meyer lemon trees are naturally shrub-like, they will even be pruned into tree form. When planted within the ground, they will grow to 10 feet tall. When grown in garden pots, they’ll generally be smaller and grow accordingly with the dimensions of the pot. Seedlings develop at a moderate pace and may be expected in touch fruit in about four years. These trees are best planted within the early spring.

How to Grow Meyer Lemon Trees

Meyer lemon trees thrive in warm climates, and they’re popular as container-grown plants both outdoors and inside. Plus, their care needs are minimal, as long as you’re ready to find the perfect location for them.

While the plants can tolerate a touch of shade, they like a minimum of eight hours each day of direct sunlight. If you’re growing your Meyer lemon indoors, a south- or southwest-facing window is right to urge ample light. Moreover, these plants require well-draining soil, regular fertilization, and enough water to stay the soil moist.

Light

All citrus trees love the sun, and therefore the Meyer lemon is not any different. it’ll grow and fruit best fully sun, though it can survive during a slightly shady spot. choose your sunniest window when growing your plant indoors, or use grow lights to supplement the natural sunlight.

Soil

Meyer lemon trees can grow in almost any sort of soil with good drainage. they like a soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5 and thrive in loamy or sandy soils. Add lime to extend the soil pH or sulfur to lower it if necessary.

Water

Proper watering is one of the keys to growing any citrus plant, particularly those grown in pots. The aim is to stay the soil moist but not soggy. Stick your finger into the soil a minimum of up to the second knuckle. If you are feeling dampness at your fingertip, wait to water. If it feels dry, water your plant until you see water run out rock bottom of the pot.

If your plant is indoors, particularly within the winter when the warmth is on, misting the leaves with water can help to stay it healthy. It’s also an honest idea to use pot feet, which permit water to empty out of the pot and stop the plant from becoming waterlogged.

Temperature and Humidity

Meyer lemon trees are happiest in temperatures between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. meaning unless you reside in USDA growing zones 9 to 11, you ought to bring your Meyer lemon indoors when temperatures start regularly dipping below 50 degrees. If you reside outside of its growing zones, bring your tree outdoors again during the spring when nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees. Place it during a sunny area shielded from strong winds.

Citrus trees do best with humidity levels of fifty percent and above. If you don’t have a damp enough spot indoors, fill a tray with rocks and pour water to only below the highest of the rocks. Place the pot on top of the rocks, so humidity will get up round the plant.

Fertilizer

During the season (spring to fall), feed your lemon with either a high-nitrogen fertilizer or a slow-release all-purpose fertilizer. Typically three applications evenly spaced throughout the season should be enough. Citrus trees also respond well to additional feeding with a liquid fertilizer, like compost tea, liquid kelp, or fish emulsion, but it’s generally not necessary.

Potting and Repotting

When potting a Meyer lemon (or repotting a tree that has become overlarge for its container), choose a five-gallon or larger container that’s a minimum of 12 to fifteen inches tall. confirm the container has ample drainage holes. Fill the pot partway with the potting mixture (ideally one made for citrus trees), remove the tree from its original container, and fluff the roots if they’re matted. Place the tree within the center of the pot, and fill within the gaps with the potting mixture just to where the crown of the roots remains visible. depress the soil, and water the tree immediately.

Pruning

Periodically pruning your Meyer lemon isn’t essential, but it is often beneficial. Pruning can structure the plant, so it fits in your space and therefore the branches can support the fruit because it emerges. crop long, thin branches as they develop (these branches typically don’t produce fruit), therefore the other branches can fill out and strength to carry the fruit. Also, remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches as you see them.

Harvesting

Lemon trees are grown indoors usually just fruit within the spring while outdoor trees in warm climates will typically fruit year-round. Because citrus will only still ripen while still on the tree, confirm to attend until it’s ripe before picking. When ripe, Meyer lemons are going to be an ingredient yellow color and slightly soft to the touch. Use a knife or scissors to chop off the fruit, so you don’t risk damaging the plant by pulling off a bigger piece than intended.

Varieties of Lemon Trees

Besides the Meyer lemon, there are several other sorts of lemon trees, including:

• Citrus limon: this is often referred to as truth lemon, featuring light yellow, oval fruit that’s aromatic.
• Citrus limon ‘Eureka’: this is often a medium-sized tree that produces fruit known for its very sour flavor and few seeds.
• Citrus limon ‘Lisbon’: This tree can grow to around 30 feet tall and bears fruit that tastes almost like ‘Eureka’ lemons, though it’s more juice.