Experience the unmatched taste of homegrown lemons with your very own indoor citrus tree. Despite the initial challenge of nurturing a plant from seed to harvest, you can successfully grow a lemon tree in a container without the need for extensive outdoor space or a large orchard. The benefits of cultivating a lemon tree at home are numerous, with the most significant advantage being that you can savor fresh fruit throughout the year, even in colder seasons. Although transitioning these trees indoors requires extra effort, the rewards are truly gratifying—imagine enjoying homemade lemonade straight from your personal tree! In this guide, expert tips on planting, propagation, and more are provided.
Meet Our Experts:
– Samantha Sergeant, ISA-certified arborist and fruit tree specialist at Fruitstitute
– Laura Irish-Hanson, horticulture educator at the University of Minnesota Extension
Varieties Suitable for Indoor Growth:
When selecting a lemon variety for indoor cultivation, consider two main types that thrive in indoor environments.
Meyer Lemon:
This hybrid lemon offers a slightly sweeter flavor than traditional lemons, making it perfect for various culinary uses, including lemonade. Samantha Sergeant notes that Meyer lemons are popular for indoor growth because they produce a generous amount of fruit without requiring extensive space. Additionally, their delightful fragrance adds to their appeal.
Ponderosa Lemon:
For those seeking larger fruits, the Ponderosa lemon is an excellent choice for indoor cultivation. Although this variety yields substantial fruits weighing up to a pound or more, the tree’s compact size allows it to thrive in a container.
Care Guidelines:
In the past, lemons were cultivated indoors in specialized structures known as “limonaias” in Italy, providing optimal conditions for their growth. To replicate this success in your home, it is essential to understand the specific needs of a lemon tree.
Temperature:
Maintain a temperature range in your home that mimics the natural environment of a lemon tree. According to Laura Irish-Hanson, a drop of 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit between daytime and nighttime temperatures is ideal for lemon trees, with a daytime temperature of around 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lighting:
Lemon trees thrive in full sunlight, although they can tolerate partial shade. Position your tree in the sunniest window available, preferably a south-facing one in the Northern Hemisphere, to ensure it receives ample sunlight for optimal growth and fruit production. Regularly clean the leaves to enhance photosynthesis, and ensure that the windows are clear to allow maximum sunlight penetration.
Soil and Water:
Given the acidic nature of lemons, it is crucial to provide your lemon tree with slightly acidic soil. Irish-Hanson recommends using a fertilizer designed for acid-loving plants at half-strength during the active growth period, typically from spring to fall. Citrus trees prefer loose, well-draining soil to thrive successfully.
Amy is better, and possibly even a little sandy. “It needs to be well-draining while holding onto moisture,” says Irish-Hanson. Let the soil dry out about two inches down, then water thoroughly. Related: 8 Vegetables That Thrive in Sandy Soil, According to Gardening Experts. Humidity is a key factor for your lemon tree’s well-being. Your lemon tree expects somewhat humid conditions, which might not be naturally present in your home environment. “Humidity can be an issue, particularly in colder climates,” says Irish-Hanson. “The hot, dry, forced air can drastically decrease the humidity in the home. Citrus typically grows best between 30 to 60 percent humidity.” To address this, she recommends investing in a humidifier, which will help improve the overall humidity levels in your home.
When it comes to pruning, lemon trees are evergreen, allowing you to prune them at any time after fruiting. The primary goals of pruning are to remove unnecessary suckers and promote airflow into the central part of the tree. You can also remove any dead or damaged branches. As your tree matures, you may also prune it for shaping purposes if necessary. Related: How to Prune a Lemon Tree So it Produces Fruit for Years to Come.
Propagating lemon trees can be done from seeds but may offer less control over their genetics. A quicker and more reliable method is to grow them from cuttings. To do this, locate a slightly matured, actively growing shoot on a lemon tree and cut a small section just below the leaf. Apply rooting hormone to the cut to stimulate growth. Then, place the cutting in a container with general potting soil, where it can hopefully take root. However, for most home gardeners aiming to grow lemon trees indoors, purchasing a young, potted tree is likely the most convenient option. As it grows, transferring the tree to a slightly larger pot will be necessary.
If you wish to harvest lemons from your indoor trees—certainly a desirable goal—it will require some extra effort since there are no bees or other insects around for pollination. “It requires the added work and technique of hand pollination,” explains Sergeant. “The homeowner must ‘be the bee’ and use a small brush to pollinate the flowers.” Citrus fruits typically take six months to ripen from pollination to picking, making them a winter crop. When the lemon is fully ripe with no green edges visible, gently twisting it will detach the fruit from the tree without causing damage to any branches. While you may not be harvesting large quantities of lemons from an indoor tree, you can still relish its beauty year-round—and nothing compares to the delightful taste of a lemon that you have grown yourself. Read the original article on Martha Stewart.
