The availability of fresh, ripe citrus fruits is one of the best things about summertime! While all citrus plants are different and require different care, the lemon may be the easiest type of citrus to grow. In fact, there are 3 different ways to do so.
Do you want to plant your lemons inside or outside? By seed or by growth? In this article, we will explore the ways in which you can plant your lemon tree. By the end, you will have recognized the best method for you and feel confident to tackle it on your own!
How to Plant a Lemon Tree 3 Ways
From Seed
Prepare your potting soil. In a large container or bucket, combine well-draining soil and water until the soil feels damp. Then, mix the mess until all of the soil is damp evenly. Too wet, and the seeds will rot.
We recommend purchasing soil that is made specifically for citrus. There should be peat, vermiculite, organic fertilizer, and perlite in this mix. Additionally, look for pasteurized soil as unpasteurized can carry too much bacteria.
Select your pot. The container you grow your seed in should have small drainage holes. If you only want to plant one at a time, choose a pot that is 5 to 7 inches deep and 3 to 4 inches wide. For planting more than one seed at a time, buy a longer, wider pot the same depth.
Put your soil mix into the pot. Leave 1 inch of space at the top.
Create a hole only half an inch deep with your finger.
Choose a good seed from your organic lemon. These seeds are more likely to sprout than non-organic seeds. We recommend choosing the plumpest ones, as small or shriveled seeds will not take root. We also recommend planting up to 10 seeds at a time just in case some don’t grow.
Wash the seeds or suck on them until the slimy film on top is gone. If not, this coating can cause the seed to rot. The best way to prepare your seeds is to leave them in warm water overnight.
Once the seeds are ready, place them into the holes you have prepared. The rounded part should be facing up, and the jagged tip should be pointing down. The seedling will sprout out of the rounded edge.
Cover the seed with some dirt and place a breathable plastic securely on top. This is to allow moisture and warmth to stay inside, like a greenhouse. If you want, use plastic wrap and make a few holes in the top so the seedlings can breathe.
Put the lemon tree hopefuls somewhere in a warm location between 68 and 80 degrees F, or 20 to 28 degrees C. Do not put the container in direct sunlight or the seeds will fry up.
Water the soil if necessary. Most of the time the condensation produced by your mini greenhouse will give the plant all of the moisture necessary. However, in dry climates you may have to remove the plastic and give them a water if the soil becomes dry.
Once the sprouts have appeared, move the container to a sunny location such as a windowsill. The soil should be kept damp but not soggy.
From Growth
- Choose a sunny location for your citrus plant. You also want a location that has well-draining soil and is not prone to flooding.
- The best climate for citrus is the Mediterranean variety. If you live somewhere warmer or cooler, ask your local nursery about options that will grow well where you live. Generally, stores will not sell trees that won’t grow in the location.
- Choose a variety. If you don’t have much space, try a dwarf lemon. For privacy and a larger yield, choose trees that will grow much larger.
- Dig a hole about 3 feet around and as deep as the container the growth is currently in. Make sure you keep the root crown about the soil. This is the part where the roots transition into the trunk. In fact, plant your tree slightly higher than the surrounding soil.
- Add some compost, citrus soil, and fertilizer in the hole before placing your tree in. Be sure to create a mound in the middle.
- Take the tree out of the container or burlap wrapping it came in. Place the tree on the mound and make sure the height is right. Then, finish filling the hole with your garden’s soil and compost.
- In terms of mulching, do not use organic mulch. It can cause foot rot disease. Also, do not cover the whole area of the roots with mulch. Instead, place the mulch in a circle around where you think the outer edges of the roots are.
- Water thoroughly, and continue to water at least once a week. Even once the tree has taken hold it will need to be watered regularly. Citrus trees are not very drought tolerant.
Indoors
Whether you decide how to plant a lemon tree from seed or growth, you can do both inside. However, there are a few things you need to be aware of that differ from planting outside. Here is the lowdown on raising lemon trees indoors.
- Choose Meyer lemons.
- Buy a tree between 2 and 3 years old.
- Pick a pot that is deep enough, plastic, and has drainage holes. We recommend a minimum of 15 gallons for the tree.
- Choose a spot that gets between 8 and 12 hours of direct sunlight a day. You can also use a grow light, but it will need to be on all 12 hours.
The pineca is a well-known manufacturer of wooden garden buildings such as log cabins, wooden sheds and many more. If you are looking for owning one, then visit the website here.
That's good to know that you want around 15 gallons for the tree pot. I want to plant some fruit trees in my backyard, so that's good information to know. I'll keep an eye out for pots like that if I decide to go with lemon trees.