Lemon Tree / Lemon
Citrus × limon
description
Lemon Tree is a fragrant evergreen citrus that can flower and fruit in a sunny container.
benefits
- Suitable for containers
warnings
- Toxic to cats
- Toxic to dogs
How to care for Lemon Tree
sunlight
Lemon trees grow in open, sunny citrus groves, so indoors they need the brightest position you have to flower and fruit well.
Full sun
Give it about 6-8 hours of direct sun daily, ideally at an unobstructed south or west window. Some gentle morning sun is useful, but acclimate a newly purchased or recently moved tree over 1-2 weeks to prevent leaf scorch.
watering
Water deeply, then let the top 1-2 inches of soil dry before watering again. Lemon trees need moisture while growing, but their roots quickly suffer in soggy compost.
Spring - summer
In bright, warm conditions, this is often about every 5-10 days. Check below the surface first, then soak the root ball until water runs from the drainage holes and empty the saucer.
Autumn - winter
With lower light and slower growth, water roughly every 10-21 days, only when the upper soil has dried and the pot feels noticeably lighter. A warm, sunny room may shorten this interval.
Light, heat, humidity, pot size and material, soil mix, and active roots all change the timing. If growth is soft or leaves yellow while the soil stays wet, let it dry further between waterings.
humidity
Comfortable indoors
Lemon trees suit average household humidity, but they are happiest with moderately moist air, like the warm, seasonally humid conditions citrus prefers. Aim for at least 40%, especially during winter heating.
Air that is too dry can cause brown, crispy leaf edges, curling leaves, bud drop, or increased spider mite problems. Keep the tree away from radiators and hot air vents.
- Run a humidifier nearby if humidity stays below 40%.
- Give the tree space for airflow, especially in a cool room, to avoid damp foliage lingering.
temperature
Preferred temperature
Winter minimum
Lemon trees come from warm, sunny subtropical conditions. Keep yours comfortably warm in active growth, and give it a bright, cooler winter spot if needed, but protect the roots and leaves from prolonged cold below 10°C (50°F).
nutrition
March - September
Feed every 2-4 weeks while the tree is making new leaves, flowering, or developing fruit. Use a liquid citrus fertilizer with trace minerals at about half the label strength. In winter, stop feeding unless it is actively growing in very bright light.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen supports the glossy green leaves citrus needs to fuel flowering and fruiting. A balanced citrus feed supplies it without pushing weak, overly soft growth.
Potassium
Potassium supports flowering, fruit development, and overall resilience. Choose a fertilizer made for citrus rather than a general houseplant feed when possible.
soil
Loose, moisture-retentive, well-draining soil
Lemon roots need air as well as steady moisture, and they decline in dense, waterlogged compost. Use a quality container mix blended with perlite, pumice, or fine bark so water drains freely without the root ball drying out immediately.
pH 5,5 - 6,5
This is slightly acidic, which helps citrus take up nutrients efficiently. Most mixes labelled for citrus or acid-loving plants are suitable, or choose a fresh, peat- or coir-based potting mix and avoid adding lime.