Lemon

Plant Overview

Lemon (Citrus × limon) is listed in the Rutaceae family and categorized as a fruit with a perennial tree life cycle. This profile summarizes growing information for hardiness, light, soil, water, seed starting, maturity, and other available cultivation details. Difficulty is listed as Moderate.

Plant ID

PLT-0104

Family

Rutaceae

Plant type

Fruit

Life cycle

Perennial tree

Growth habit

Evergreen to semi-evergreen citrus tree with a rounded, branching canopy

Mature height

Commonly about 10-20 feet, depending on rootstock, cultivar, climate, and pruning

Mature spread

Commonly about 10-15 feet, depending on rootstock and training

Difficulty

Moderate

Growing Conditions

Lemon is listed for full sun conditions. Water needs are listed as moderate; keep soil evenly moist during establishment and fruit development while allowing the root zone to drain well between waterings. The database soil reference is Fertile, well-drained sandy loam or loam with good aeration. The listed soil pH range is 5.5-6.5, and the listed hardiness range is 9-11.

Hardiness zones

9-11

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil

Fertile, well-drained sandy loam or loam with good aeration

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

Water needs

Moderate; keep soil evenly moist during establishment and fruit development while allowing the root zone to drain well between waterings

Plant spacing

Allow roughly 12-20 feet between full-size trees, with closer spacing possible for dwarf or container-grown plants

Seed & Germination

For propagation, the database note is lemon seeds can germinate after sowing fresh seed under warm, moist conditions, but named cultivars are normally propagated by budding or grafting. Planting-depth guidance: For seed propagation, sow fresh lemon seed shallowly in a moist, well-drained medium; named cultivars are normally established as budded or grafted nursery trees. Maturity guidance: Budded or grafted lemon trees may begin producing fruit within a few years, with yields increasing as the tree becomes established. Use these values as general reference points and adjust for local climate, seed source, and growing conditions.

Germination

Lemon seeds can germinate after sowing fresh seed under warm, moist conditions, but named cultivars are normally propagated by budding or grafting

Germination temperature

Lemon seed germination is favored by warm conditions, generally around 70-85°F, with steady moisture and good aeration

Seed depth

For seed propagation, sow fresh lemon seed shallowly in a moist, well-drained medium; named cultivars are normally established as budded or grafted nursery trees

Sowing method

Usually established as a budded or grafted citrus nursery tree; seed sowing is mainly used for seedlings, breeding, or rootstock production

Start indoors

Lemon seeds can be started indoors in warm conditions, but named fruiting cultivars are usually purchased as budded or grafted nursery trees

Transplanting

Plant nursery trees at the same depth they were growing in the container, keep the graft or bud union above the soil line, and protect the root ball from drying

Harvest & Propagation

Days to maturity

Budded or grafted lemon trees may begin producing fruit within a few years, with yields increasing as the tree becomes established

Harvest

Harvest when fruit has reached full size and characteristic yellow color for the cultivar, with good juice content and developed aroma

Propagation

Named lemon cultivars are normally propagated by budding or grafting onto selected citrus rootstocks; cuttings may also be used for some types

Seed saving

Seeds can be collected from fully mature lemons and cleaned before sowing, but seedlings may vary genetically and will not reliably reproduce the parent cultivar

Pollination

Lemon flowers are generally self-fertile, with insects such as bees improving pollination and fruit set

Garden Information

Common pests

Citrus leafminer, aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, mites, whiteflies, and citrus psyllids

Common diseases

Citrus canker, root and foot rots caused by Phytophthora, greasy spot, melanose, sooty mold associated with sap-feeding insects, and other citrus diseases

Uses

Fresh juice, cooking, baking, beverages, preserves, zest, flavoring, household culinary use, and ornamental container growing