Can I keep a Meyer lemon tree indoors?
Yes. Meyer lemons do well indoors, although they benefit from mild winter temperatures outside. They need lots of sun, regular watering in a well draining medium and moderate fertilizer formulated for fruit trees. Give them a dryer period with less water in the winter. Meyer lemon trees are a great choice for cold-climate gardeners who want an exotic crop. They have a compact, bushy form that makes them suitable for growing in a pot, and they’re quite cold hardy—more cold hardy than true lemons. See more about hardiness below.The more light it gets, the better. Unobstructed south- or southwest-facing windows make the best indoor locations. If you’re short on sunlight, supplement with extra lighting. Temperature: Indoor lemon trees grow best with nighttime temperatures around 65 degrees Fahrenheit, which suits most homes fine.Meyer lemon trees thrive in subtropical to temperate climates and can be grown in containers or in the ground in US Zones 9 – 11. If you live in a colder climate, you can grow them in containers and bring them indoors during the colder months.So place your indoor lemon tree in a very sunny spot with an average nightly temperature of about 65 degrees F (or 18 degrees C). Keep it away from air conditioning or heating ducts as extreme temperatures can stress your tree. An important part of indoor lemon tree care is root pruning.Cultivars such as ‘Improved Meyer’ and ‘Ponderosa’ lemons are suitable for containers; these trees don’t grow very large, so they’re perfect for an indoor space. They are also most likely to produce fruit indoors in winter. Other citrus will grow and flower but are less likely to produce fruit.
What is the lifespan of an indoor lemon tree?
The average lifespan of lemon trees is over 50 years. With proper care and disease prevention practices, a vigorous tree can live over 100 years. What makes a Meyer lemon so special? The citrus is actually a cross between a lemon and an orange, a thin-skinned fruit with fragrance and flavor unlike other lemons. Meyer lemons are sweeter, juicy and slightly floral, with less acidity and more personality than we generally expect from a lemon.Meyer lemon trees are small citrus trees with glossy leaves and white flowers that produce a yellow-orange fruit. They can grow up to 10-feet tall and live for 50 years.My Meyer grows lemons very slowly but steadily over ~8 or 9 months. They stay green until full size and then change to yellow, and can stay fresh on the tree about a month after they are ripe.Cultivars such as ‘Improved Meyer’ and ‘Ponderosa’ lemons are suitable for containers; these trees don’t grow very large, so they’re perfect for an indoor space. They are also most likely to produce fruit indoors in winter.The Meyer lemon has orange in its breeding background. As a result, the Meyer produces fruit different from the lemons you see in the supermarket (which are primarily Lisbon lemons). The fruit of Meyer lemons are rounder and slightly sweeter than store-bought lemons.
How do you care for a potted Meyer lemon tree?
Meyer lemon trees thrive in containers with the right care. Here’s how to keep your potted citrus tree healthy and productive: 🌞 Sunlight: Place in a warm, sunny spot with at least 6-8 hours of full sun daily. Watering: Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy – water when the top inch feels dry. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.First, ensure your tree receives ample sunlight, as lemon trees thrive in full sun. You also should protect it from strong winds and extremely cold temperatures, as they can hinder fruit production. Adequate watering, especially during dry spells and flowering, is also crucial to promote fruit set.Lemon trees thrive in bright, sunny locations and need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Make sure the area is well-drained, as lemon trees do not like to have their roots sitting in water. If your soil is too heavy or dense, consider planting your tree in a raised bed or container.Planting lemon plants directly in the greenhouse soil allows for larger tree growth. Ensure good drainage with raised beds or well-amended soil.
Do Meyer lemon trees need full sun?
Be sure your Meyer Lemon Tree gets no less than 6 hours of full sun. How often to water your Meyer Lemon Tree. Meyer Lemon Tree needs 0.Here are some care tips for growing Meyer lemon trees at home: Lemon trees require 6-8 hours of full sun daily. Plant your tree in well-draining soil so that the fragile roots do not stay wet for extended periods. Overwatering or overly saturated soil is the #1 cause of yellow and/or dropped leaves.There are a number of reasons why your lemon tree leaves could be turning yellow. The most common cause it a lack of magnesium in the soil. Epsom Salts helps correct magnesium deficiency, mix 30g of Epsom Salts per litre of water (approximately 2 tablespoons), per tree.Hi David, lemons indicate they have too little water by the leaves going yellow, then falling off the plant and starting to shrivel. The plants literally defoliate. Too much water triggers the plants to defoliate as well, however the leaves do not normally fade in colour and the tips of the stems will go black.What does an overwatered lemon tree look like? An overwatered lemon trees may have droopy, yellow leaves.
What is the best lemon tree to grow indoors?
A dwarf Meyer lemon tree is the perfect way to grow citrus indoors and not just in early spring, late spring or early summer. All year round! Meyer lemons are by far the easiest fruit tree to grow indoors. In containers, Meyer lemon trees grow 3 to 4 feet tall and are self-fertile, but they still need air movement or insects to distribute pollen. If kept indoors too long, fruit set may drop. Hand pollination is an option.Standard Meyer lemon trees grow to be 6–10 feet tall, while the dwarf variety grow to be 5–7 feet tall.
How often should I water a Meyer lemon tree?
Generally, Meyer Lemon Trees need water every one to two weeks. Leaves can be an indicator as to how your tree feels. If the leaves are drooping like they’re too heavy for the branches, the tree is getting too much water. If the leaves are crispy and dry or curl upwards, this is a sign of under-watering. Your coolest room, where temperatures range between 55 and 68 degrees, makes a perfect winter home for a Meyer lemon. Citrus trees don’t go dormant in winter, and although their growth will slow, they still need adequate light and humidity. Provide at least eight hours of bright light daily.First, ensure your Meyer Lemon Tree gets at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. You can do this by placing your tree by a large, sunny window- Southern-facing areas tend to get more light. And when your tree is potted and kept indoors, rotate it every three weeks.Meyer Lemon trees are evergreen and keep leaves through the winter. As I note above, if your plant is unhappy in the house, it might drop quite a few leaves. Meyer lemon plants tolerate more cold than many people realize (see below).Reduced Watering: In winter, your Meyer Lemon Tree will require less water. Let the top inch of soil dry out between watering. Overwatering can lead to root rot, especially in cooler temperatures, which is a key aspect of Meyer Lemon tree care.