If you want to get a taste of these sweet-tart fruits, you need to consider getting your very own Meyer lemon tree. Meyer lemon trees can yield fruit in just two years after planting them. Whether you choose to place one in your lawn or in your patio, your Meyer lemon tree can be both ornamental and a source of citrus sweetness. The first Meyer lemon trees were introduced from China in Unfortunately, this initial variety was very susceptible to disease, especially a fast-spreading virus that threatened the citrus industry in California in the s by infecting nearby healthy citrus trees.
Standard Meyer lemon trees grow to be feet tall, while the dwarf variety grow to be feet. If you grow your Meyer lemon tree in a garden pot, it will grow according to the size of the pot and be smaller.
Meyer lemon trees have glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant white blossoms that are purple at the base. Meyer lemon skins are fragrant and a popular ingredient among chefs. Hardiness Zones are the standards gardeners use to determine the best growing regions for their plants and crops. These are the steps to follow to plant your Meyer lemon tree in a pot.
The trees require soil with good drainage and do well in loamy and sandy loam soils. The soil can range between 5. You can amend your soil to reach the desired pH level, either adding sulfur to increase soil acidity or lime to lower overly acidic soil. Keep your tree well-protected from temperatures that dip below 20 degrees, and bring your tree inside when temperatures stay below 50 degrees at night.
Although Meyer lemons are typically able to handle cold weather better than other citrus plants, they will not fare well in freezing temperatures or consistently cold climates. You may want to grow your tree in a container for this reason, depending on where you live. Make sure you have well-drained soil to avoid root rot. Also, Meyer lemons tend to thrive in sandy-loam soil. Meyer lemon trees need to get at least six hours of sunlight per day. Of course, if it's convenience you crave, it's pretty hard to top Amazon's selection of Meyer lemon trees.
Take note that Amazon is actually a pretty decent place to browse for plants, as they partner with a lot of great nurseries from across the country. Not only can you consider a number of different Meyer lemon tree options, but Amazon is also a great place to stock up on basic lawn and garden tools. Why buy: For selection and convenience, Amazon is hard to beat. We like the options from Brighter Blooms or Citrus.
More and more big box home improvement stores have started carrying extensive indoor and outdoor plant selections. You can get a Meyer lemon tree at your local Home Depot , or simply by heading over to Home Depot's website. Why buy: Home Depot supplies high-quality plants as well as a generous selection of lawn and garden tools. You can also potentially pick up your tree in store the same day. Purchasing your new citrus tree is obviously the first step, but once it arrives, you'll need to know how to plant it.
If you're going to keep your Meyer lemon tree in a pot, enjoying it purely as an indoor plant, then you can disregard this section. But if you wish to transplant it to your lawn or garden, then you need to know a thing or two about hardiness zones. What are hardiness zones? Basically, these are classifications that farmers and other planters use to determine which regions of the country are best suited for cultivating specific types of plants.
Meyer lemon trees tend to thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones , which encompass the southern coastal regions as well as the deep southern half of the country. If you live further north, then you may want to reconsider just growing your Meyer lemon tree indoors.
Now, if you plan on cultivating your new citrus tree in a pot, there are a few specific tips and considerations you'll want to keep in mind.
Some tips for planting a Meyer lemon tree include:. Once the tree is planted, it is wise to follow a few additional steps to nurture it to guarantee healthy growth. Proper care not only extends the life of your Meyer lemon tree, but also ensures you get plenty of that sweet-tart fruit! The first thing you'll need to know about is the sunlight requirements for your Meyer lemon tree. Like most citrus plants, this one thrives when it gets ample exposure to direct sunlight. This means a good eight to 12 hours of full sun, whenever possible.
Hopefully, you can achieve this simply by positioning your plant somewhere beside a window facing south or southwest. If not, then you may want to consider indoor growing lights , which can offer the same photosynthetic effects as direct sunlight.
Another critical consideration is watering. Here, some delicacy is required, as citrus plants tend to thrive in water that's moist but not flat-out wet. Many Meyer lemon tree experts recommend watering deeply and infrequently.
Any time you find that the top two inches of soil are dry, that means it's time to add water. Also be aware that, like most citrus trees, this one fares best in humidity.
Mist it daily. Also consider adding a bit of water to the tray under your pot; this water will rise up and add some additional humidity. Meyer lemon trees prefer loamy soil with a pH around 6. Because citrus fruit will only continue to ripen while still on the tree, make sure to wait for your Meyer lemons to be ripe before picking. When ripe, Meyer lemons will be an egg yolk yellow color and slightly soft to the touch.
Use a knife or scissors to cut the fruit from the branch so you don't risk damaging the plant by pulling off a larger piece than intended. Meyer lemon trees—and citrus trees in general—are typical targets for a variety of pests , including whiteflies, rust mites, mealybugs, aphids, and scale. While established adult trees usually can withstand an infestation or two, smaller, more vulnerable trees can be decimated by any one of these issues.
Signs of pest issues will typically appear on the undersides of leaves or on the fruit. To control and eliminate pests issues, begin by pruning away any dead, unhealthy, or infected areas of the tree. Treat the plant by spraying it with horticultural oil, like neem oil , diluted significantly, reapplying frequently until all signs of infection have ceased.
Though not prized for its flowers, getting your Meyer lemon tree to bloom is still incredibly important, as that's how the tree produces fruit. Meyer lemon trees do not flower for the first few years of their life, so you can start keeping an eye out for blooms around the third or fourth year. The most essential component in a blooming Meyer lemon tree is abundant light—all citrus trees need a lot of light to bloom and simply will not do so without getting at least eight hours a day.
If you don't have one location in your lawn that gets that much light, consider potting your lemon tree versus planting it in the ground so you can move it around and "chase" the light throughout the day. If your Meyer lemon tree is getting plenty of light but still not blooming, it's time to look to your fertilizing schedule. Fertilize your tree once a month, but no more—trees that are fertilized too much have just as hard of a time blooming as ones that are not getting fed frequently enough.
Choose a fertilizer that is specifically formulated for citrus trees. Additionally, the temperature is fairly important when it comes to getting your Meyer lemon tree to bloom.
Your plant will need a brief period of cooler temperatures around 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter and early spring in order to be encouraged to bloom.
Meyer lemon trees are moderately easy to care for, although it will take a bit of effort and patience to ensure your plant blooms and produces fruit. Meyer lemons are actually a hybrid fruit, thought to be a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange; lemon trees are an original species.
If growing a Meyer lemon tree indoors, opt for your sunniest window or use grow lights to supplement the natural sunlight. Your tree should also be located somewhere very warm, away from any drafts or cold blasts of air. Extra humidity is a bonus if you have it as well. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content.
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