The Secret to Growing a Lemon Tree Indoors
I use lemons in practically every meal, whether it is to add a touch of tang to a main dish or even added to my bubbly water, we love lemons in our household!
In the past we bought enough of these lovelies that I wanted to grow my own, but living in Canada this is not possible outdoors with our cold winters of course! So after some research and time, I began the process of growing my own!
I wanted to share with you my experience in growing my own lemon tree:
Just a little more about the process – lemon trees bring a bit of freshness and color into any room because they have beautiful leaves and fruits that are full of flavor and vitamins. It might seem hard to grow a lemon tree inside, but if you know what you’re doing and give it the right care, you can make your home a healthy fruit paradise. This complete guide will show you the whole process, from choosing the right type to picking your first juicy lemons. It comes with beautiful pictures to get you excited about indoor growing.
Choosing the Right Lemon Variety
Picking the right type of lemon tree is the first thing you need to do to grow one indoors. Thanks to their small size and ability to live in containers, dwarf lemon trees do especially well when grown indoors. Meyer, Eureka, and Lisbon are some of the most popular types of dwarf lemons. Think about things like fruit size, flavor, and how it grows to find the type that fits your needs and the available room the best.
Getting Started: Germinating Lemon Seeds
If you like challenges and want to see a lemon tree grow from seed to fruit, sprouting seeds is a fun way to do it. First, get fresh lemon seeds from fruits that are already ripe. Rinse the seeds to get rid of any pulp, then let them dry in the open air for one or two days. Next, put the seeds in potting mix that drains well and make sure they are buried about half an inch deep. To help seeds germinate, keep the dirt consistently moist and give them plenty of warmth and sunshine. The seeds might not grow for a few weeks, so be patient and keep the area warm and moist.
The other option is to buy young lemon tree seeds from farms or online to skip the germination stage and go straight to the growing stage.
Potting and Soil Requirements
Pick a big, strong pot with lots of drainage holes so that the roots of your lemon tree can fit. For the best drainage, choose planting mix that is made just for citrus plants or make your own by mixing equal parts potting soil, perlite, and loose sand. Put the potting mix into the pot, making sure there is enough room for the seedling or twig to fit at the same depth as when it was buried.
Lighting and Temperature
Because lemon trees do best in bright, indirect sunlight, a south-facing window is the best place for them to be for at least six to eight hours a day. If there isn’t a lot of natural light, artificial lighting like electric grow lights can help. Normal daytime temperatures of 60°F to 70°F (15°C to 21°C) and slightly cooler nights help plants grow and flower. The best conditions for your indoor lemon tree are good lighting and temperature control, which will allow the leaves to grow lushly and produce lots of fruit.
Watering and Humidity
Watering your home lemon tree the right way is very important for its health. Wait until the top inch of dirt is dry before you water it deeply until all the water is gone. Too much water can cause root rot, so make sure the soil drains well. Keep an eye on the humidity in your home, especially during the dry winter months. To add more moisture, put a humidifier or a tray of water with pebbles nearby. Regular watering and controlling the temperature make the perfect conditions for the roots of your lemon tree to grow. This careful attention to watering details helps keep your indoor lemon plant healthy and avoids problems related to water.
Fertilizing and Nutrient Management
During the growth season (spring and summer), feed your lemon tree a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer made just for citrus plants. Pay attention not to over-fertilize, which can lead to nutrient issues and leaf burn. Instead, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for how much to use and how often. If you see signs of a lack of vitamins, like yellowing leaves or slow growth, you might want to add extra iron and zinc. Some natural fertilizations you can use with your lemon tree are things like banana peels, eggshells, grass clippngs and coffee grounds!
Pruning and Training
To shape your lemon tree, keep it from getting too big, and let air and light reach through the top, you need to prune it regularly. Clean, sharp trimming tools should be used to cut off any dead, damaged, or overcrowded branches. Clean cuts should be made just above a leaf node or lateral branch junction. You can train your lemon tree to have a certain shape, like a single root or a bushy shape, by trimming and pinching new growth as needed.
Pest and Disease Management
Regularly check your lemon tree for signs of pests like aphids, scale insects, or spider mites, which can also attack plants inside. Use natural or organic ways to get rid of pests right away, like insecticidal soap, neem oil, or helpful insects that eat other pests. Clean up around the plant’s base by picking up leaves and other waste that has dropped off. This will help keep fungal diseases like powdery mildew and citrus canker from growing.
Pollination and Fruit Development
If bees or other natural pollinators aren’t around, you may have to pollinate indoor lemon trees by hand to make sure they set fruit. To move pollen from one open flower to another, gently brush a small, soft paintbrush or cotton swab against them, like a bug buzzing. Be patient, because it could take a few months for the flowers to turn into fully-grown fruits. As they reach full growth, the fruits will turn yellow from green.
The wait will be well worth it when your indoor lemon tree starts to bear fruit. To get ripe lemons off the plant, gently twist them off or cut them off with sharp pruning shears. Lemons that have just been picked can be kept at room temperature for up to a week, or they can be put in the fridge to stay fresh longer. Enjoy the benefits of your work by adding lemons from your own yard to your food, drinks, or homemade cleaning products to give them more zest and flavor.
Growing a lemon tree inside is a fun and rewarding project that lets you enjoy the beauty and bounty of citrus all year long, without leaving your house. By following the steps in this guide and giving your tree proper care and attention, you can grow a healthy lemon tree that will not only look great inside but also give you plenty of tasty, healthy fruits for years to come.
Start your journey to citrus success one lemon at a time and enjoy the pleasures of home growing.
Have you had your own experience growing a lemon tree indoors? Please share what your own results have been? Was it worth the wait? Let us know!
