Lemon tree
Citrus limon
An evergreen small tree or spreading shrub featuring glossy, dark green, oval-shaped alternate leaves with slightly crenate margins, prominent venation, and occasional small thorns along the stems.
- Light
- Full sun, requiring 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and development.
- Water
- Water deeply and regularly, allowing the top 2 to 3 inches of soil to dry out between watering sessions. Reduce watering frequency slightly during the winter months.
- Growth
- Perennial evergreen tree with a rounded or spreading growth form, typically reaching mature heights of 10 to 20 feet when planted in the ground, though container-grown specimens remain significantly smaller. Growth rate is moderate.
Care instructions
Provide full sun exposure for at least six to eight hours daily. Water thoroughly when the top few inches of soil become dry, ensuring excellent drainage to prevent root moisture saturation. Apply a balanced, nutrient-rich fertilizer formulated for citrus during the active growing season in spring and summer.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, requiring 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and development.
Watering
Water deeply and regularly, allowing the top 2 to 3 inches of soil to dry out between watering sessions. Reduce watering frequency slightly during the winter months.
Soil
Well-draining sandy loam or loamy potting mix with a slightly acidic pH range of 6.0 to 6.8.
Hardiness zone
USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11, requiring frost protection if grown in cooler climates.
Growth habit
Perennial evergreen tree with a rounded or spreading growth form, typically reaching mature heights of 10 to 20 feet when planted in the ground, though container-grown specimens remain significantly smaller. Growth rate is moderate.
Bloom season
Spring through summer, producing fragrant white flowers with five petals, often accompanied by sporadic flowering throughout the year under favorable indoor or greenhouse conditions.
Propagation
Propagated via semi-hardwood stem cuttings or by grafting desirable scion varieties onto established rootstocks in the spring.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to common sap-sucking pests such as aphids, scale insects, and spider mites. Prevent issues by ensuring good air circulation and inspecting foliage regularly. Overwatering can lead to root rot conditions.
Similar species
Lime tree (Citrus aurantiifolia) and Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis), which can be distinguished by subtle differences in leaf shape, winging on the petioles, aroma, and thorn characteristics.