Meyer Lemon

Why grow a Meyer lemon tree?

A favorite of home gardeners and chefs, the improved Meyer lemon tree adapts well to growing in containers indoors or outdoors. In temperate climates it may be planted in the ground.

This is the perfect plant to accent your patio – with the bonus of fresh lemons! Enjoy attractive green leaves, beautiful white blossoms, and fragrant flowers, followed by fresh, floral citrus. These lemons are prized for baking delicious desserts and making fantastic cocktails. Homesteaders will enjoy preserving an abundance of fruit. These lovely citrus trees may bloom again while the fruit is still growing, allowing for continuous harvesting!

What is the fruit like?

Meyer lemons are mildly acidic and don’t have the same tang as regular lemons. Instead, they are much sweeter. Meyer lemons are a cross between a regular lemon (Eureka and Lisbon varieties) and a mandarin orange.

The skin of the fruit is thin, smooth, and ripens to the color of an egg yolk. The fruit is smaller and more round than regular lemons with dark yellow pulp. It is high in vitamin C, folate, and the antioxidant phytonutrients known as flavanones.

How do I grow this tree?

Grown in the ground, the trees can reach up to ten feet tall. In a garden pot, the tree’s height will be reduced by the size of the pot. Pruning helps keep the Meyer lemon tree more manageable with a fuller appearance. This is a self-pollinating variety, so outdoor trees will produce fruit by natural means. Indoor trees can be pollinated by hand using a small paintbrush.

These citrus trees require moist, but not wet, soil, and should be watered deeply, but not frequently. The soil pH should be moderately to slightly acidic. With regular fertilizing, you can have your first harvest within a couple of years! We recommend a high nitrogen fertilizer designed for citrus trees to be applied during the spring and summer months. The improved Meyer lemon tree is more disease resistant than previous varieties.

This citrus plant requires at least six hours of sunlight. In warmer climates, morning sun and afternoon shade are best for growing Meyer lemons. These trees are heat tolerant, but not cold-hardy, so if you live outside of the recommended growing zones, be sure to treat them as houseplants before freezing temperatures arrive by bringing the plants indoors. The plants begin bearing fruit in one to two years.

Meyer lemons are not commonly grown commercially, so you will not likely find them in your local grocery store. Buy a Meyer lemon tree and enjoy this beautiful plant and its delicious fruit!