How To Plant And Grow a Lemon Tree From Seed

We have listed the requirements in detail to plant the lemon tree from seed:

Soil

Being moisture-sensitive, lemon plants grow very well in fast-draining soils. A good sandy-soiled mixture contains at least some compost or other organically based matter, one that can provide nutrients for the tree and further enhance activity on the drainage side of things. 

The pH of the soil should range from 5.5 to 6.5, which is somewhat acidic, this being proper since lemon plants are also sensitive to pH. This mixture supports growth in the tree and maintains the strength of the roots.

Site Preparation

You should choose a location that gets full sunlight for your lemon tree and has at least eight hours of direct sun. Then, you should clear the area of rocks and weeds, and loosen the soil to 12-18 inches deep so the roots have room to spread.

If the soil is too heavy and doesn't drain freely, add more sand or compost. There should be some slope or a slight rise so water doesn't pool around the roots.

Plants

In about one month, your lemon-tree seedling will grow strong and locate a few real leaves. It is time to transplant. Choose a bed or a larger pot. Handle the roots without damaging them and move the seedling to the new location.

Water thoroughly after transplanting and locate the plant in a sunny area. Continue to water it regularly after transplanting to help it adjust and grow further; it will appreciate the occasional feeding as well.

Planting and Spacing

For planting a lemon tree you should start by digging a hole that is the same depth and twice as wide as the root ball. Then you can place the tree in the hole so that the top of the root ball on the tree is even with the surrounding dirt. You should fill it with soil, packing around the roots to avoid air pockets and give them enough water to settle.

In case you are planting numerous trees, you should ensure a spacing of at least 10 to 15 feet to provide room for them to grow and spread. This will avoid the risks of certain diseases while promoting healthy growth through adequate sunshine and ventilation to each tree.

Mulch

Black plastic mulch helps raise the temperature of the soil, keeps it moist, and prevents the growth of weeds around lemon trees. It is also likely to encourage faster growth and allow one to start planting earlier. 

You should spread the plastic, peeling the edges down with some soil, and make holes for lemon seeds or seedlings in it after adding compost or fertilizer into the soil.

To plant the lemon tree from seed, firstly, you need to take fresh seeds from a newly sliced lemon and grow a lemon tree. Fresh seeds are more likely to sprout compared to the dried ones.

You should wash the freshly removed seeds to get rid of any pulp or juice to prevent molding, which often may cause the seeds to stop sprouting. Once clean and dry, you can prepare them to plant in the soil, giving them the best possible start in life.

After sowing, the lemon seeds require a warm and moist condition to germinate. You can accomplish this by placing the pot on a windowsill or in a sunny place with the soil slightly damp and watered lightly on top when it has dried.

You should wrap the pot with plastic wrap that might help even further. Doing this will allow your plant to trap moisture and heat, ensuring proper germination.

It takes time to grow a lemon tree from seed, so you need to have patience during the entire process. The seeds may take several weeks to sprout, and the young plant's growth into a small tree may take even longer.

You need to make sure that the plant receives plenty of light and moisture during this period. You should also recall that patience is essential because it may take years for your lemon tree to begin bearing fruit.

If you live in a colder area, you should start growing your lemon seeds indoors. Indoor environments are warm and more consistent in temperature for lemon seedlings. You need to place the pot in a location where it will get plenty of light, keeping it directly in the window. 

You can move the seedling gradually outdoors as it grows and the weather warms. You should start doing this in a shaded area and gradually increase the amount of sunlight to which it is exposed to adjust the plant accordingly.

You need to be super careful not to overwater your lemon seedlings. While they do need some water to grow, too much is going to cause root rot and other issues. 

When the top inch of the soil has dried out, you should water it, making sure that the pot is well-draining so the water doesn't sit at the bottom. It's better to water on the side of caution and less often, allowing the soil to become somewhat dry rather than risking the consequences of overwatering.

When it is the right time to transplant your lemon seedling outside, you are going to need to have your planting spot ready. Since lemon trees die from standing water, you are going to plant your lemon tree in full sun in a well-drained spot.

You should dig a hole only about an inch deeper or wider than your transplant pot and deep enough to hold your root ball. Incorporate compost or other organic matter into the soil for added fertility and give your lemon tree a head start.

Your lemon seedlings have to be hardened off before putting them out of doors. This means you need to expose the seedlings gradually to the outdoor environments. You can begin this by placing for a few hours during the day in a shady, protected space in your garden.

You can gradually extend the time spent outdoors, as they should be exposed to the sun more and more each day. With this process taking about a week more or less, seedlings get used to the outdoor environment so as not to be shocked by sudden changes in either light or temperature.

Now, you should take your lemon seedlings outdoors to their permanent location after they are hardened off. You should dig a hole at least as wide as the plant will be, but also deep enough to let the roots sit comfortably. You should gently spread the seedling's roots in the hole, then cover it with soil.

You should press the soil gently around the base of the plant to remove any air pockets. After planting, give plenty of water to help the roots of the seedlings take up smooth growth in their new environment.

You should water your newly planted lemon seedling well to help it develop a strong root system. The soil should always be moist, yet not soggy. After watering your tree, mound some mulch like wood chips or straw around the base of the tree.

Mulch helps retain moisture, regulates temperature extremes in the soil, and prevents weed growth. You should just be sure to keep the mulch a few inches away from the stem to avoid rot.

Your lemon tree might start flowering right from its growing season. You should remove the first few flowers that come on the plant to help it focus its energy on strong root and leaf development rather than fruiting.

Ultimately, it will result in much healthier growth with better fruiting since the tree is made to form a proper base before it starts fruiting lemons.

You should make sure to fertilize your lemon tree regularly to induce growth and keep the tree healthy. You should use a citrus or balanced fertilizer containing the basic nutrients in a suitable proportion, such as potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen.

Generally, fertilizers should be applied every few months following the instructions on the label. After fertilization, you need to water the tree thoroughly. This will provide your lemon tree with all the nutrition it requires to grow healthily and eventually bear fruit.

You should start by being aware of how much water your lemon tree should receive. You can check for soil often because a lemon tree requires constant moisture.

You should water your tree when the top inch of soil has dried but do not overwater as it can cause the roots to have problems. Depending on the season and the weather, you need to adjust your watering schedule to keep it constantly moist but not soaked.

For the lemon plant to grow healthily, you should provide adequate drainage for it to avoid root rot. You should ensure that the planting bed or pot has enough drainage holes and these holes will allow water to run freely out of the container.

If the area tends to hold water, or if you notice a small amount of it accumulates at the base after watering, you can add some sand or organic matter to improve drainage. This will ensure the general growth of the plant and keep the roots fit.

You should keep your lemon tree pruned at regular intervals for shaping and to promote strong and healthy growth. You can cut out dead or damaged branches to promote good aeration and thin out crowded areas.

Pruning the tree at regular intervals will keep it in good shape and free up most of the energy for fruit production instead of excessive foliage. You should always use clean, sharp tools when pruning to make clean cuts and so you do not spread disease around your tree.

Harvesting

You should harvest lemons only when they are ripe, bright yellow, and slightly firm when a very gentle squeeze pressure is applied. You need to be sure that when you pick lemons, it is done in such a way that no extra damage occurs to the tree.

You can either gently twist the lemon from the tree or use pruning shears to cut the lemon off the branch. Lemons do not ripen off the tree, so do not pick until the fruit is fully ripe, as the flavor will not be as good as it should be. 

You should make sure to pick them once they turned their full color and firmed up. After that, harvest your lemons and enjoy them!

Storing

You should store your lemons in a cool, dry location after picking them. At room temperature, you can store your lemons for approximately a week. In the crisper drawer of your refrigerator, they can be kept for several weeks.

In case excesses occur, they can as well be frozen, either by cutting them into wedges and freezing them in freezer bags, or squeezing the juice into ice cube trays. This also allows you to constantly have fresh lemon juice or wedges available easily.

Aphids

Aphids are tiny insects that suck on the juice of the leaves from lemon trees, rolling them or turning them yellow. A good, strong water spray can easily wash these insects off the plant.

You can also use neem oil or insecticidal soap or introduce ladybugs and other natural aphid eaters from the outdoors to prevent them from attacking your lemon plant. You should monitor the condition of your lemon tree and, if necessary, take action if you find any aphids on it.

Crickets

Although crickets may damage lemon trees at times by eating the leaves and causing injury, the first signs to check for would be those actions: gnawed leaves or droppings.

You can reduce their population by raking away any tall grass from around the tree that provides them with hiding places. If necessary, treat the tree with insecticidal soap or some kind of natural repellent.

Keeping your garden clean and having watchful eyes on it for the pests should help from things getting too messy with crickets.

Cucumber Beetle

Another potential pest that can do a lot of damage to your lemon trees by eating the leaves and stems is cucumber beetles. These small, flashy beetles weaken a plant, making it drooping or yellow.

You need to monitor for these beetles on your tree and remove them physically to help control the population. You can also kill them with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Keeping the surroundings of the tree clean and free of litter can also help reduce their populations.

Mites 

These very small pests known as mites, can create great damage to your lemon trees, making them have spots, discoloration, or webbing on the bottom of leaves, out of the leaf-sucking process. You should be sure to check for mite infestations regularly on your tree.

The affected areas can be treated by application of insecticidal soap or neem oil. Otherwise, mites can also be rinsed off with forceful water. Moreover, clean foliage and good air circulation around the tree will prevent mite infestations.

There are various types of lemons, that you can grow in your garden. Here are a few of them:

Eureka

The Eureka lemons are one of the most familiar types of lemons that you can find in most supermarkets. They have thick and bumpy skin, sometimes even a little rough to the touch. They are bright yellow and possess a strong, tangy flavor giving a variety of foods and drinks a tangy twist.

From there, Eureka lemons will never disappoint, whether in lemonade, adding that magic squeeze of juice to a recipe, or in some zest for baking. They are much-appreciated and versatile in most kitchens because of their bright flavor and availability.

Libson

Lisbon lemons are very common in most grocery stores, and have a slight appearance of the Eureka lemons. They have a bright and smooth texture in comparison to the Eureka lemons, which have rough and yellow skin.

Their tart flavor can be used for baking, cooking, and making lemonades. They are almost similarly sized and have few or no seeds, which are quite useful for recipe purposes. They are equally popularly used to add some zing to a variety of dishes and drinks due to their flavor and appearance.

Meyer

Unlike any other lemons, Meyers are sweeter and less acidic than other types of lemons. Their outer skin is usually smooth and very thin, orange-yellow. They are rounder and smaller.

The inside flesh also displays a slight sweetness and less tang. The Meyer lemons are just what you need for recipes that ask for a soft lemon taste like salad dressings, desserts, or mixed drinks. With their sweetness and sweet fragrance, they are an easy way to add a hint of citrus to recipes.

Ponderosa

Ponderosa lemons are large with thick, rough skin. Speaking of flavors, they may have a bolder taste compared to the remainder of the lemon family. Because of this, it is most commonly called upon for its zest versus its juice. 

The fruit runs pretty big and often even larger than normal lemons. Because of their size and strong flavor, ponderosa lemons make a striking addition to any citrus collection and are ideal for recipes that call for that bold lemon flavor.

Variegated Pink

One of the distinguished features of the pink lemon is that the flesh is pink inside the fruit, while the skin of the lemon is striped green and yellow. They have a softer and tastier taste compared to other types of lemons. Additionally, their pink color adds flair to any food and drinks.

This lemon also works well with recipes that require less acidity because they are not as sour as the common lemons. Because of their distinctive color and mild flavor, they are also a favorite for adding a dash of flair to culinary creations.