Lemon is one of the most popular citrus plants and can be successfully grown at home. With proper care, a lemon tree will not only become an attractive part of the interior, but will also reward you with fragrant fruit. Growing lemon requires patience, since the plant develops slowly, but if all conditions are met, it can bear fruit even in a pot. In this article, we will take a detailed look at how to grow lemon from a seed or a seedling, what conditions it needs, and how to achieve abundant flowering and fruiting.
Lemon can be grown in two main ways:
From seed — this is a longer process, since the plant will begin to bear fruit only after 7–10 years, and its fruit may differ from that of the parent tree. However, a lemon grown from seed will be more resilient and better adapted to indoor conditions.
From a seedling — this makes it possible to get fruit within 3–4 years, and even earlier if you choose a grafted plant.
To grow lemon from seed, you need to choose a ripe and fresh fruit. The seeds are removed, washed free of pulp, and planted in the soil immediately, since they lose viability once they dry out. They can also be soaked in warm water for a day to speed up germination.
If a seedling is used, it is important to pay attention to its health. The stem should be strong and free from damage, and the leaves should be bright green. It is best to choose plants with a well-developed root system.
Lemon prefers light, fertile, and well-drained soil. The optimal soil mix is:
50% turf or leafy soil,
30% humus or compost,
20% sand or coconut substrate.
A wide and deep pot with drainage holes is used for planting. A drainage layer of expanded clay or fine gravel is placed at the bottom to prevent water from stagnating.
The seeds are planted 1–1.5 cm deep, the soil is moistened, and the pot is covered with film to create a greenhouse effect. The pot is placed in a warm location with a temperature of 22–25°C. The first seedlings appear in 3–6 weeks.
The seedling is transplanted into a pot large enough for the root system to develop. After planting, the plant is watered, and for the first 2–3 weeks it should be protected from direct sunlight.
Lemon requires special attention to temperature, lighting, humidity, and watering.
Lemon needs bright, diffused light for at least 10–12 hours a day. It grows best on south-facing and southeast-facing windows. In winter, it is recommended to use grow lights.
The optimal temperature is 20–25°C in summer and 12–16°C in winter. It is important to avoid sudden temperature changes and drafts, since lemon is very sensitive to them.
Lemon prefers moderate watering. The soil should remain moist, but without stagnant water. The plant is watered:
in summer — 2–3 times a week,
in winter — once every 7–10 days.
The water should be warm and settled. Watering is done at the root, avoiding contact with the trunk.
To maintain air humidity at no less than 60%, the lemon should be sprayed periodically or a container of water should be placed nearby.
Lemon needs regular feeding. During the active growing season, fertilizer is applied once every 2 weeks, and in winter once a month.
In spring — nitrogen fertilizers are used to stimulate leaf growth.
In summer — potassium-phosphorus fertilizers are applied for bud and fruit formation.
In autumn — organic fertilizers such as humus or ash are used to strengthen the plant’s immunity.
Young lemon trees are repotted every year, while mature ones are repotted once every 2–3 years. The new pot should be 2–3 cm larger than the previous one. Repotting is carried out by transferring the plant carefully without damaging the root system.
To form a beautiful crown, lemon requires pruning:
In spring, weak and damaged branches are removed.
In summer, long shoots are shortened.
In autumn, sanitary pruning is carried out by removing old and dried branches.
Lemon begins to bloom in the third or fourth year after planting if it is grown from a seedling. The flowers are white and have a pleasant fragrance.
Pollination is necessary to obtain fruit. At home, a small brush can be used to transfer pollen from one flower to another.
The fruit develops over 6–9 months. When the peel becomes bright yellow and firm, the lemons can be cut.
Leaves turn yellow — iron or magnesium deficiency.
Solution: apply iron chelate or magnesium fertilizer.
Fruit drop — lack of nutrients or insufficient humidity.
Solution: feed the plant and increase air humidity.
Leaf curling — lack of moisture or dry air.
Solution: increase humidity and water more often.
Root rot — overwatering.
Solution: reduce watering and check drainage.
Growing lemon at home is an engaging process that requires patience and attentive care. With proper lighting, timely watering, feeding, and pruning, you can grow a beautiful and healthy tree that will delight you with its fragrant fruit.
