Lemon trees are pleasant-scented evergreen citrus fruits that produce yellow, tart fruits. Although these plants grow best outdoors, they can also be grown indoors if given a lot of care. By meeting the needs of your tree as it grows, you can help it adapt to the indoor environment. Before you know it, your lemon tree will be lush and ready for harvest!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Planting the Tree
Step 1. Choose Meyer lemon trees for indoor growing
The Meyer variety is the most suitable for growing indoors. It produces a lot of small to medium fruit and is easier for beginners to manage.
- Variegated red-fleshed lemons also grow well indoors and are suitable for those less experienced.
- Purchase a lemon tree that is at least 2-3 years old, as younger ones may not grow well indoors. Although you can grow lemon trees from seeds, they are less likely to adapt to indoor environments and will not produce at the level of their parent tree.
Step 2. Choose a deep plastic pot
Plastic pots are ideal for lemon trees, so you'll be able to move the plant as the seasons (and light sources) change. Look for a rather deep plastic pot to help the tree stay firm as it gets bigger and produces fruit.
- The depth of the pot determines how far the plant can grow. The minimum capacity you should consider is 60 liters.
- Choose a pot with drainage holes to prevent the plant from getting waterlogged.
Step 3. Find a saucer of the right size
Put some pebbles or gravel on the saucer and add some water before placing the pot on it. The saucer filled with water will help maintain some humidity around the tree.
You can cut a strip of mulch cloth and place it on the bottom of the pot to prevent dirt from seeping into the saucer. Replace the fabric when you transplant the tree, so you don't block the hole
Step 4. Purchase a slightly acidic soil
Lemon trees grow well in the peat moss mixture, because it is slightly acidic and well-draining. Buy it (or another mix of acidic, well-draining soil) at a nursery or garden center.
Cacti soil is also good for citrus trees
Step 5. Find a sunny place to grow the lemon tree
Lemon trees grow best when they get at least 8-12 hours of direct sunlight. Choose a spot near a window where your plant will receive direct sunlight throughout the day.
If your home isn't particularly bright, install a home grow light near the plant and leave it on for up to 12 hours a day
Step 6. Take the lemon tree out of its pot and spread its roots
Massage the roots with your fingers, gently separating them. This will help them develop faster and get more water and nutrients from the soil.
Pull the roots very carefully to avoid breaking or damaging them
Step 7. Fill the pot halfway with soil
Before planting the tree, add about half of the soil mixture to the pot and flatten it until it becomes uniform. This will encourage root growth and help the tree to remain upright when you place it in the pot.
Step 8. Place the lemon tree in the vase
Place it vertically inside the pot and fill the container with more soil. Press the earth around the base of the plant, making sure no root parts remain exposed.
- Plant the tree at the same level as the previous pot.
- Avoid covering the stem with earth - it can cause fungal infections.
Step 9. Water the tree immediately after transplanting it
Moistening the potting soil will help make it more welcoming to the plant as it adjusts to its new arrangement. Continue watering until the soil is moist, but not soggy or soggy.
Part 2 of 3: Caring for Lemon Trees
Step 1. Water the lemon tree every week
If it does not receive enough water, the natural salts that the lemon tree produces could accumulate in the soil. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged to prevent root rot.
- If you use particularly hard tap water, you may need to lower its pH before giving it to the tree. In this case, you can add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of white vinegar to every 4 liters of water.
- If you see the leaves curl, it means the plant needs more water.
Step 2. Circulate the air around the plant
To mimic outdoor conditions, open a door or window near the plant in warm weather. If the air is too cold, place an oscillating fan near the shaft to help air circulation.
Step 3. Fertilize the plant once every 3-6 weeks
Lemon trees grow well if they get a lot of nitrogen - you can find nitrogen-rich fertilizers at most plant stores. Fertilize the plant once every 3 weeks in spring and summer, once every 6 weeks in autumn and winter.
- An NPK 12-6-6 fertilizer is ideal for citrus trees.
- Do not use fertilizers containing alfalfa meal or cottonseed meal. Products containing these substances can cause fungal diseases.
Step 4. Perform a light pruning on the lemon tree
Cutting too many leaves will reduce the plant's yield, but occasional pruning can be helpful. Remove dead, broken and diseased branches; prune to keep the height and width of the tree under control based on the space around it.
Lemon trees can be pruned year-round if grown indoors
Step 5. Place a humidifier near the plant
Lemon trees grow naturally in humid climates. Placing a humidifier near the tree can prevent the air from becoming too dry. Set the humidifier to at least 50% power, to provide the plant with enough moisture in the air.
- Spraying the lemon tree several times a week or when it rains can restore the humidity levels.
- If you live in a particularly humid area you may be able to provide the plant with enough moisture by opening a door or window.
Step 6. Check the room temperature to ensure a good harvest
These trees live best in rooms with an average temperature of around 21 ° C during the day and 13 ° C at night. Temperatures below 13 ° C will not kill the tree, but will trigger the dormancy phase, compromising its growth.
Part 3 of 3: Collect the Lemons
Step 1. Pollinate the lemon tree with a brush
Since your tree will not have insects spreading pollen from it, you will need to manually pollinate the plant in order for it to grow fruit. Rub the brush against the plant's stamen and anthers, the pollen-covered buds visible around the center of the plant's flowers. Transfer the pollen to the pistil, the bulb located deep in the center of the flower.
- Repeat this process once a day to ensure pollination. Usually, it takes 6-9 months from pollination to harvesting the ripe fruit.
- Your lemon tree can produce fruit even if you don't pollinate it, but they will be larger if it is pollinated.
Step 2. Thin out the thickest clusters of lemons
Once a cluster of small lemons appears on the tree, remove two thirds to allow the remaining third to grow. Remove the extra lemons using a pair of pruning shears, carefully cutting the stem.
- Too many clusters of lemons can drain the tree's energy and stop fruit growth.
- Many trees will drop fruit on their own. Wait a few months before removing them yourself.
Step 3. Check fruit ripeness with your thumb
As the lemons grow, apply some thumb pressure to the peel. If the inside is soft and fluffy and not hard, the plant is ready for harvest.
- The fruit can be left on the tree a little longer without risking becoming overripe.
- Lemons usually stop growing once they are ready to be harvested. They should be a deep yellow color.
Step 4. Collect lemons from the tree using a pair of shears
Take the pruning shears and cut the stems of the fruit. If you don't have a pair of pruning shears, you can also carefully pry the lemons off the tree by hand.
Always act gently to avoid damaging the plant
Step 5. Store lemons for 1-2 months on the kitchen counter or in the refrigerator
After harvesting the lemons you can store them for 2-4 weeks on a shelf and up to 2 months in the refrigerator. Avoid cutting lemons until you are ready to use them, as once cut they only last 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
If you want to keep lemons longer, squeeze the juice and keep it in an airtight container for 4-6 months in the refrigerator or freezer
Step 6. If the plant stops producing lemons, prune the roots
Your lemon tree should always have its roots a little constrained to keep its size under control, but some potted plants will stop producing fruit if their roots are too compressed in the pot. Remove the tree from the container and use a sharp blade to poke 1 to 3 centimeters of the roots around the outside of the root ball.
- Keep the roots moist during this process by spraying them with a spray bottle.
- Repot the tree and prune about a third of its foliage to balance the loss of roots.
