How to plant and care for a lemon tree at home (even in an apartment!)

Not all lemon trees are the same! For small environments, choose a dwarf or grafted variety, such as:

• Dwarf Tahiti lemon
• Potted Sicilian lemon
• Horse Lemon - very aromatic and hardy

These versions are adapted for pots and don't grow as tall as traditional lemon trees.

1. Choosing a pot

• Ideal size: at least 15 inches/40 cm in diameter and deep.
• The pot should have holes in the bottom for the water to drain out.
• Use a small dish with pebbles or coarse sand so that it doesn't accumulate stagnant water (prevents mosquitoes).

2. Drainage layer

• Place stones, expanded clay or shards of tile at the bottom.
• Cover with a drainage blanket (or TNT).

3. Ideal substrate

Mix:

• 1 part vegetable soil
• 1 part organic compost
• 1 part sand or perlite (to ensure drainage)

4. Planting

• Plant a seedling bought from a nursery or a branch that has already taken root.
• Press the soil down lightly and water carefully.

• Lemon trees need direct sunlight for at least 4 to 6 hours a day.
• Sunny balconies, large windows or backyards are ideal.
• If the space gets little sun, supplement it with an LED grow light.

• Water whenever the soil is dry to a depth of 1.2 inches/3 cm (test with your finger).
• Avoid soaking - lemon trees don't like "wet feet".
• On hotter days, it may be necessary to water more than once a week.

To grow well and produce fruit, lemon trees need nutrients:

• Every 40 days: use organic fertilizer focused on fruit trees (or NPK 10-10-10).
• Include crushed eggshells or bone meal for calcium.
• Dried coffee grounds can be mixed into the substrate from time to time.

• Prune dry or diseased branches with clean pruning shears.
• When young, direct growth by removing branches that are too lateral.
• Always remove leaves or branches that touch the ground.

Keep an eye out for:

• Aphids and mealybugs: remove with absorbent cotton and diluted neutral soap.
• Ants: can be a sign of aphids. Use natural barriers or cinnamon powder on the soil.
• Yellowing leaves: may indicate a lack of sun or excess water.

• A grafted lemon tree can start producing in 1 to 2 years.
• The first fruits are usually few, but they already signal a healthy crop.
• Harvest the lemons when they are firm and vibrantly colored.

You can grow lemons from seeds, yes - but the process is longer and the plant doesn't always bear fruit well. If you want to guarantee success, start with a grafted seedling.