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How to Grow and Care for Meyer Lemon Tree

Lowe's Editorial Team

By Lowe's Editorial Team
Published December 5, 2024

Meyer lemon tree is a favorite among home gardeners because of their compact size and tasty fruit. These citrus trees thrive both indoors and outdoors, and the fruit is sweeter and more cold-tolerant than regular lemons. In this article, learn more about how to grow and care for a Meyer lemon tree.

Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

Choosing the Right Tree and Location

Choosing the right size according to place and time is important before you learn how to care for a Meyer lemon tree.

Seed or Graft

  • If you want to grow a Meyer lemon tree from scratch, starting with seeds is an option, but keep in mind that it can take a long time for the tree to grow and produce fruit.
  • If you want to see the fruits faster, go for a grafted tree. Even after grafting, the lemons usually take 1-2 years to fully grow and be ready for use. 

Location: Indoor or Outdoor

Meyer lemon trees can thrive indoors and outdoors with the right amount of care. If you live in a cold climate, it is best to plant them in a greenhouse or in a container that you can move around.

  • For indoor planting, the container or pot should be big enough to contain a fully-grown Meyer tree. Make sure the pot has holes for drainage.
  • If you plan on planting them outside, choose a location with good sunlight and acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. 

Planting and Caring

Planting a Meyer lemon tree from seed is simple, but grafted trees require more careful attention for successful Meyer lemon tree planting, as the roots can be damaged during planting.

Tip

Wear garden gloves while working with soil, as it contains different fertilizers, which can damage the skin and make it rough. Sometimes, insects can also come out of the soil.

Planting

  • Dig a hole deep using a hand trowel, wide and deep enough for the root ball to fit in completely.
  • Place the root ball inside entirely and cover it with soil and mulch to increase fertility.

Water and Light

  • Meyer lemon tree care starts with consistent watering. They prefer moist and well-drained soil, so keep watering them every week. Check if the top layer of soil is dry every few days; if it is, it needs water. Always ensure the soil drains well to avoid root rot.
  • Meyer lemon trees require approximately 8-12 hours of sunlight, so it is important to plant them in a sunny location. If you have a potted Meyer lemon tree inside, shift it in the sunlight for a few hours. 

Use Fertilizer

  • Meyer lemon fertilizer should be rich in citrus content, as they are rich in nutrients. So, make sure to choose a citrus-rich fertilizer. Use it every 6-8 weeks during spring and summer. Avoid fertilizing during the fall and winter when the tree is not in growth season.

Pruning

  • Start pruning your trees in late winter or early spring when the plants grow again. Remove branches or leaves that look dead or rotten. Most rotten are brown, but some leaves appear yellow. You can use your hand to pick out the leaves or a hand pruner.

Tip

Keep checking the pH of the soil from time to time. Make sure it is slightly acidic. Test and adjust the soil nutrients as needed.

Repotting

Sometimes, it needs repotting if the plant has grown bigger than the container.

  • Fill the new container with soil.
  • Grab the base of the lemon tree and gently remove it from its existing container. Brush excess soil off roots and remove clumps.
  • Plant it inside the new container and fill it with soil until the crown.
  • Water the plant often, as repotted trees require more frequent watering as they establish their roots. 

Pests and Diseases

Here is additional information for Meyer Lemon Tree care and protection from pests and diseases.

Protecting from Pests

Aphids, slugs, snails and spiders are common pests that affect Meyer trees and stunt their growth. They can easily be controlled by spraying or applying neem oil and organic slug repellents.

Protecting from Diseases

Fungal diseases like white powder and rot roots can develop in these flowers when air and water circulation are not properly maintained. To prevent these diseases from developing, fork the soil for air circulation and maintain a proper drainage system.

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