Learning how to grow a lemon tree from seed is surprisingly rewarding and easy.
While lemon trees tend to flourish outdoors year-round in hot, sunny regions, they can also be grown indoors as edible houseplants in cold-season climates.
Let’s get started!
To grow your own lemon tree, you will need to obtain the following:
- An organic lemon since non-organic lemons often contain non-germinating seeds
- Fertile potting soil, preferably containing peat, vermiculite, perlite, and natural fertilizers
- A planting pot that is six inches wide and six inches deep (will be used for sprouting)
- A seedling pot that is about 24 inches wide by 12 inches deep
- A sunny, indoor growing location and possibly a grow light
Follow these steps to grow your own lemon tree:
- Moisten the potting soil so that it is damp, but not soaked, all the way through.
- Fill the smaller pot with soil, all the way up to an inch below the rim.
- Cut open your lemon and remove a seed. Remove all of the pulp from its surface. A good way to do this is to simply suck on it until it is clean.
- Do not delay to plant. The seed must still be moist when it is buried into the soil. Plant the seed about half an inch deep in the middle of the pot.
- Spray the soil that is directly above the seed gently with water from a spray bottle.
- Cover the pot with clear plastic wrap, seal the edges with a good rubber band, and poke small holes in the top with a pencil.
- Place the pot in a warm, sunny location.
- Spray on more water occasionally, not allowing the soil to dry out. Do not cause water to puddle though. Just keep the soil somewhat moist.
- After about two weeks, when the sproutling emerges, take the plastic covering off. If you need additional light for your lemon plant, you can use a grow light to supplement the sun’s light.
- Take care of the young plant by keeping the soil damp, by making sure it gets at least eight full hours of light per day, and by giving it moderate doses of organic fertilizer.
- Watch over your plant to ensure it is not attacked by bugs or diseases. Prune off brown, dead leaves when necessary. Use pesticides if you must. Protect your new lemon tree!
- When the plant outgrows its small pot, put it in the larger pot. You will go through much the same procedure when you re-plant it as when you first planted. Younger plants need more water than older plants, but they all do need adequate water. Don’t starve your poor plant after all that work of growing it!
How to Successfully Grow a Lemon Tree From Seed
If you follow these instructions, you will eventually end up with your own lemon producing tree.
And although you could always buy a lemon at the market, the educational experience of growing your own lemons will be well worth it.
You will also be able to enjoy fresh-off-the-tree lemons at your pleasure, and you will have grown an excellent addition to your home decor.