How To Grow And Care For Meyer Lemon Trees

Fact checked by Khara Scheppmann

The fruit of the Meyer lemon tree (Citrus × meyeri) is rounder than regular lemons and is only moderately seedy. The rind is thin and soft, with a color that ranges from yellowish-orange to orange. The fruit, a hybrid between a lemon and a sweet orange, has a more floral than acidic taste. Meyer lemons were discovered by plant explorer Frank N. Meyer in China in 1908.

In areas with mild winters (USDA Zones 8-11), Meyer lemon trees can be planted in the landscape; the best time for planting them outdoors is in the early spring. In cooler climates, they grow well in large containers and can be planted at any time of the year. Meyer lemon trees are considered fast-growing, adding 12 to 14 inches per year. Their natural shrub-like growth makes pruning and maintaining the plant easier than other fruit trees. Warmer climates will produce better results, including year-round produce. Lemon peel as well as the leaves, branches, and bark of Meyer lemon trees are toxic to pets.

Here is what you need to know about the care of Meyer lemon trees.

Plant Attributes

Meyer Lemon Tree Care

Meyer lemon trees thrive in sunshine, warmth, and well-drained, slightly acidic soil. They are more cold-tolerant than lemon trees but will not survive a frost. In the Coastal and Tropical South, Meyer lemon trees can be used to create large hedges or planted in ornamental and edible gardens.

Meyer lemon trees also are suitable to be grown in pots with well-draining potting mix. In fact, at the lower end of its zone range (USDA Zone 8b or 9a), container growing is recommended because it allows you to move the tree indoors for the winter.

Meyer lemon trees are self-pollinating so you only need one fruit to produce fruit. Outdoors, the tree is pollinated by insects. To produce fruit indoors, the flowers need to be hand-pollinated.

The tree responds well to pruning, which improves airflow and keeps the tree at a smaller size.

Light

Meyer lemon trees should be planted in full sun where they receive at least six or more hours daily. The trees survive in partial sunlight, but the bloom and fruit production are improved in more direct sunlight.

Indoors, select a spot near a south-facing window where the tree gets maximum direct sunlight for at least six hours daily.

Soil

Loamy, sandy soils are best but Meyer lemon trees adapt to most soil types. The soil should be moist but not soggy; excellent drainage is critical for growing Meyer lemon trees. Acidic soil is preferable. If you are unsure if your soil meets the pH requirements, do a soil test.

Water

Water consistently to keep the soil slightly moist but not wet. Only water when the top few inches are dry. Use a soil moisture meter to determine whether your plant needs watering.

Ensure containers have proper drainage and never leave your container in a saucer of standing water.

Temperature And Humidity

Meyer lemon trees survive temperatures as low as 20°F though only for a short period; that's why in areas with stretches of freezing temperatures (which may occur in the lower end of its hardiness range, zone 8), they are best grown in containers. The ideal temperature range for Meyer lemons is between 50°F and 80°F. The tree thrives in humid environments.

Indoors, the tree does best with a relative humidity of 50% to 60%. Use a humidifier if the air in your home is too dry.

Fertilizer

Meyer lemon needs fertilizer during their active growing season (early spring through late summer). Use a special citrus tree fertilizer or a granular or slow-release fertilizer high in nitrogen three times, one application every three months: early spring, early summer, and late summer.

Types Of Lemon Trees

If you are thinking of planting a lemon tree, here are other lemon trees for Southern gardens:

• Lisbon lemon: This commonly grown lemon tree produces juicy, acidic lemons with very few seeds several times a year. It is a vigorous heat-tolerant grower suitable for Zone 9-11.

• Eureka Pink lemon: The fruits of this lemon tree are variegated yellow and light green lemon and the flesh is pink.

• Ponderosa lemon (Citrus × piriformis): This lemon-pomelo hybrid tree produces large lemons with a bumpy rind.
  

Pruning

There are two types of pruning: pruning for shape and pruning for better fruit production. Cosmetic pruning helps maintain the tree's shape but does not impact fruit production.

Only prune trees that are at least 3 to 4 feet tall. The best time to prune for shape is in late winter or early spring, right after the main harvest. Start by removing dead or dying branches near the tree's base. Next, eliminate branches that are not strong enough to support bearing fruit. This improves the airflow within the tree.

To produce a larger and healthier fruit, thin large fruit clusters when the Meyer lemons are pea-sized. This helps the tree produce fewer but larger lemons.

Propagating Meyer Lemon Trees

Unlike other citrus trees, which are usually grafted, Meyer lemon trees are mostly propagated from cuttings. Growing a Meyer lemon tree from seeds is not a viable propagation method.

The best time to start the propagation process is late spring or early summer. Follow these steps:

1. Take 3- to 6-inch hardwood cuttings from branches with no fruit or flowers, using a sharp knife or pruning shears.

2. Remove any foliage at the bottom, leaving only two to four leaves near the top.

3. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder to stimulate new growth and protect the new tree from fungi or disease.

4. Fill a container or pot with well-draining potting soil. Water the soil and allow it to drain, so it is moist.

5. Plant cuttings in potting soil and gently pack the soil around the cut end.

6. Use a clear plastic bag or humidity dome to enclose the entire hardwood cuttings and pot, which increases the humidity. Place the container in indirect sunlight. Keep the soil moist.

7. In about two months, the cutting will start to grow new roots. Gently tug on the cutting to feel for resistance.

8. Repot the cuttings into a larger container or outdoors after the final spring frost.

Potting And Repotting Meyer Lemon Trees

Meyer lemon trees occasionally need repotting if they outgrow their current container. Always select a pot with plenty of drainage holes and large enough in diameter to comfortably contain the roots.

1. Fill the new container with fresh potting soil.

2. Grab the base of the tree and gently remove it from its old container. Brush excess soil off roots and remove clumps.

3. Place the tree in the new container. Continue filling the container with potting soil and gently pack it around the root ball. When you're done, the tree's crown should be visible.

4. Water the plant and keep the soil moist. After transplanting, trees require more frequent watering until they have overcome transplant shock and their roots are established in the new soil.

Overwintering

Once temperatures drop below 50°F, bring your tree inside to a sunny window. Keep it away from heating vents, which dries out the leaves. Keep the plant in an area where temperatures remain between 55°F and 70°F. Don't place plants near heating vents, as it will dry out the trees. Use a humidifier to increase indoor humidity.

Tree growth slows down during the winter so adjust the watering accordingly.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Meyer lemon trees are relatively pest-free and disease-resistant. If pests, such as aphids, whiteflies, rust mites, mealybugs, or scale occur, use an organic horticultural oil such as neem oil.

Apply copper-based fungicides on the foliage before and after the summer season to fungal diseases.

Common Problems With Meyer Lemon Trees

The majority of Meyer lemon trees were killed off by a virus in the 1960s. This was a threat to the entire citrus industry. Once a specific stock was rescued that proved to be virus-free, a new version of the tree emerged. It is referred to as the “Improved Meyer Lemon” tree, a name that you might still find on a plant label.

Even though Meyer lemon trees are typically easy to care for, these citrus trees still experience some problems that need addressing. Here are a few things to look for:

Leaves Turning Yellow

Overwatering is the main reason the foliage will turn yellow. Consistently oversaturating the roots leads to root rot and an imbalance in soil nutrients necessary for the tree to thrive. Use your fingers to feel the top inches of soil to know when to water. If it is dry, then the plant needs more water, but make sure it drains entirely.

Drooping Leaves

Drooping leaves can indicate the presence of Armillaria root rot, a fungal infection that will destroy plants if not treated. Branches might die back, and the foliage might become yellow in addition to leaf droop. If the disease is in its early stages, treat it by removing sections of the rootball containing the "mushroom-like" clusters near the tree's base. Do not replace the infected roots with soil. If the disease is widespread, you may need to remove the entire tree and start a new tree in a new location.

Frequently asked Questions

How long does it take for a Meyer lemon tree to bear fruit?

It takes a tree at least four years to bear fruit.

What is the difference between a regular lemon and a Meyer lemon?

Meyer lemon is a naturally ocurring hybrid (cross) between a lemon and an orange. Because of that, its , fruit is much less acidic than lemons and the rind is more orange than yellow.

Are Meyer lemons everbearing?

If you planted the tree outdoors, there is a good chance it will produce fruit year-round though the heaviest fruit production happens in the winter.

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