How to Grow a Lemon Tree from Seed: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Lemon trees are not only a source of fragrant blossoms and vibrant, tart fruits, but they also offer an attractive addition to any garden or indoor space. Growing a lemon tree from seed can be a rewarding project that teaches patience and dedication while providing you with the joy of nurturing a plant from its earliest stages.

While growing a lemon tree from seed may not produce fruit as quickly as other methods, the process is exciting and allows you to develop a deep connection with your plant.

List of How to Grow a Lemon Tree from Seed

• Choosing the Right Lemon
• Extracting and Preparing the Seeds
• Pre-Germination Process
• Planting the Germinated Seeds
• Positioning and Light
• Watering and Care
• Transplanting Your Seedling
• Fertilizing Your Lemon Tree
• Pruning and Shaping
• Patience and Long-Term Care

Choosing the Right Lemon

Before you begin, it’s important to select a fresh, organic lemon. Organic lemons are preferable because non-organic lemons are often treated with chemicals that can prevent seeds from sprouting. While any type of lemon can be used, varieties such as Eureka or Meyer lemons are popular choices for home gardeners.

Tip: When selecting your lemon, look for one that is fully ripe. A ripe lemon will have larger, more viable seeds that are more likely to germinate.

Extracting and Preparing the Seeds

Once you’ve chosen a lemon, it’s time to extract the seeds. Follow these steps:

• Cut the Lemon: Slice the lemon open carefully. Use a sharp knife to make clean cuts to avoid damaging the seeds.
• Extract the Seeds: Gently remove several seeds. Since not all seeds will germinate, it’s a good idea to take more than one to increase your chances of success.
• Rinse the Seeds: Rinse the seeds thoroughly under cool water to remove any residual pulp. Any remaining pulp can cause mold to grow during the germination process.
• Remove the Seed Coating (Optional): Some gardeners recommend peeling off the outer coating of the seed, known as the seed coat. This can help speed up the germination process, but it’s not strictly necessary. If you choose to do this, be careful not to damage the seed inside.

Pre-Germination Process

Before planting the seeds in soil, it’s helpful to pre-germinate them. This process encourages the seeds to sprout before they’re introduced to the growing medium. Here’s how:

• Dampen a Paper Towel: Take a clean paper towel and dampen it with water. It should be moist but not soaked.
• Place the Seeds in the Paper Towel: Lay the lemon seeds on the damp paper towel, leaving space between them.
• Seal in a Plastic Bag: Place the paper towel with the seeds into a plastic zip-lock bag. Seal the bag to maintain humidity.
• Store in a Warm Place: Put the bag in a warm, dark place, such as a cupboard or on top of a refrigerator. Check the seeds every few days to make sure the paper towel remains moist. In about 1 to 2 weeks, you should notice small roots emerging from the seeds.

Planting the Germinated Seeds

Once your seeds have sprouted, they’re ready to be planted in soil. Follow these steps to ensure proper planting:

Positioning and Light

Lemon trees love sunlight. Once you’ve planted your seeds, place the pot in a warm, sunny location. A windowsill that receives plenty of direct sunlight is ideal. Seedlings need at least 8 hours of light each day to thrive. If you don’t have a sunny spot, consider using grow lights to supplement the natural light.

As the seedlings grow, rotate the pot occasionally to ensure all sides of the plant receive equal exposure to light, which will help the plant grow straight and strong.

Watering and Care

While your seedling is still young, it’s important to maintain the right balance of moisture. Lemon trees like moist soil, but they do not tolerate being waterlogged. Here are some tips for watering your lemon seedling:

• Watering Schedule: Water the soil when the top inch feels dry. Be sure to water thoroughly so that moisture reaches the roots, but avoid letting the soil become soggy.
• Drainage: Make sure the pot drains well, and never let your plant sit in standing water.
• Humidity: Lemon trees thrive in slightly humid conditions. If you live in a dry climate, consider placing a small humidifier near your plant or misting the leaves occasionally.

Transplanting Your Seedling

After a few weeks, your lemon seedling should have grown a few inches tall and developed its first set of true leaves (the second set of leaves to appear after the initial “seed leaves”). At this point, it may be ready for transplanting into a larger pot. Here’s how to do it:

• Choosing the Pot: Select a pot that’s about 6–8 inches in diameter with good drainage.
• Transplanting: Gently remove the seedling from its original pot, being careful not to damage the roots. Plant it in the new pot at the same depth it was in the original container.
• Soil Choice: Use a well-draining potting mix, as lemon trees are susceptible to root rot if their roots sit in water.
• Watering After Transplanting: Water thoroughly after transplanting, and then resume your regular watering schedule once the soil starts to dry out.

Fertilizing Your Lemon Tree

As your lemon tree continues to grow, it will need nutrients to stay healthy. Here’s how to feed your tree:

• Citrus Fertilizer: Use a balanced fertilizer specifically designed for citrus trees. These fertilizers contain the nutrients that lemon trees need, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as micronutrients like magnesium and iron.
• Fertilizing Schedule: Fertilize your tree every 6 weeks during the growing season (spring through summer). During the winter, reduce the frequency to once every 2–3 months, as lemon trees grow more slowly in cooler months.

Pruning and Shaping

Pruning is an important part of caring for your lemon tree. Regular pruning helps the tree maintain a healthy shape and encourages new growth. Here’s how to prune your tree:

• When to Prune: Wait until your tree has developed a few sets of true leaves before you start pruning. You can begin pruning once it’s about 1 foot tall.
• How to Prune: Use sharp pruning shears to trim away any dead or damaged branches, as well as any branches that cross or rub against each other. Remove suckers (small shoots that grow at the base of the tree) to encourage upward growth.
• Shaping Your Tree: As your tree grows, continue pruning to shape it into a balanced form. This will help it grow stronger and produce more fruit in the future.

Patience and Long-Term Care

Growing a lemon tree from seed is a slow process, and it can take several years before your tree is mature enough to produce fruit. Most lemon trees grown from seed will take anywhere from 5 to 15 years to bear lemons, and there’s no guarantee that the fruit will be identical to the parent tree. However, with proper care and patience, your tree will grow into a beautiful, fragrant addition to your home or garden.

Conclusion

Growing a lemon tree from seed is a rewarding, long-term project that requires patience and dedication. By following the steps outlined above selecting the right lemon, pre-germinating the seeds, planting them in well-draining soil, and providing plenty of sunlight and water you can enjoy watching your tree grow from a tiny seedling into a full-sized tree.

Though it may take years for your lemon tree to produce fruit, the joy of nurturing a tree from seed is worth the wait. And even if your tree doesn’t bear fruit, you’ll still have a beautiful, fragrant plant to enjoy for many years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• How long does it take for a lemon tree grown from seed to produce fruit?
  Lemon trees grown from seed can take anywhere from 5 to 15 years to produce fruit. However, some trees may not bear fruit at all, depending on growing conditions and whether the tree was propagated from a hybrid lemon variety.
• Can I grow a lemon tree indoors?
  Yes, lemon trees can be grown indoors as long as they receive plenty of sunlight, preferably 8 to 12 hours a day. Position your tree near a sunny window or use grow lights to ensure it thrives indoors.
• Do I need to dry the lemon seeds before planting them?
  It is not necessary to dry the seeds before planting. In fact, planting fresh seeds immediately after extracting them from the lemon may increase the chances of successful germination.
• How often should I water my lemon seedling?
  Lemon seedlings prefer consistently moist but not waterlogged soil. Water the seedling when the top inch of soil feels dry, but ensure the pot has good drainage to avoid root rot.
• Do I need to use fertilizer for my lemon tree?
  Yes, once your lemon tree begins to grow, it will benefit from regular feeding with a balanced citrus fertilizer. Fertilize every 6 weeks during the growing season and reduce feeding during the winter months.
• Can I grow a lemon tree from a store-bought lemon?
  Yes, you can grow a lemon tree from seeds found in store-bought lemons. However, make sure to use organic lemons, as non-organic varieties are often treated with chemicals that can inhibit seed germination.
• Will a lemon tree grown from seed taste the same as the parent tree?
  Lemon trees grown from seed may not produce fruit that is identical to the parent tree, especially if the seed came from a hybrid variety. The fruit could vary in taste, size, and appearance.
• Can I grow multiple lemon trees from a single lemon?
  Yes, a single lemon typically contains several seeds, each of which can be used to grow an individual lemon tree. However, not all seeds will germinate, so planting multiple seeds increases your chances of success.
• What is the best time of year to plant lemon seeds?
  Lemon seeds can be planted at any time of the year indoors. However, if planting outdoors, it’s best to start them in the spring or early summer when temperatures are warmer and more consistent.
• How tall will a lemon tree grown from seed get?
  Lemon trees can grow anywhere from 10 to 20 feet tall when grown outdoors in ideal conditions. However, indoor lemon trees typically stay smaller, around 3 to 6 feet tall, especially if they are regularly pruned.