Lemon Tree (Live Seedling)

$5.55

A small seedling sprouting from a grow sponge in a small food safe plastic container and mailed to your address.

A small seedling sprouting from a grow sponge in a small food safe plastic container and mailed to your address.

Growing a lemon seedling is a rewarding project that can provide fragrant blossoms, evergreen foliage, and tangy fruit for years. Whether you're growing it in a garden or container, lemons love warmth, sunshine, and well-drained soil.

Here’s a complete guide for nurturing your lemon seedling into a healthy, fruit-bearing tree:

🍋 How to Grow a Lemon Tree Seedling

1. Plant Overview

  • Botanical Name: Citrus limon

  • Type: Evergreen fruit tree

  • USDA Zones: 9–11 (can be grown in containers in colder zones)

  • Height: 6–20 feet depending on variety and pruning

  • Lifespan: 30–50+ years with proper care

2. Ideal Growing Conditions

☀️ Sunlight

  • Requires full sun — at least 6–8 hours/day

  • Indoors, place near a south-facing window or use grow lights

🌱 Soil

  • Well-draining, sandy or loamy soil

  • Slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5–6.5)

  • Avoid heavy clay or soggy soils

🌡️ Temperature

  • Ideal range: 70–90°F (21–32°C)

  • Frost sensitive: bring indoors or cover if below 40°F (4°C)

3. Planting Instructions

📅 Best Time to Plant

  • Spring or early summer after danger of frost has passed

🕳️ How to Plant

  1. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and same depth

  2. Remove seedling from container and gently loosen roots

  3. Place the seedling so the root crown is level with the soil

  4. Backfill with native soil mixed with compost

  5. Water thoroughly

  6. Mulch around the base (keep away from the trunk)

📏 Spacing

  • At least 8–10 feet from other trees or walls

4. Watering

  • Young trees: Keep soil consistently moist (2–3 times per week)

  • Established trees: Deep water every 7–10 days

  • Allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings

  • Avoid overwatering — lemon roots hate soggy conditions

5. Fertilizing

  • Start feeding 6–8 weeks after planting

  • Use a citrus-specific fertilizer high in nitrogen

  • Apply every 6–8 weeks during growing season (spring–fall)

  • Supplement with micronutrients like magnesium and iron

6. Pruning

  • Minimal pruning needed in the first year

  • Remove:

    • Suckers (growth from below graft line)

    • Dead or damaged branches

    • Crossing limbs to improve airflow

  • Prune lightly in late winter or early spring

7. Flowering & Fruiting

  • Lemon seedlings may take 3–6 years to fruit

  • Fragrant white flowers appear in spring or year-round in warm climates

  • Lemons mature 6–9 months after flowering

  • Hand-pollinate indoor plants with a soft brush for better fruit set

8. Pests & Diseases

  • Pests: Aphids, spider mites, scale, leaf miners

  • Diseases: Root rot, citrus canker, greasy spot

  • Solutions:

    • Neem oil or insecticidal soap

    • Good air circulation and proper watering

9. Container Growing

  • Ideal for colder zones

  • Use a 5–15 gallon pot with drainage holes

  • Citrus potting mix or light soil with perlite

  • Move indoors in cold weather

  • Rotate regularly for even sun exposure

✅ Quick Tips

  • Full sun, well-drained soil, and regular watering are key

  • Fertilize with a citrus blend during the growing season

  • Protect from frost, especially while young

  • Be patient—fruiting from seed takes several years

  • Great for containers or in-ground in warm zones