Encyclopedia of Houseplants

We Got Pros to Share Their Best Secrets for Growing a Lemon Tree at Home (and Getting Fruit!)

updated Jun 27, 2024
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someone tending to lemon tree in room with gold painting
Credit: Photo: Lucy Schaeffer; Prop Styling: Carla Gonzalez-Hart

There are plenty of large indoor trees that can make a statement in your home, from fiddle leaf figs to rubber tree plants. But one indoor tree you might not have considered (and definitely should) is the lemon tree. Growing a lemon tree indoors can bring an old-world charm to your home, not to mention provide a beautiful scent (if you play your cards right).

“Indoor lemon trees are appealing because they add a fresh, vibrant look to the home, produce fragrant blossoms, and yield delicious fruit year-round,” says Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of Park Seed’s app From Seed to Spoon. If you’re ready to breathe new life into a corner of your home, here’s all you need to know about growing lemon trees inside.

Quick Facts About Indoor Lemon Trees

  • Common name: Meyer Lemon
  • Botanical name: Citrus limon or Citrus meyeri
  • Family: Rutaceae
  • Average height: 6′ to 10′
  • Sun needs: 6-12 hours of direct light per day
  • Soil needs: moist, well-drained soil
  • Water needs: moist, but not wet
  • Native area: Asia
  • Toxicity: Some parts are toxic to both dogs and cats, according to the ASPCA.

What kind of light does the lemon tree need?

Lighting can be tricky while caring for lemon trees. All citrus plants need a ton of bright light to thrive indoors — more than 10 hours per day.

“Lemon trees require bright, direct sunlight for at least eight to 12 hours a day,” says Susan Brandt, the co-founder of Blooming Secrets.

Brandt suggests placing your tree near a south-facing window (or using a grow light) and regularly rotating the plant to give it even sun exposure.

What kind of soil is right for indoor lemon trees?

It’s best to plant lemon trees in a citrus potting mix. You can typically find citrus potting mix at any local nursery or online.

“The ideal potting mix should be a combination of peat moss, perlite, and sand,” says Autumn Janus, a horticulturist for Perfect Plants. She adds that indoor lemon trees require soil that is well-draining, acidic, and rich in nutrients.

If your plant is suffering in the nutrient department, Janus also says fertilizing your tree is essential. “Regular fertilization with a balanced fertilizer helps compensate for the nutrient deficiency in the soil,” she adds.

Jessica Mercer of Plant Addicts dove deeper into the timing of adding extra nutrients. “Fertilize about three times a year — late spring, fall, and late winter — using a feed for citrus trees,” she says. “Make sure it contains micronutrients because lemon trees need manganese, zinc, iron, copper, boron, molybdenum, chlorine, and nickel, in addition to the usual macronutrients (NPK),” Mercer adds.

Mercer’s pick for fertilizer is Espoma Organic Citrus-Tone 5-2-6, which you can order online.

How much should you water your lemon tree?

Even though lemon trees thrive in arid environments, it is essential to water your tree regularly.

According to Brandt, you should keep the soil moist but never waterlogged, which can lead to root rot. “Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry, allowing excess water to drain out of the pot,” she says.

Another point to note is that your watering schedule will be different in the summer as opposed to winter. You might water your tree every week in the summer but only every two or three weeks in the winter.

The best way to ensure you’re not overwatering is to use your finger to test the soil before you grab your watering can.

How much humidity do indoor lemon trees need?

Citrus trees love humid environments, so controlled indoor spaces can be a little dehydrating.

“Indoor environments tend to be drier, so it’s important to increase humidity around the tree,” says Brandt.

She recommends using a humidifier in the room where your plant is located or placing a tray filled with water and pebbles underneath the plant. For an additional boost, mist the leaves a few times a week.

Credit: Photo: Lucy Schaeffer; Prop Styling: Carla Gonzalez-Hart

Can you grow a lemon tree from a cutting?

Like many plants, you can propagate lemon trees from a cutting — meaning you can grow a new indoor lemon tree from part of a mature plant. Here’s how, according to Brandt.

How to Grow a Lemon Tree from a Cutting

  1. Prepare a small pot by filling it with a well-draining soil mix (citrus potting mix is best). Make a small hole in the soil where you’ll be able to place your cutting.
  2. For your cutting, use a mature parent plant with vibrant leaves and no signs of pests or disease.
  3. Use clean, sharp pruning shears to cut a stem that’s 6 to 8 inches long. Make sure it has at least two sets of leaves.
  4. Remove the lower set(s) of leaves so that only the top set is intact, allowing the plant to focus its energy in one place.
  5. Dip the cut end of the stem into a rooting hormone powder or gel and place the cut end into the prepared soil.
  6. Place the cutting in a warm, bright location with indirect sunlight, giving the plant optimal watering and humidity conditions. 
  7. Monitor your plant, and avoid disturbing the cutting as it takes root. 
  8. Once healthy roots have developed (you can check this by gently tugging on the plant to ensure it’s rooted well), transplant your mini tree into a larger pot.

How to Get Fruit from Your Indoor Lemon Tree

Lemon trees require pollination in order for their flowers to become fruit.

Sometimes, a lemon tree kept indoors will figure out how to pollinate itself without the help of insects, but most of the time, they will need your help with pollination.

“Something additional that can be done is hand-pollinating,” says Brandt. “To increase fruit set, hand-pollinate your lemon tree using a small brush or cotton swab to transfer pollen between flowers.” 

The only tricky part is figuring out which part of the flower is male and which part is female. The male flower parts, called anthers, will protrude from the bloom and be covered in pollen. The female part of the flower, called the stigma, which will be sticky in the middle of the bloom.

Coat your swab or brush with the pollen from the anthers. Transfer as much of the pollen to the stigma as possible. You’ll know if you were successful if in the coming weeks, the bloom begins to grow a small fruit.  

That said, Brandt notes that it takes time — anywhere from one to three years — for your lemon tree to produce fruit, so don’t expect immediate results. “Be patient and continue providing proper care and maintenance,” she says.

Indoor Lemon Tree Varieties

Although there are several kinds of lemon trees you can grow indoors, there are three that top Janus’s list:

  • Eureka
  • Dwarf Meyer
  • Lisbon

All three varieties will grow nicely indoors and can stay potted while producing fruit.

How to Repot a Lemon Tree Plant

Moving your indoor lemon tree to a new pot is relatively straightforward. Just make sure you use a pot with a drainage hole and the proper soil to allow your plant to adjust and spread out as it grows.

“Repotting the indoor lemon plant should be done every two to three years, and it’s best to repot the plant in the spring,” says Janus.

As a standard rule of thumb, the container needs to be at least 2 inches larger than the plant’s root ball, which helps promote growth and keeps your plant healthy.

Here’s how to repot, step by step.

  1. Gently lift out the lemon tree while loosening the soil around the root ball using a trowel or your gloved hand.
  2. Detangle roots and break up any clumpy sections by trying to spread the roots out gently. 
  3. Place the tree into a prepared pot, and fill up the pot to cover the root system.
  4. Lightly tamp down the soil to help secure the tree, and place your tree in a suitable location.
Credit: Victoria Pearson/Getty Images

Common Pests for Indoor Lemon Trees

There are a few pests that can harm your lemon tree, including:

  • Scale
  • Spider mites
  • Aphids
  • Mealybugs

According to Mercer, indoor lemon trees are especially susceptible to scale, which are pests that like to suck the sap out of plants and appear as wax-like bumps on the leaves and stems.

Scale produces a sticky substance called honeydew as it feeds, which causes additional problems.

“The honeydew draws spores of black sooty mold that grow on the tree and block photosynthesis,” says Mercer. The sticky substance also attracts ants.

To remove both scale and honeydew, dip a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and gently wipe away. If caught early enough, your lemon tree can recover.

More familiar pests like spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs are also common for indoor lemon trees. “Regularly inspect your lemon tree for signs of infestation or disease and act appropriately, such as using insecticidal soap or horticultural oils to control pests,” says Brandt.

Common Issues for a Lemon Tree Plant

While lemon trees are relatively foolproof when well cared for, Brant advises plant parents of a few potential pitfalls. Here are the most common.

  • Insufficient sunlight: Lack of proper light can cause lemon trees to get leggy, produce less fruit, and have weaker health.
  • Improper watering: Overwatering can cause root rot and fungal disease while under-watering can lead to nutrient deficiencies.
  • Low humidity: A dry environment can cause leaf drop, leaf browning, and decreased fruit quality. 
  • Pests and disease: While common pests are a concern, lemon trees are also susceptible to diseases like citrus canker and leaf miner.
  • Nutrient deficiencies: If you see yellowing leaves with green veins (chlorosis), your plant likely needs a fertilizer containing nitrogen, iron, or magnesium. 
Credit: bepsy/Shutterstock

FAQ About Indoor Lemon Trees

Where should you place a lemon tree in your home?

A south-facing window should provide the ideal amount of light, but Mercer says you can also place them in a sunroom or greenhouse, or outdoors in warmer seasons.

“Many people choose to bring their potted lemon trees outdoors to a deck or patio in the summer to expose the trees to more sunlight,” she says. “Acclimate them slowly to the outdoors by placing the tree in mostly shade and then moving it into more sunlight over one to two weeks.”

Can you grow lemon trees indoors?

Yes, indoor lemon trees can thrive inside your home in the proper conditions. “Lemon trees can make great indoor plants as they have fragrant blooms and glossy leaves that add beauty to your home,” says Janus.

What type of lemon tree is best for indoors?

Many local nurseries have great options when it comes to citrus. If you’re interested in making the investment and want a big name, try shopping at Logee’s, whose Ponderosa tree lemons are world-renowned for weighing up to five pounds apiece.

For small spaces, look for a dwarf variety, which won’t get as large as a standard lemon tree.

Lisbon, dwarf Ponderosa, and the Meyer “improved” dwarf varieties are better suited for container growing than other larger cultivars. “The Meyer lemon tree is best for indoor growing due to its smaller size and hardiness,” says Spoonemore. It’s a semi-dwarf variety that matures in about four years and reaches 8 to 12 feet tall. 

Do indoor lemon trees attract bugs?

Scale and mites are typical, and ants can also be an issue (thanks often to the honeydew produced by scale).

“Sprinkling cinnamon in the pot of your indoor lemon tree is a simple and effective way to deter ants,” Janus says.

Spoonemore also notes that fruit flies can appear if fruit falls and rots. To prevent flies, clean up fallen leaves and fruit promptly.

How long does it take for a lemon tree to bear fruit from seed indoors?

While you can grow lemon trees from seed, the process is long. It takes three to five years to grow a seed into a mature plant that produces fruit.

Brandt prefers to grow lemon trees from cuttings instead. “Growing a lemon tree from seed can be a longer and more unpredictable process compared to propagating from a grafted tree,” she says.