🍋 Lemon Tree: Growing Guide
Lemon Tree (Citrus limon) grows best in full sun with moderate watering, and does well at 0–38 °C (32–100 °F) in soil with a pH of 5.5–6.5. Space plants about 300 cm (118 in) apart. Expect 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Citrus limon |
|---|---|
| Category | Fruit Trees |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Plant spacing | 300 cm (118 in) |
| Soil pH | 5.5–6.5 |
| Comfortable temperature | 0–38 °C (32–100 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season) |
| Sowing depth | 20 cm (7.9 in) |
| Height | 200–400 cm (79–157 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Continental | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||||
| Oceanic | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||||
| Subtropical | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||
| Tropical | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out |
| Arid / Semi-arid | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar · Harvest: May–Jul.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Mar · Harvest: May–Jun.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Feb–Mar, Sep · Harvest: Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Plant out: Jun–Jul, Dec–Jan · Harvest: Feb–May, Aug–Nov.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Plant out: Feb · Harvest: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct.
Watering
Water about every 5 days in summer and about every 14 days in winter. Regular watering, good drainage.
Growing tips
Grows well in a pot with pruning. Eureka, Lisbon and Messinia lemon.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Common pests and problems
Frequently asked questions
Lemon Tree: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar · Harvest: May–Jul. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Apr · Harvest: Jun–Jul. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Mar · Harvest: May–Jun.
Lemon Tree: how often should I water it?
Water about every 5 days in summer and about every 14 days in winter. Regular watering, good drainage.
Lemon Tree: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 300 cm (118 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 20 cm (7.9 in).
Lemon Tree: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Lemon Tree: which plants grow well with it?
Basil, Lavender.
Lemon Tree: which pests and problems should I watch for?
Scab, Whitefly.
Plan your garden
Add Lemon Tree to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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