Meyer Lemon Tree

Care

Important: Please water immediately upon arrival.

Temperature

Citrus grows best between 55°F and 85°F. Indoor temperatures averaging 65°F are conducive to growth if light is adequate.

Light Exposure

Expose your tree to light that is as bright as possible but avoid excess heat as this will dry out the soil too quickly. Citrus like 6 to 12 hours of sunlight a day. A location that provides morning sun or filtered light throughout the day is ideal. When grown indoors, the tree should be kept a minimum of 24 inches from a window as the window will act as a magnifying glass and cause the leaves to burn.

Water/Fertilizer

Water the tree as needed to keep the soil moist but not wet. Watering frequency varies with location, tree size and climate and should be monitored and changed as local conditions change. Vital nutrients are flushed from the soil with each watering and need to be replenished. Citrus are heavy feeders in the summer months and should be fertilized once a week in the summer and every two weeks in the spring and fall. Your local nursery should have an adequate liquid fertilizer available; make sure it includes iron, manganese and zinc. Wilted leaves indicate too little watering; yellowing leaves can indicate lack of fertilizer or overwatering.

Pruning

Pruning is fine any time of year but should be avoided in winter for trees grown outdoors. Prune to shape as you desire, keeping in mind the small-scale size of the plant and its container. Flowers will appear from small shoots that originate where the leaves meet the stem. The tree flowers sporadically throughout the year, heaviest in the spring. If too much new growth is produced at the branch tips, don’t be shy about cutting it back to a lower position to shorten the tree’s height and encourage branching. Occasional pruning of leggy branches will help the tree look fuller. Very leggy branches can indicate the need for more light. Remove the tree from its pot every two to three years and remove about one-third of the roots. Re-pot with a blended potting soil; this will encourage new roots and keep the tree growing happily.

Winter Period

Keep the tree from extreme cold temperatures in a bright location through the winter. Depending on your location, you could leave it outside in a frost-free area or in a bright, warm room if freezing temperatures occur. Heated rooms may need additional humidity to help the leaves stay lush. As old leaves fall off, fertilize regularly to create new growth and keep the tree productive.