How Often to Water a Meyer Lemon Tree for the Best Quality Fruit

Meyer lemons are the rare fruit tree that can thrive when grown both indoors and outside. Even when temperatures dip, these beautiful plants will produce sweet, delicious produce that you can use to bake cakes, muffins, and more.

While these trees are relatively easy to care for, there are a few key steps that are important to get right. Watering, naturally, is one of them—too much or too little hydration will invariably cause your Meyer lemon to struggle. Ahead, learn when the best time to water these plants is—and how you should do it.

When to Water

Like many plants, there's no exact timeline for watering your Meyer lemon tree. "A good rule is to water deeply, and then wait until the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry before watering again," says Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of From Seed to Spoon.

A few external factors can impact this timeline, namely the weather. If the temperature is higher, for example, then you may need to water every few days. Well-draining soil will require more frequent watering than heavier clay varieties. Meyer lemon trees grown in containers will dry out faster, and will require more frequent watering—something to keep in mind if you plan to cultivate yours indoors.

How to Water

So how should you water your Meyer lemon tree? If the top few inches of the soil feel dry, then water slowly at the base of the tree. If it's in a container, then keep going until you see water coming out of the drainage holes at the bottom.

If your tree is in the ground, water it long enough so that the moisture soaks 12 to 18 inches deep into the roots. "Avoid shallow, frequent sprinkles," says Spoonemore. "Deep, less frequent watering encourages a healthier root system."

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Signs of Underwatering

Underwatering can cause your Meyer lemon tree to diminish. Crispy or cured leaves and wilting that doesn't stop by the evening are a few surefire signs that your tree needs more water. Spoonemore also notes that "very dry soil away from the sides of a pot," as well as "premature fruit or flower drop," can signal that underwatering may be an issue.

Signs of Overwatering

Overwatering can lead to root rot, which is extremely dangerous for a Meyer lemon tree. Yellowing leaves and soggy soil are signs that you're watering too much—so is a sour, swampy smell. "Let the soil dry out, improve drainage—add holes, elevate the pot, or repot into a well-draining mix—and reduce how often you water," says Spoonemore.