How to Grow a Meyer Lemon Tree Indoors or Outside for Abundant Fresh Citrus

The glorious Meyer lemon tree is a small, evergreen variety that makes it possible to enjoy homegrown citrus regardless of location and growing zone. A cross between a citron and a mandarin-pomelo hybrid, these popular trees are a delight to grow and their abundant production of lemons makes them even more special. Here, our experts provide advice for growing your own Meyer lemon tree for fresh citrus cultivated at home.

When to Plant a Meyer Lemon Tree

The best time to plant a Meyer lemon tree outdoors is early spring. "That timing gives the tree a chance to settle in while the soil is warming up during the cool, rainy season, setting it up for success before the summer heat or the risk of winter frost," says container gardening expert Cindy Funes. Plant a Meyer lemon tree in containers if you live somewhere temperatures drop below freezing, and move the tree inside during cold weather.

How to Plant a Meyer Lemon Tree

Gardeners in zones 8 to 11 can plant a Meyer lemon tree outside. If you live outside these zones, grow your tree in a container and move it inside or to a sheltered location when temperatures drop. "Although Meyer lemons can tolerate brief dips of freezing temperatures, they’re not reliably cold-hardy," says Funes. Follow these steps when planting a Meyer lemon tree outside:

1. Dig a hole about 2 to 3 times larger in circumference and slightly deeper than the pot it is currently in.
2. Loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole and mix in organic-rich material, such as compost. This helps the tree's roots work into the ground.
3. Gently slide your Meyer Lemon tree out of its pot. This might be easier said than done, especially if the roots are tight. If it's in a plastic pot, you may have to cut through one side to free the root ball.
4. Place your tree in the hole. Does it look like it's sitting at the right depth? If it's higher than the surrounding ground, dig a deeper hole. If it's lower, backfill with more soil.
5. When the hole is the right size, place the rootball in the hole and backfill with soil. Press down firmly around the surface of the soil, and then water well.

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How to Care for Meyer Lemon Trees

Caring for a Meyer lemon tree is easy if you provide the right combination of light, soil, and water.

Sunlight

Meyer lemon trees love sunlight. "Meyer lemons require at least six hours of sunlight or more," says gardening coach Jennifer Holston. If you're growing your tree indoors, placing it in front of a south-facing window or supplementing with grow lights is ideal.

Soil

These trees prefer loamy, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Keep the soil moist but never soggy, says Funes. Add sulfur or sulfuric acid to your soil to lower its pH and garden lime to raise the pH.

Water

Consistent watering is essential if you want your Meyer lemon tree to produce blossoms and fruit. "Let the top 2 inches of soil dry out between watering, then water deeply, always making sure the pot has good drainage to avoid root rot and ridding the saucer of any excess water," says Funes.

Temperature

Meyer lemon trees are sensitive to cold weather. They do best in daytime temperatures around 80 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime temperatures ranging from 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fertilizer 

Fertilizer is key for getting your tree to blossom and set fruit. "Fertilize in early spring and continue every few weeks through fall," says Funes. She suggests using a balanced citrus fertilizer that has iron, phosphorus, and potassium. "Phosphorus and potassium are especially helpful with flower and fruit development," she says.

How to Prune Meyer Lemon Trees

Pruning a Meyer lemon tree is essential, as it allows you to maintain an ideal shape and size. Cutting away some branches improves airflow, reducing the risk of fungal disease. Aim to prune your tree in spring or fall, cutting back dead branches or branches impeding sunlight or airflow. Once your tree sets fruit, you can also prune the fruits so each branch has one or two, producing larger, healthier fruits.

How to Pot and Repot Meyer Lemon Trees 

A Meyer lemon tree grown in a container will eventually need a bigger home. Funes recommends repotting when necessary, but not rushing the process. "Meyer lemon trees do best when they’re a little snug in their pots," she says. "That slight root restriction encourages blooming and keeps the plant more compact." The need to repot becomes obvious when roots appear through the drainage holes, or when the soil breaks down and stops draining well.

Aim to repot your Meyer lemon tree every three years during spring. Choose a container one to two sizes bigger than the original pot, making sure it has a drainage hole. Remove the tree from its current container and gently loosen any circling roots. Fill the new pot halfway with potting soil and place the tree in the container. Backfill with soil and water well.

How to Overwinter Meyer Lemon Trees 

Meyer lemon trees are sensitive to cold weather and only thrive outdoors year-round if planted in zones 8 to 11. Trees in pots must be carefully watched and brought indoors for protection against chilly nights. However, Funes warns against babying the tree too much, noting that a common mistake is bringing the tree indoors too early or keeping it inside for too long. "Meyer lemons are surprisingly cold tolerant in containers, down to around 37 degrees," she says.

If temperatures dip below 37 degrees and you need to bring your tree inside, be sure to mist the leaves, run a humidifier, and give it as much light as possible, says Funes. She recommends returning the tree to its outdoor location as soon as temperatures are consistently above 37 degrees again, allowing it to receive the light and humidity it needs to thrive.

Common Pests and Diseases

Unfortunately, Meyer lemon trees aren't immune to damage from the occasional pest or disease. "The peskiest pest I’ve encountered has been the scale bug," says Holston. "They love Meyer lemons." She says that if you notice brown bumps on stems, leaves, or fruit, scrape them off quickly with a toothbrush or a rough rag. "Other signs are an increase in ants and sooty mold (black smudges), caused by the sap the scale bugs excrete," Holston says. "These bugs produce fast and can quickly overrun the tree."

How to Get Meyer Lemon Trees to Bloom

The first step in getting your Meyer lemon tree to produce lemons is encouraging it to bloom. According to Funes, achieving blossoms is a combination of good light and appropriate amounts of fertilizer and water, but sunlight is extremely important. "Meyer lemon trees need at least eight hours of direct sunlight daily, and more if you can swing it," she says. "Outdoors, full sun is best. Indoors, a south-facing window is your best bet, or you can use supplemental grow lights if the natural light is limited." The more light the tree gets, the more compact the growth and productive it will be in flowering and fruiting overall. Funes adds that Meyer lemon trees bloom more readily when they’re a little root-bound, so no need to rush to upsize their pots.