How to plant and care for Lemon (Meyer)

Citrus × meyeri

🌳 Tree 🍓 Fruit 🔁 Perennial

A compact, sweeter lemon that fruits well in a pot. Outdoors on a sunny patio in summer, indoors or in a frost-free greenhouse in winter.

At a glance: harvest in December.

When to plant and care for it

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Harvest

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

Light: Full sun · 6+ hours a day
Watering: Water when the top 2–3 cm of compost is dry; less in winter
Soil: Free-draining citrus or ericaceous compost · pH 5.5–6.5
Spacing: One per 30–45 cm pot
In pots: Grows well in containers
Feeding: Summer citrus feed every watering from spring to autumn; winter citrus feed monthly
Hardiness: USDA zones 9–11
Difficulty: Intermediate

On planting day
Pot Up Your Lemon
Plant into a pot 5 cm wider than the root ball, in citrus compost with extra grit. Stand it in the sunniest spot you have.
1 day after “Pot Up Your Lemon”
Water In
Water until it runs from the base, then let the top of the compost dry before watering again.
14 days after “Water In”
Start Citrus Feed
Begin a summer citrus feed with every watering.

March
Prune and Top-Dress
Pinch back leggy shoots and replace the top 5 cm of compost; repot into a slightly bigger pot every 2–3 years.
April
Switch to Summer Feed
Change to a high-nitrogen summer citrus feed with every watering.
June
Move Outside
Once nights stay above 10°C, move the pot to a sunny, sheltered patio. Harden it off over a week.
July
Check for Scale Insects
Look under leaves for brown scale and sticky honeydew. Wipe off with soapy water.
September
Bring Indoors
Before the first frost, move the lemon to a bright, cool room (10–15°C) or frost-free greenhouse. Switch to winter citrus feed.
December
Pick Ripe Lemons
Lemons take months to ripen; pick when fully yellow and slightly soft to the squeeze.