Meyer Lemon Tree Indoor Care: How to Grow Meyer Lemon Tree Indoors

Introduction to How to Grow a Meyer Lemon Tree Indoors 

Growing a Meyer lemon tree indoor

Did you know you can grow citrus indoors no matter where you live? The easiest citrus to grow indoors is the Meyer lemon tree indoor. Meyer lemons are prized for their sweet flavor, a cross between a mandarin orange and a lemon.

The best part is the Meyer lemons available today are called improved because they don't carry any citrus virus. Here are some tips to help your fruit trees, especially the Meyer lemon plant, thrive and produce fruit indoors.

To ensure success, it's important to understand how Meyer lemon trees grow and bloom. For optimal growth, be mindful of the humidity Meyer lemon trees require to thrive indoors, as this will help them bloom and produce fruit year-round.

Benefits of Growing Citrus in Containers

Growing citrus trees, such as the Meyer lemon tree, in containers offers numerous benefits, especially for those in cooler climates. Container gardening allows you to control the soil mixture, ensuring it is slightly acidic with the ideal acidic soil pH for fruit trees.

Potted Meyer lemon trees can be moved indoors during colder temperatures, allowing for year-round fruit production and protection from frost. Additionally, placing an indoor lemon tree near a south-facing window ensures it receives adequate sunlight, while the ability to monitor and adjust humidity levels promotes healthy growth and fragrant white blossoms.

Unlike most citrus trees, the Meyer lemon tree is well-suited for container gardening, offering delicious fruit even in smaller spaces. For best results, remember to focus on proper lemon tree care, especially in early spring when growth resumes.

Choosing the Right Citrus Trees for Containers

Popular Citrus Varieties

When choosing citrus trees for containers, popular varieties include the Meyer lemon tree, Key limes, and Satsuma mandarins. The Meyer lemon tree is ideal for container gardening, as it is compact and self-pollinating, producing fruit with shiny dark green leaves and fragrant white blossoms. The Meyer lemon plant thrives in containers and is perfect for smaller spaces.

Key lime trees thrive in slightly acidic soil and can bear fruit indoors, making them perfect for container gardens. Satsuma mandarins are cold tolerant and can be grown indoors or outdoors, providing delicious, easy-to-peel fruit.

To help Meyer lemon trees grow successfully, these citrus plants require well-draining soil, adequate sun exposure, and more frequent watering. Meyer lemon trees bloom with beautiful white flowers, which eventually turn into the sweet, tangy fruit you can enjoy.

Factors to Consider

When selecting citrus trees for container gardening, consider climate compatibility, tree size, and growth habit. For instance, the potted Meyer lemon tree is well-suited for growing in various climates and can be easily moved indoors during colder months. When growing a tree outdoors, the Meyer lemon tree thrives in warmer climates, but can also be successfully grown in containers and brought inside.

Meyer lemon trees, with their compact size and ability to thrive in slightly acidic soil, are ideal for container gardening and produce fruit with proper care. When learning how to grow a Meyer lemon tree in a container, ensure it receives ample sunlight, such as from a south-facing window, and maintain soil moisture to encourage fruit production. The sandy mixture used in container gardening is essential for promoting healthy root growth and preventing waterlogging.

Unlike typical lemons, Meyer lemons are sweeter and less acidic, making them a great choice for home gardeners. If you plant indoors, it’s crucial to provide the right conditions for healthy growth, such as good drainage and regular care. Other citrus trees, like mandarin oranges, also make excellent potted plants, provided they are given the right conditions to flourish.

Selecting the Right Containers

Types of Containers

When selecting the right container for growing citrus trees like the Meyer lemon tree, consider the material and its impact on plant health. Plastic containers are lightweight and retain moisture well, making them suitable for keeping soil consistently moist, but they may not offer the best airflow. When growing a tree outdoors, it’s important to select a pot that suits the climate and ensures proper drainage, such as a nursery container.

Ceramic and terracotta pots provide better breathability and drainage, crucial for preventing soggy soil and root rot, though they can dry out more quickly, requiring more frequent watering. Meyer lemon trees, unlike traditional lemons, require a slightly acidic soil pH, which is essential for their optimal growth and fruit production.

For optimal Meyer lemon tree care, choose containers with drainage holes and ensure a well-draining potting mixture to support healthy fruit production and vibrant, shiny dark green leaves.

Size and Drainage Considerations

When growing Meyer lemon trees in containers, selecting the right size and ensuring good drainage are essential for healthy growth and fruit production.

The container should be large enough to accommodate the root system and allow for the expansion of the Meyer lemon tree's roots; a pot with a minimum diameter of 12 inches is recommended for smaller trees. In cooler temperatures, be sure to move the tree indoors to protect it from frost and maintain its health.

Proper drainage is crucial to prevent soggy soil and root rot, which can hinder the tree's ability to bear fruit. Containers with drainage holes and a well-draining potting mixture help maintain soil moisture while preventing water accumulation, ensuring the tree thrives and produces vibrant, fragrant blossoms. Meyer lemon trees may have thin stems as they grow, but with the right care, they will yield sweet, orange-yellow fruit that is perfect for culinary use.

Soil and Potting Mix for Citrus Trees

Ideal Soil Characteristics

For optimal Meyer lemon tree care, especially when growing Meyer lemon trees in containers, it's crucial to use a well-draining potting mix. Citrus trees, including Meyer lemon trees, thrive in soil with a slightly acidic pH of around 5.5 to 6.5. Providing abundant light, such as placing your tree near a south-facing window, will ensure healthy growth and fruit production.

The potting mix should consist of a sandy or loamy mixture to ensure good drainage and prevent soggy soil, which can lead to root rot and hinder fruit production. If your tree feels slightly soft, it may indicate a watering issue, so be sure to adjust accordingly.

Additionally, controlling the temperature and humidity around the tree is essential for optimal growth. For those with limited space, a dwarf variety of the Meyer lemon tree is a great option as it remains compact while still producing vibrant, healthy fruit.

Creating the Perfect Potting Mix

To create the perfect potting mix for growing Meyer lemon trees in containers, combine ingredients that ensure well-draining soil and optimal nutrient content.

A recommended mix includes equal parts of high-quality potting soil, coarse sand, and perlite to maintain good drainage and avoid soggy soil.

For citrus trees, adding a small amount of compost can enrich the mix with essential nutrients while keeping the soil slightly acidic, which is ideal for Meyer lemon trees. Regularly check the soil moisture and pH to ensure it supports healthy growth and vibrant fruit production throughout the growing season.

What to know before you get started

Lighting your lemon tree

• Citrus trees need 8-12 hours of light per day with southern or southwestern exposure to produce fruit
• Supplement natural light with full spectrum fluorescent lighting or a professional grow light
• Place your new tree in your desired location for 2 weeks before potting to be sure the tree is happy
• When you have a place it’s happy, pot it

Watering your lemon tree

• Citrus trees like deep and infrequent watering
• Citrus trees like to be moist but not soggy
• Use a moisture meter to tell when your tree needs watering, water when the top two inches of soil are dry
• Add Thrive Alive B-1 to the water to encourage root growth

Pollinating your lemon tree

• If your tree is flowering inside, take a cotton swab and transfer pollen from one blossom to another

Fertilizing your lemon tree

• Citrus trees are heavy feeders that should be fertilized with citrus fertilizer
• Follow the instructions carefully for any fertilizer you choose
• Here are three that Tricia recommends:
  • E.B. Stone Citrus & Fruit Tree Food
  • Down to Earth Citrus Mix Fertilizer
  • Phyta-Grow Leafy Green Special Fertilizer

How long does it take for a Meyer lemon tree to bear fruit?

• Meyer lemon trees typically flower and fruit twice a year starting at 3-5 years of age

How to pot a Meyer lemon tree for indoor growth

1. For a 2-3 year old tree, use a 5 gallon plastic pot about 12-15” in height with good drainage
2. Create a potting mixture of 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 potting soil, and 1/3 perlite that will fill the pot
3. Slide the tree from its container, cut away dry roots, fluff if matted/encircled
4. Add tree to center of pot and add your potting mixture with the crown of the roots just above the soil line
5. Slowly add water while pulling the tree up slightly to remove any air pockets

Best way to grow your Meyer lemon tree indoors

• Place your tree in the brightest part of your house, near a south-facing window
• If the tree doesn’t get 8-12 hours of light a day, add some low-energy LED grow lights
• Fill a pot tray with rocks
• Add water to the tray, filling it just below the top of the rocks to allow your tree to sit on the rocks but not IN water
• Place the pot with tree on top of the rocks

Maintenance schedule for a lemon tree

• Water as noted above
• Weekly: Turn your tree a quarter turn to ensure the tree is getting even light
• Every 2 weeks: Spray down your foliage
• Every 2 years: Repot your tree after pruning the roots to avoid the tree getting root bound
• Anytime: Prune your citrus tree to control its shape and size

Moving your citrus tree indoors to outdoor & vice versa

• Best time to move your citrus or lemon tree is when the temperatures are close to the same indoors and outdoors
• When switching, keep the tree in the shade for 2 weeks
• Your citrus tree will grow and need larger containers over the years, so be sure to get help from a friend or use a moving dolly to move the pot around

Best alternatives to Meyer lemon trees

These citrus trees are also easy to grow indoors:

• Lisbon lemons
• Washington navel oranges
• Bearss limes

Conclusion

In conclusion, growing improved Meyer lemon trees and other citrus varieties in containers offers a versatile and rewarding gardening experience, even in cooler climates. By selecting the right container size, ensuring well-draining soil, and providing full sun and proper care, you can enjoy fresh, fragrant citrus fruits like lemon zest year-round, whether you're growing regular lemons or Meyer lemons.

Whether you're cultivating an improved Meyer lemon tree, Key limes, or Satsuma mandarins, following these best practices will help your citrus plant thrive and produce abundant fruit. Citrus trees can grow up to feet tall, making them suitable for both small and larger spaces.

Start planting in early spring and continue to provide consistent care, including liquid fertilizer and proper watering, to maintain healthy trees. Watch out for pests like rust mites, and ensure your citrus trees are in the appropriate growing zones for optimal growth. For fruit production, regular care and occasional maintenance will help your citrus thrive through the early summer.

With attention to their specific needs and proper maintenance, your indoor citrus garden can flourish and bring vibrant greenery and delicious flavors to your home. After all, fresh citrus is always a treat—whether you're harvesting from your tree or finding it in grocery stores. For a selection of quality citrus trees, check out Citrus trees for sale.

FAQs: How to Grow Meyer Lemons and Other Citrus Trees in Containers

• Q1: How to grow a Meyer lemon tree in a container?

  • A1: To grow a Meyer lemon tree in a container, choose a well-draining pot with a slightly acidic soil pH. Ensure the tree is placed in a location that gets full sun for at least eight hours daily. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and provide proper watering. Make sure to use slow-release fertilizer during active growth to support the tree’s health.

• Q2: What are the ideal conditions for growing Meyer lemon trees indoors?

  • A2: Meyer lemon tree indoor care requires a new container with good drainage and soil with slightly acidic soil pH. The tree needs to be placed in full sunlight, preferably near a south-facing window that gets around eight hours of direct sunlight each day. If growing in partial shade, ensure the tree still gets enough light to thrive.

• Q3: Can Meyer lemon trees tolerate frost?

  • A3: Meyer lemon trees are sensitive to frost. When growing in colder climates, bring the tree indoors during colder months or use frost protection, especially if the tree is in a new environment. If frost occurs unexpectedly, gently shake off excess moisture and place the tree indoors.

• Q4: How do I care for my Meyer lemon tree to ensure it blooms and produces fruit?

  • A4: To encourage flowers and fruit on your Meyer lemon tree, provide regular watering when the soil feels moist, and ensure the tree receives peak sunlight for at least eight hours daily. Hand pollinate flowers if only a single tree is present, as this can boost fruit production.

• Q5: What are common pests I should watch out for with Meyer lemon trees?

  • A5: Common pests that affect Meyer lemon trees include aphids, spider mites, and scale insects. These pests are typical targets of citrus trees. Regularly inspect your tree and, if left untreated, use organic pest control solutions like neem oil to prevent infestations.

• Q6: How do I ensure proper pruning for my Meyer lemon tree?

  • A6: Pruning is essential to maintain a healthy tree. In the spring, remove dead or damaged branches to improve airflow and encourage new growth. Always use sharp, clean pruning tools to prevent infection. Regular pruning also helps the tree maintain its shape and encourages flower production.

• Q7: How often should I feed my Meyer lemon tree?

  • A7: Meyer lemon trees benefit from additional feeding during active growth. During the growing season, provide a balanced citrus fertilizer every six to eight weeks to support the tree’s health. This helps ensure peak performance in producing flowers and fruit.

• Q8: Can I plant Meyer lemon trees in a new container?

  • A8: Yes, when planting in a new container, ensure it’s large enough to accommodate the tree's growth. Meyer lemon trees can grow to about six feet tall, so use a container that allows for healthy root development and provides good drainage.

• Q9: How do I identify and treat plant diseases in my indoor citrus trees?

  • A9: Look for leaf yellowing, spots, or unusual growth patterns. If you notice any of these symptoms, use the index finger test to check if the soil is too wet or too dry. Make sure to use proper watering techniques and treat fungal diseases with organic solutions if necessary.

• Q10: How can I prevent root rot in a Meyer lemon tree in a container?

  • A10: To prevent root rot, always use well-draining soil, and ensure your container has proper drainage holes. When the soil feels moist, water the tree but avoid over-watering. If the tree is in a new container, adjust watering frequency to suit its new environment.

• Q11: How do I tell when my Meyer lemon tree is ready to harvest fruit?

  • A11: Meyer lemons are ready to harvest when they are fully yellow or slightly orange and feel firm but slightly heavy for their size. You can gently shake the tree to see if any fruit falls; this is often a sign that it’s ready. Always use pruning shears to harvest fruit to avoid damaging the tree.

• Q12: Can I grow other citrus trees, like mandarins or oranges, in containers?

  • A12: Yes, you can grow other citrus trees in containers, such as mandarins or oranges. Ensure the soil is acidic and the tree gets full sunlight for at least eight hours a day. Maintain good watering practices to keep the tree healthy and fruiting.

• Q13: How do I manage my Meyer lemon tree in colder climates?

  • A13: In colder climates, Meyer lemon trees must be brought indoors to avoid frost damage. Keep the tree in a warm environment with full sunlight and high humidity. If kept indoors during winter, ensure the tree receives adequate warmth and light to maintain health.

• Q14: How often should I water my Meyer lemon tree?

  • A14: Meyer lemon trees require proper watering. Ensure the soil feels moist but not soggy. A good rule of thumb is to check the soil with your index finger to a depth of about 2 inches. If it feels dry, water the tree deeply, but make sure not to let the soil become waterlogged.

• Q15: Can I grow a single Meyer lemon tree indoors?

  • A15: Yes, a single Meyer lemon tree can be grown indoors, though you may need to hand pollinate the flowers to ensure fruit production. Indoor trees need to be in a location that gets full sunlight for eight hours a day and should be kept in a well-draining container.