The Ultimate Meyer Lemon Tree Care Guide: Growing a Meyer Lemon Tree Indoor Successfully
Growing a Meyer lemon tree indoors is one of the most rewarding ways to bring fresh citrus, fragrant blossoms, and year-round greenery into your home. Known for their sweeter flavor and thin, aromatic skin, the Meyer lemon is a hybrid citrus plant that thrives beautifully in containers—making it perfect for homes in cooler growing zones or for gardeners without outdoor space.
Whether you're beginning your indoor citrus journey or looking to improve your Meyer lemon tree care, this guide walks you through exactly how to grow a Meyer lemon tree indoors successfully—from choosing the best pot for a Meyer lemon tree to maintaining proper light, watering, and soil.
Why Grow a Meyer Lemon Tree Indoors?
If you live in an area with cold winters or simply want to enjoy citrus plants year-round, growing Meyer lemon indoors is ideal. The Improved Meyer lemon tree (a virus-free, dwarf variety) adapts especially well to pots and indoor environments. Indoor growing allows you to control sunlight, humidity, and soil—important factors for producing fragrant blossoms and juicy citrus fruit.
For more insight into citrus growing basics, explore the guide on how to grow citrus trees.
Urban gardeners will also appreciate that lemon trees make excellent container plants, which fits today’s small-space lifestyles. Learn more in this resource on urban gardening without a yard.
Choosing the Best Pot for a Meyer Lemon Tree
Container Size & Drainage
For a young tree, a 5-gallon pot—such as this 5-gallon black plastic pot—provides plenty of room for root growth without holding too much moisture. As your tree matures, upsize gradually to prevent it from becoming root-bound.
Whichever style you choose, drainage holes are essential to prevent root rot. Explore more options in the collections of planting containers, plastic pots, and tree and forestry pots.
Material Choices
- Terracotta: Breathable and great for preventing overwatering.
- Plastic: Lightweight and retains moisture longer—ideal for warmer homes or gardeners who water less frequently.
Best Potting Soil for a Meyer Lemon Tree
Indoor citrus thrives in light, well-drained soil that stays moist but not soggy. Aim for a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
Recommended Soil Mix
Use:
- ⅓ peat moss – such as Sunshine Peat Moss
- ⅓ organic potting soil – try PVFS Organic Potting Soil
- ⅓ perlite – options available in the perlite collection
This combination supports airflow, drainage, and nutrient uptake. To understand how acidity affects citrus plants, review Understanding Soil pH.
How to Plant a Meyer Lemon Tree in a Container
- Remove Gently from the nursery pot.
- Trim circling or dried roots to encourage fresh growth.
- Position the tree so the root crown sits just above the soil line.
- Backfill with your citrus soil mix, pressing lightly.
- Water thoroughly to settle the soil.
For best results, start with an Improved Meyer semi-dwarf lemon tree, known for vigor and fruitfulness indoors.
Meyer Lemon Tree Indoor Care: Light, Water & Feeding
Light Requirements
Meyer lemons need full sun—about 8–12 hours daily. Place them near a south-facing window or supplement with grow lights from the Grow Lights Collection.
Learn more about citrus and sunlight in The Sunlight Sensitivity of Citrus Trees.
Watering
Water deeply when the top 2 inches become dry. Keep the soil moist, but avoid saturation. A soil moisture meter—such as those in the moisture meter collection—helps prevent overwatering.
Fertilizing
Citrus trees are heavy feeders. During early spring through summer, nourish your plant with an acid-loving fertilizer. Browse options in the acid-loving fertilizer collection.
Humidity
Indoor heating tends to dry the air. Create a humidity tray or mist your tree occasionally.
Pollination Indoors
Meyer lemons are self-fertile, but lightly brushing flowers with a soft paintbrush increases fruit set, especially when grown indoors.
Pruning & Repotting
Prune annually to:
- Remove dead or crossing branches
- Improve airflow
- Encourage strong fruiting wood
Repot every 2 years using fresh potting mix and a slightly bigger container.
For more small-space growing inspiration, explore container gardening for strawberries.
Conclusion
Growing a Meyer lemon tree indoors is easy, enjoyable, and incredibly rewarding. With the right container, proper lighting, the best potting soil for a Meyer lemon tree, and consistent watering, you can enjoy beautiful leaves, fragrant blooms, and delicious fruit—even if your lemon tree is never planted in the ground.
Start your indoor citrus adventure with confidence by exploring high-quality citrus trees and trusted tools at Grow Organic.
69 comments
Is it okay to plant a Meyer Lemon tree in August? or should I wait for Spring? some other time?? How much room should I allow from the house? IE how wide does the tree get? I don’t have it yet, but plan to buy one. I live in zone 9 – 10.
I also would like an orange or a Mandarin orange tree. When should that be planted?
I have an area 37’ by 13’ to plant these trees. Does either of them do better if it is closer to the house? Thank you
Ann, you should use a fertilizer that is for citrus trees and follow the label for the proper amount to feed.
Jane, you should use a fertilizer that is for citrus trees.
Pat, I would not advise planting your lemon out doors in your zone, 7b. If you do you will have to keep it warm during the winter, with frost blankets, if you put a structure around it you can hang Christmas lights (the old fashion kind that heats up) in the structure to keep it warm.
what is the best fertilizer to use