The Meyer lemon, a natural hybrid cross between a true lemon and a mandarin orange, is valued for its fragrant blossoms and uniquely sweet, thin-skinned fruit. This attractive citrus tree is often grown in containers, making it a popular choice for indoor gardening. Starting a Meyer lemon tree from seed is a rewarding project. This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step process for successfully growing this plant indoors.
Preparing the Meyer Lemon Seeds for Planting
Successful germination requires selecting and preparing fresh, viable seeds, which quickly lose their ability to sprout if allowed to dry out. Use seeds immediately after extracting them from a ripe fruit to ensure the highest success rate.
Rinse the seeds thoroughly under cold running water to remove all traces of the sugary pulp. This residue encourages mold and fungal growth, which prevents successful germination. Perform a simple viability test by soaking the seeds in water for 24 hours and discarding any that float.
To hasten germination, the hard outer seed coat can be carefully removed, a process known as scarification. Gently nick the pointed end of the seed with a fingernail or small knife and peel away the tough, white layer. Regardless of whether the coat is removed, the seeds must remain moist until they are placed in the soil.
Planting Medium and Initial Sprouting Care
A proper environment is necessary for the seeds to sprout and establish roots. Use a well-draining, slightly acidic planting medium, such as standard potting soil amended with perlite or peat moss. This combination prevents waterlogging, a common cause of failure for citrus seedlings.
Plant the seeds shallowly, about one-half inch deep, in a small container with excellent drainage holes. Water the soil until it is evenly moistened, ensuring excess water drains freely. Create a humid microclimate by covering the pot with clear plastic wrap or a dome.
Place the covered container in a warm location, ideally maintaining a temperature around 70°F, which encourages germination. Consistent warmth and moisture are essential for sprouting, which typically occurs within two to four weeks. Once the first shoots emerge, remove the plastic covering to allow air circulation and prevent damping-off disease.
Long-Term Care for Developing Seedlings
Once the plastic cover is removed, the seedling requires a significant increase in light exposure for leaf development and photosynthesis. Meyer lemon seedlings need at least eight to twelve hours of bright light daily for healthy growth, often requiring a supplemental LED grow light indoors. Insufficient light causes the seedling to become weak and leggy.
Young citrus plants are sensitive to both drought and waterlogged conditions. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings, waiting until the top inch or two of the potting mix feels dry to the touch. This practice prevents root rot while ensuring the roots receive necessary moisture.
Begin fertilization once the seedling has produced its first four true leaves and is actively growing. Citrus trees are heavy feeders, so a specialized, high-nitrogen fertilizer formulated for citrus is recommended. Apply the fertilizer at a reduced rate monthly during the active growing season, from early spring through the fall.
To encourage a sturdy, bushy structure, introduce basic training and pruning as the seedling grows. Initially, pinch back the tips of the main stem to promote lateral branching instead of tall, single-stem growth. Reserve structural pruning until the tree reaches three to four feet, removing weak or inward-growing branches to improve air circulation.
What to Expect from a Seed-Grown Meyer Lemon Tree
Growing a Meyer lemon from seed requires patience, as the tree takes time to reach maturity and produce fruit. While a commercially grafted tree may bear fruit within two to three years, a seed-grown tree typically requires five to seven years before it flowers and sets fruit.
A key expectation is the potential for genetic variability in the mature tree’s fruit. Because the Meyer lemon is a hybrid, its seeds may not produce a tree genetically identical to the parent. The resulting tree may exhibit characteristics closer to its lemon or mandarin ancestors. In some cases, it may be an exact clone due to a unique reproductive trait in citrus.