I live in NY, and although I love the climate here, I often feel a pang of jealousy when I visit southern states and see lush, green lemon trees heavy with lemons.
This jealousy, as jealousy often does, propelled me to action. After all, I had lemon seeds, and in fact, plenty of them!
I decided then and there to start my lemon tree from seeds. Surprisingly, it was easy.
You’re in luck if you, too, have the same pang of jealousy or want to show off your lemon tree at your next family gathering.
This blog will walk you through a step-by-step guide to growing your lemon tree from seeds indoors!
Why You Should Grow A Lemon Tree From Seeds
So why would you want to grow a lemon tree from a seed in the first place? Well, it’s fun! Life is pretty amazing, and we lose so much of that wonder as we get older.
Remember back to the days in elementary school when you were learning about seeds?
Perhaps you had a teacher who showed you how to sprout string beans from a single bean. Remember the wonder? Well, why not go back to that time? Starting a lemon tree from seed can help us reconnect to the wonders around us and not take so much for granted.
That being said, often, our seed-started trees will not bear fruit for some time. In some cases, it can take up to eight years. However, this is not always the case.
I started a few seeds last year, and the plant has started to flower for me this year! In addition, trees started from cutting can be grafted from an established tree to bear fruit earlier.
This way, you do not have to wait around for fruit.
Besides the connectedness to life, there are some other benefits to starting your lemon tree from seeds indoors.
Lemon trees grown from seed can be more disease-resistant than those grown from cuttings, and they can be more cold-tolerant than those grown from cuttings.
Because I love in the state of NY, this was something very desirable for me.
The process of planting and caring for a lemon tree from seed is relatively simple, making it an achievable goal even for novice gardeners.
It’s a rewarding process that will give you a beautiful and fruitful addition to your home.
What You'll Need to Start Your Indoor Lemon Seeds
You’ll need the following supplies to start lemon seeds indoors:
Lemons: To guarantee that the seeds within are healthy, choose organic lemons that are fresh and juicy.
Potting Soil: You will need a high-quality, nutrient-rich, well-draining potting soil mix. Making your own potting soil by combining peat moss, perlite, and compost is also excellent option.
Pots: To plant the lemon seeds, you will need little pots or containers. Ensure sure the bottom of the pots has drainage holes.
Water: Lemon trees need to be watered frequently, so make sure there is a source of water close by.
Fertilizer is necessary for lemon trees to grow healthily. You can apply liquid fertilizer or slow-release granular fertilizer, or even compost.
Plastic wrap or a transparent plastic bag: To produce a greenhouse effect that will aid the germination of the seeds, you will need to cover the pots with plastic wrap or a clear plastic bag.
Sunlight: To flourish, lemon trees require a lot of sunlight, so pick a bright location in your house or garden.
Patience is required while growing a lemon tree from seed because it can take the tree several years to bear fruit.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Start Lemon Seeds Indoors
If you’re ready to start lemon seeds indoors from seed, this step-by-step guide will help you start.
Before you begin, you will need to gather an organic lemon. Non-organic lemons have less chance of germinating.
In addition, if they do germinate, there’s a low chance of the plant ever producing flowers. By choosing organic, you ensure you have the best chance of growing a viable lemon tree.
Once you have secured your lemon, you will want to cut it in half. Be careful to not damage any of the seeds inside.
Scoop out the seeds and place them in a cup of water for 30 minutes.
Next, using a wet paper towel, fold the seeds inside the paper towel and place them in a plastic sandwich bag.
This will allow the seed to retain the moisture of the paper towel and give it ample time to germinate.
My mom, a lemon tree-growing expert, suggests peeling the seed’s outer shell before placing it in the paper towel. I have never tried this method, but she swears by it.
Place the bag in a warm, dark place. A cabinet above the refrigerator or above your oven are both excellent choices.
Check on your seeds every few days. Some seeds have germinated in four days, and others have germinated for up to a month! The key is to be patient and to keep the towel wet.
Once the seeds have germinated, it’s time to plant them in soil.
Plant the seed in a small container filled with organic soil. You will need to plant your seedling with the growth part facing down. This is the part that will develop into the roots of the plant.
Ensure the soil is damp but not wet, and the container should be placed in an area with plenty of natural light. Then, place a plastic sandwich bag over the pot.
This will allow your seedling to grow and retain humidity.
Once the seed has sprouted, providing the seedling with adequate sunlight is essential.
I place my pots in a southern exposure window, ensuring they get 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
Water regularly, about once every two weeks, and fertilize monthly to ensure the tree gets the nutrients it needs to grow.
It can take up to two years for a lemon tree to grow from seed to bear fruit, but it is worth the wait!
Tips for Success
If you keep up with regular watering and fertilizing, you can expect a healthy lemon tree with plenty of delicious fruits to enjoy.
Be sure to repot your plant as it grows. The roots of your lemon tree will need to spread out as it grows bigger.
During the spring and summer months, take your lemon tree outside. They make great patio decorative pieces and will benefit by being out in mother nature.
When bringing your plant back inside during the winter months, be sure to spray the plant with Neem oil and/or insecticidal soap. This will ensure you are not bring any mite or scale inside.
Final Thoughts
Growing a lemon tree from scratch indoors is a rewarding experience that anyone can do! With the proper knowledge, supplies, and care, you can start lemon seeds indoors and achieve success with starting lemon seeds indoors
Remember, if you know what your lemon tree needs and can supply it, then you will do fine. Have patience and enjoy watching your lemon tree grow!
Don’t forget to share your experience with starting lemon seeds indoors and growing a lemon tree indoors in the comments section of this article! Good luck!
