Lemon trees (*Citrus x limon*) are absolute favorites for patios and balconies, and it’s easy to see why. Between the fresh harvest and those sunny Mediterranean vibes, they bring a lot of joy to a space. The catch? Buying a mature citrus tree can get pretty pricey. If you’re looking to save some cash (and have a little fun), growing your own tree is a fantastic alternative.
Growing a Lemon Tree
You can start your own lemon tree journey using a few different methods:
- Starting from seeds or cuttings
- Grafting
Lemon Seeds
Honestly, growing a lemon tree from a seed isn’t all that difficult, but there is a bit of a gamble involved. Not every seed is a winner. If you grab a lemon from the grocery store, there’s no guarantee the seeds will actually sprout. Even if they do, it might take about ten years before you find out if your lemon tree will ever bloom or produce fruit.
Your best bet is to use seeds from a tree that is already successfully producing fruit. Even then, nature can be unpredictable, and you might still end up with a “sterile” tree that’s just for looks.
Grafting
If your main goal is to harvest lemons as soon as possible, grafting is the way to go. For this, you’ll need a cutting (a scion) from a tree that’s already fruiting and a “rootstock” to attach it to—a hardy variety like a Bitter Orange works great. If all goes well, you could be picking your first lemons in about four years.
Cuttings
If you want something easier than grafting but more reliable than seeds, growing from cuttings is the perfect middle ground. You’ll usually see your first lemon harvest within just a few years. Just make sure your “mother plant”—the one you’re taking the tip cuttings from—is healthy and has already produced fruit.
To give your cuttings the best start, you’ll need:
- 5-inch plastic pots
- High-quality seed-starting mix
- A plastic cover or dome (to create a mini greenhouse effect)
- A warm spot with partial shade
- Consistently moist soil
If you keep the conditions just right, your cutting should take root in about six to nine weeks. Once it starts outgrowing its little pot, you can move it to a bigger home and start caring for it just like a grown-up lemon tree!
