Even though the lemon tree (botanical name *Citrus x limon*) usually lives in pots here and can grow up to twenty feet tall, there’s no reason you can’t train one into a stunning bonsai!
Which Lemon Tree Should You Choose?
If you’re looking to start your bonsai journey, I recommend picking out a lemon tree that’s about two to three years old. It’s the perfect age to start shaping.
Bonsai Care Basics
To make sure your *Citrus x limon* thrives in its miniature form, you’ll want to keep a close eye on these key areas:
- Location
- Soil
- Watering
- Fertilizing
- Pruning
- Repotting
- Wiring
When it comes to the look of your tree, lemon bonsais look fantastic in informal upright, formal upright, or broom styles.
Location and Soil
Even though we treat lemon trees as indoor bonsais, they absolutely love a summer vacation! Move your tree out to the balcony or patio starting in mid-May. Once the temperatures start dipping toward 50°F (10°C) at the end of summer, bring it inside to a very bright spot. Aim for a winter room temperature between 50°F and 60°F.
For the soil, make sure you use a low-lime mix to keep the roots happy.
Watering
Timing is everything! Water your bonsai as soon as the surface of the soil feels dry to the touch. It’s best to water with soft water (low in lime). Be careful, though—if you overwater or let it get too thirsty, your lemon tree will show its frustration by dropping its leaves.
Fertilizing
A liquid bonsai fertilizer works wonders here. During the growing season, give your tree a boost every one to two weeks. In the winter, you can scale back:
- If it’s in a cool winter spot, once a month is plenty.
- If it’s staying at room temperature, every two to three weeks is better.
Pro tip: Only fertilize when the soil is already moist so the roots can soak up those nutrients properly.
Pruning
- After the tree blooms, let the new growth reach about three or four pairs of leaves. Then, trim the shoots back to just one or two pairs.
- Feel free to remove any stray branches that don’t fit your vision.
- Do your main maintenance pruning between March and April.
Repotting
You’ll want to repot your lemon bonsai every three to four years. When you do, trim the roots back by about a third. Just be careful not to sit the tree too deep in its new pot!
Wiring
To get that perfect shape, you can wire your lemon tree anytime from spring through fall. Just keep a sharp eye on it—you don’t want the wire cutting into the bark as the tree grows, as that can leave permanent scars and ruin the look of your beautiful bonsai.