Since lemon trees can’t handle freezing winters, they have to be grown in pots here. But that doesn’t mean your little citrus friend has to stay cooped up inside all year! They actually love getting some fresh air during the summer months.
Keeping Your Lemon Tree Indoors Year-Round
Lemon trees are total sun-worshippers and thrive best under the open sky. While you *can* keep one as a year-round houseplant, it’s not exactly their favorite setup. Most homes just don’t offer enough direct sunlight, and it often ends up being a bit too dark for them to really flourish.
If you’re set on keeping your lemon tree indoors 365 days a year, my advice is to start with a small tree. Smaller plants don’t need quite as much light to stay happy. Plus, you won’t have to worry about it taking over your living room anytime soon—citrus trees grow much slower when they live indoors full-time.
The “perfect” indoor spot for your tree is:
- Right in front of a very bright, sunny window.
- In a room with standard comfortable indoor temperatures.
Pro tip: If you can fully open the window during the day (rather than just tilting it), your tree will love you for it! It gives them a chance to soak up some unfiltered sunlight for a few hours.
Summer is Outdoor Season
For the healthiest, happiest plant, let your lemon tree spend its summer vacation on the balcony or patio. Just remember that once the temperatures drop, it’s time to move back inside. You can overwinter it in a warm room or keep it in a cool (but frost-free) spot like a bright stairwell.
Care and Maintenance
Whether your tree is a homebody or an outdoor adventurer, the basic care stays pretty much the same. When it comes to watering, it’s all about balance. You don’t want the soil soaking wet, but you don’t want it bone dry either—though, honestly, these guys handle a little drought much better than “wet feet.”
To keep your tree nourished in its pot, give it some citrus-specific fertilizer once a week during the main growing season. You’ll also need to repot your Citrus x limon every now and then. Since repotting can be pretty stressful for the plant, you don’t need to do it constantly. A good rule of thumb is:
- Every three years for smaller plants.
- Every five to ten years for larger, established trees.
