Scientific Name: Citrus limon, Citrus meyeri (improved meyer lemon tree)

Aliases: meyer lemon tree, valley lemon, improved meyer lemon tree, dwarf lemon, limone

Family: Rutaceae (citrus or rue family)

Mature Plant Size: Up to 8-12' tall by 3-5' wide; generally up to 4-6' tall by 2-3' wide when grown indoors in containers

Type: Tree, Woody Shrub

Growth Rate: Medium in warmer climates, slow to medium in more temperate climates

Light Requirements: Bright, full sun; at least 8 hours sunlight per day; will tolerate partial sunlight in warmer climates; environment changes must be gradual to prevent leaf drop

Moisture Requirements: Water thoroughly and infrequently during active growth to maintain moist to semi-moist soil; will not tolerate soggy soil; do not overwater or let container sit in water; reduce watering during dormant periods/winter

Soil Requirements: Prefers sandy, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.8-7.8 or a commercially available citrus soil mix; tolerates acidic soil with a pH as low as 6.0; will not tolerate salty soil

Natural Habitat: Originally native to China; introduced to the US in 1908 by Frank Meyer; the Improved Meyer Lemon (symptomless to the Citrus tristeza virus) was found in California by Four Winds Growers in the 1950s

Care Recommendations: Meyer lemon prefers temperatures between 58-75 degrees F and humidity levels between 30 and 65 percent. Outdoors, the Meyer lemon tree is considered hardy to approximately 30 degrees F, or in USDA zones 9, 10, and 11. Meyer lemon, along with the majority of citrus, requires at least 8 hours of direct sunlight per day for proper growth as the plant's food supply is stored within its leaves. The soil for the Meyer lemon tree should be kept semi-moist to moist during active growth, and watering should be reduced slightly in winter months. Soil should never remain soggy and the container must never be allowed to sit in standing water. This plant may be fed accordingly up to every two months during active growth with a citrus or acid plant food. During bloom, flowers may require manual pollination if the tree is kept indoors, which may be performed lightly with a cotton swab. Although the Meyer lemon tree tolerates being pot-bound well, it should be repotted every 3 years or so into a container 1-2 inches larger in diameter, or roots may be trimmed back up to 10 percent and it may be repotted into the same container with new soil to provide fresh nutrients. The Meyer lemon tree may also be lightly pruned back in the spring to produce a bushier looking tree.

Propagation: Meyer lemon may be propagated by either stem cuttings or by seed. Stem cuttings may be taken in late spring or early summer, dipped in rooting hormone powder, and planted in an appropriate sterile soil with temperatures of at least 70-80 degrees F to accelerate rooting. In commercial environments, Meyer lemon is commonly propagated by grafting to rootstock of other citrus or dwarf trees. Propagation by seed requires sterile potting mix, temperatures of at least 70-80 degrees F, and may take up to 3-6 weeks for seeds to germinate. Note that stem cuttings generally produce blooms within 2-3 years and that propagation by seed may take up to 4-6 years for plants to begin flowering.

Pests and Diseases: Meyer lemon and most citrus are susceptible to aphids, mealybugs, scale, and spider mites. Spider mites may be controlled by raising humidity levels, and other insect pests may be controlled by showering the tree or by using horticultural oil for more severe infestations.

If humidity levels are too low, the Meyer lemon tree may begin to drop leaves. To raise humidity, a humidifier may be used or the container may be placed on a pebble tray, but the plant should never be allowed to sit in standing water. Overwatering frequently leads to root rot. Meyer lemon should be gradually acclimated to new lighting conditions by incremental exposure to differing sunlight over the course of several days. Drastic change in lighting conditions, such as moving outdoors in full sun from protected/filtered sun may lead to leaf and bloom drop by shocking the plant. Another cause of yellow leaves is sometimes improper or insufficient fertilizer.

Additional Information:

Note that the Meyer lemon is not a true lemon, as it is a hybrid between a true lemon and either a mandarin or sweet orange. Meyer lemons generally do not ship well over long distances, and this citrus fruit has a thin skin; meyer lemons are considered culinary desirable because their flavor and zest is milder than true lemons. Mature Meyer lemon trees bear fruit heavily and are relatively hardy plants.

The Meyer lemon tree blooms at least twice per year when at least 2-3 years old and often blooms and produces fruit continuously when mature.

The Meyer lemon tree (Citrus limon or citrus meyeri) is a commonly grown as dwarf citrus and is suitable for containers both indoors and outdoors.