Lemon Tree Plants: Professional Tips On Timing, Location And Procedure

In order for the Mediterranean tree to grow successfully here, too, there are a few things to consider. We show what is important when planting a lemon tree. Now you finally have your first own lemon tree ( Citrus x Limon ), but what to do with the exotic plant? It helps to look at the regions of origin and cultivation: Lemon trees come from the warm regions of the world. The climate is subtropical or Mediterranean, the sun is merciless and rain is a valuable asset. And that is exactly how the lemon imagines its life for you: sunny, warm, mild in winter, and a portion of water every now and then.

So that you can meet the requirements of your lemon tree as much as possible, even though you do not live in the Mediterranean or in the subtropical, planting is an essential point that you should deal with. Because when, how, and where to plant, you should adapt exactly to the needs of the crop. Substrate and location, in particular, play a decisive role here. You can find more plants for a Mediterranean garden in this post.

When do you plant the lemon tree?

Transplant your lemon tree at the beginning of the new growing season. The ideal time is in spring, as soon as the lemon leaves its winter quarters and starts the new season. Because being replanted is a big change for lemon trees – as it is for other plants. Therefore, lemon trees grow particularly well after repotting in order to adapt to the new conditions.

The perfect location for the lemon tree

The fruits of the lemon tree shine bright yellow. But for the sour citrus fruits to develop, the tree needs as much direct sun as possible. The perfect location for the plant is therefore an outdoor area in full sun. However, the plant should be protected from wind and weather. For example, near a wall could be a good place for your lemon tree. Stone walls also offer the advantage that they radiate the stored warmth of the day even on cool nights. Keep your lemon tree indoors, then give it the brightest spot available by the window.

In the cold months, the lemon tree needs a suitable winter home. Above all, it is important that the winter quarters are frost-free and as bright as possible. You can find out more about the wintering of lemon trees in our special article on the subject.

The right substrate for the lemon tree

So that the roots of the lemon tree can develop optimally, the plant has three requirements: The substrate should be slightly acidic, the soil should contain sufficient nutrients and good water permeability should be guaranteed. Commercial citrus earth fulfills all of these points. Alternatively, you can easily mix the right substrate yourself by mixing garden or compost soil with little lime with some sand.

You might so like: Chamaerops “Fan” Palm

Instructions for planting lemon trees in the tub

You don’t need any technical expertise to plant your lemon tree. Above all, it is essential that the new pot is not too big so that the root ball remains nice and compact. In addition, you should definitely remember to put a drainage layer in the pot, otherwise waterlogging could become a serious problem later.

• Choose a new pot that has a drain hole for excess water and is about two inches wider than the old one
• Put a layer of gravel in the pot for drainage
• Carefully pull the root ball out of the old planter
• Loosen the root ball with your fingers. Soil that is not rooted can easily fall away
• Place the root ball in the center of the new pot
• Fill in the gaps with fresh substrate and lightly press the tree into place
• Now pour a little water – and your lemon tree is completely repotted

Plant the lemon tree in the bed

Cold winters and frosts are conditions that lemon trees cannot stand at all. Accordingly, it is difficult to keep a lemon tree outdoors all year round. Of course, there are also places with a mild climate in German-speaking countries, mainly in the wine-growing regions. But even here in winter the temperatures regularly drop below -2 ° C. And above this temperature, lemon trees are damaged. If you still want to keep a lemon tree outdoors, you should switch to other citrus tree species. Maybe the juicy yuzu ( Citrus x Junos ) or the pretty Ichang-Papeda ( Citrus ichangensis ) are good alternatives? After all, both survive down to -10 ° C without damage.

You might so like: Cupressus: Expert Tips For Planting And Caring

Care for the lemon tree after planting

In order to allow the lemon tree to get used to it as smoothly and quickly as possible, you should of course take special care of it immediately after transplanting. You can find out how to repot lemon trees correctly and how to fertilize lemons in our special articles.