Grow Your Own Lemon Tree - I Did!

How to Sprout a Lemon Tree from Seed

If you have lemons around, chances are pretty good that you can sprout a tree from the seeds inside. Lemon trees tend to grow well indoors and outdoors in warm humid climates. They have fragrant blossoms and shiny dark green foliage.

What you will need:

1. ·         Sunny location
2. ·         Soil (Peat Moss)
3. ·         Container (preferably with a lid to keep humidity in)
4. ·         Lemons seeds

I have tried a few different methods to sprout the lemon seeds. One of the methods I found was unsuccessful was wrapping the seeds in paper towel which was kept damp until the seeds sprouted. The method that seemed to work best for me was peat moss or potting soil in a container which was kept warm and humid.

·         Remove the seeds from the lemon and rinse them right away to remove any of the acid that might hinder the seed from sprouting.

·         Do NOT let the seeds dry out completely, they must be kept moist at all times.

·         After removing the seed from the lemon you will notice it is white or an off white color. To maximize the chances of the seed sprouting you can remove the white husk protecting the seed.

·         To remove the husk, gently pat down and remove any excess water from the seeds that were rinsed. It’s best if they are not slippery when you try to remove the husk.

·         Use a paring knife or a similar knife to gently remove the white husk around the seed. Usually once the husk starts to come off you can use your fingernails to remove the rest. Be careful not to damage the seed underneath this layer. It will be brown in color.

·         Fill a small container with 1-2 inches of potting soil or peat moss. A clear and transparent container with a lid works best. I used an old Ferrero Rocher container since it is clear all the way around, had a lid and allowed maximum sunlight.

·         Place the lemon seeds about half an inch below the surface of the soil.

·         Add water and ensure the soil is evenly moist.

·         Place the container in a south facing window or the sunniest location you can.

·         Be patient! It may take 2-3 weeks before you see the seed sprout.

·         When the seeds sprout, remove the lid and ensure they continue to receive full sun exposure.

·         Transplant to a bigger container when the sprouts are about 2 inches high.

Other Tips:

Lemon trees love light. Keep them in Southern exposure and if that’s not possible, use a fluorescent light. They will require about 12 hours of light a day.

Lemon trees prefer slightly acidic all purpose soil mix.

Indoor growing will require manual pollination. When the tree blossoms, use a q-tip or your finger to gently rub the inside of each flower.