Growing lemon trees indoors can be a great way to bring a bit of nature indoors and enjoy a unique flavor of lemons. But cultivating lemon trees in containers and indoors requires careful maintenance, specific growing conditions, and the right variety of lemon tree. Here’s how to bring a lemon tree inside and keep it growing all year long.
First and foremost, you’ll need to select the right type of lemon tree based on the space you have available. If you have good light and plenty of room indoors, you can grow standard-sized lemon trees in containers. If you lack space, dwarf varieties are a great option and will produce full-sized fruit. Container-grown trees also require regular pruning to limit their size.
You’ll also need to make sure you’re providing the right environment for your lemon tree. Lemon trees favor warm temperatures and plenty of direct light. To ensure your tree gets some direct sun, you can move your tree near the window, or use a grow light set up to mimic natural sunlight. Keeping temperatures consistently between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit will make sure your lemon tree remains healthy and happy.
Once you have your lemon tree in place, it’s important to make sure you’re taking proper care of it. Be sure to water frequently, but allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. You’ll also want to fertilize your lemon tree several times during the growing season to ensure proper nutrition. Finally, be sure to regularly inspect your tree for diseases or pests.
Bringing your lemon tree inside can also be a great way to give your home a special fragrance. The fragrant flowers of a lemon tree have a delightful aroma, and the leaves have a strong citrus scent. This can help infuse your home with a fresh, natural scent that’s sure to liven up any space.
Best Conditions for Lemon Trees
When you bring a lemon tree inside, it’s important to create an environment that’s optimal for its growth. Lemon trees thrive in warm temperatures, so it’s best to keep the temperature indoors above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. You’ll also want to make sure your tree gets at least six hours of direct sunlight daily; if that’s not possible, consider using LED grow lights to mimic natural sunlight.
It’s also important to keep in mind that you should be watering your inside lemon trees with caution. You don’t want to water it too much or too little, or your tree won’t grow properly. Lemon trees need to be watered consistently and thoroughly – feel the soil and make sure it feels slightly moist. Never let the soil dry out completely or become soggy. Fertilizing your lemon tree a few times a year is also important.
How to Prune Your Inside Lemon Tree
Pruning is an important part of keeping your lemon tree healthy and strong, especially when you’re growing it indoors in a container. Pruning helps keep the tree a manageable size, increases flowering and fruiting, and helps the lemon tree stay productive. When pruning your indoor lemon tree, you’ll want to make sure you focus on the tips and sides of the branches. Cut any dead, dying, or crossing branches, and trim off any long and awkward branches to open the tree up so more sunlight can reach its interior.
Start off by snipping off the tips of overgrown branches, and then use heading cuts as needed to reduce the overall size of the tree. Always use sharp, clean pruning shears, and make sure you never remove more than 25% of the tree’s foliage. Pruning your lemon tree regularly ensures that the tree stays healthy and strong, and will continue to produce delicious, juicy lemons!
Caring for Diseases and Pests on Inside Lemon Trees
Many diseases and pests can cause damage to a lemon tree, and it’s important to be aware of them and take preventative measures. To help keep your lemon tree safe from disease and pests, make sure to inspect it regularly and take preventative measures. Check the tree for any signs of pest infestations, and inspect the soil for signs of disease. Common pests and diseases that affect lemon trees include aphids, scale, mealybugs, mites, and powdery mildew.
If you do happen to spot any pests, try to take care of them right away. You can use neem oil or insecticidal soap to treat infestations, and make sure to remove any affected leaves or stems. Additionally, you can use specific fungicidal sprays to treat fungal issues before they become serious.
Fertilizing Your Inside Lemon Tree
Fertilizing your lemon tree with the right fertilizer is an important part of ensuring it remains healthy and strong. Lemon trees prefer fertilizers that have a higher ratio of nitrogen, such as a 10-20-10 or 8-24-24 formulation. You’ll also want to choose a fertilizer that’s labeled for citrus trees, as these are formulated specifically for citrus and will help provide essential nutrients. When applying fertilizer, make sure to spread it evenly and consistently around the base of the tree.
When fertilizing a lemon tree indoors, it’s best to do it in late winter and again in early summer. This will help ensure your tree gets essential nutrients when it’s growing most actively. Additionally, it’s important to pay attention to the instructions on the fertilizer label, and make sure you’re not over-fertilizing your tree to avoid damaging the roots.
Rotating Your Inside Lemon Tree
Rotation of inside lemon tree is critical to its growth. When you place a tree in the same spot, the sides facing the sun grow tall and lanky while the sides in shade don’t receive the proper amount of light. To keep the Lemon tree balanced and growing, rotate it at least once a month. Taking the tree outside can also be an effective rotation solution, as long as you protect it from the elements.
Make sure to rotate the tree slowly so that each side of the tree can adapt to the sun. Try to aim for a 360-degree rotation to ensure your tree is getting equal amounts of light. This should help your tree stay structurally strong and prevent branches and stems from becoming too lanky. Rotating your lemon tree is also beneficial for distributing nutrients and fertilizer, which will help the tree get the most out of its nutrients.
Harvesting Your Inside Lemon Tree
When your lemon tree is ready to be harvested, it’s important to handle the fruit properly. Lemon fruits will ripe from green to yellow in the course of several weeks. The best way to detect when a fruit is ripe is to feel it with your hands; ripe fruits will give slightly when you press on them. Be gentle when picking the fruit, as damaging the skin can cause premature spoilage. You can also carefully cut off fruits that are still partially green but don’t recommend this as it can cause more ‘drop’ (unripe fruits falling from the tree).
When you’re done harvesting your lemons, store the fruits in the refrigerator to ensure they stay fresh. You can also freeze lemon juice to extend its shelf life. You can freeze both freshly squeezed juice or just cut up wedges of lemons to be used in recipes. Keeping your lemons refrigerated will ensure they stay fresh and delicious.
Cleaning Your Inside Lemon Tree
Proper cleaning of your inside lemon tree is necessary to keep it healthy and strong. Make sure to regularly wipe down your tree’s leaves to remove any dust and debris using a wet cloth or paper towel. Additionally, you should trim off any dead or dying foliage to make sure your plant isn’t getting ridden with pests and fungus. Also keep an eye out for any signs of mould or decay, and be sure to prune off any affected leaves or stems immediately.
When it comes to cleaning the soil, first use a spade to carefully remove any debris from the top layer of the soil, like dead leaves and dead roots. Then you can use a handheld vacuum to suck up any free-floating soil and dust particles. Finally, you can use a fungicide to treat any soil that may have been affected by fungus. Once you’ve done all this, your inside lemon tree will be good as new and you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of growing your own citrus fruit.
