Lemon

Profile

Family

Rutaceae

Habit

Shrub

Height

6 m

Spread

4 m

Growth

medium

Lifespan

70 years

First yield

after 6 years

Hardiness

zone 10–12

Shade tolerance

full sun

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam

Soil moisture

dry – very moist

pH

5.5 – 6.5

Synonyms

Citrus × limon, Lemon-tree, Mandarin lime

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Fruits are utilized in beverages for their sour taste and to flavor foods, containing essential oils in the skin. They can also be used in salad dressings and preservation. Yields can reach 10–40 tons per hectare, offering around 400–1600 calories per square meter. Dried leaves are employed to add flavor to tea.

Medicinal: Fruit juice has antibacterial properties, is highly alkalizing, and packed with vitamin C. It can assist with sore throats, fever (e.g., in malaria), rheumatic diseases, varicose veins, bruises, and enhances tanning. The essential oil derived from the fruit is stimulating and is known for its refreshing qualities in aromatherapy. The stem bark of the fruit is bitter, provides strength, and aids digestion.

Other uses: Use seed oil soap, dried fruit peel with 0.4% oil and aroma, insect repellent, fruit juice, and skin and hair wash for polishing bronze and metals, removing stains, bleaching, and caring for wood.

Growing

Prefers a moderately heavy soil with plenty of compost and sand, in a sunny spot. The ideal pH range is between 5 and 6, although they can tolerate pH levels from 4.8 to 8.3 but dislike waterlogged conditions. For potted plants, a mix of loam, leaf compost, and charcoal works well, avoiding manure. Water carefully to prevent yellowing and plant death - only water when the soil is nearly dry, avoiding complete dryness. This lemon variety is the most resilient, enduring temperatures as low as -6°C when dormant, after a gradual cooling period. Sudden temperature drops below 0°C can harm actively growing plants. Spring growth is frost-sensitive, so shelter from morning sun is recommended. Maintain a minimum winter temperature of 4°C. A small to medium-sized tree, nearly thornless, vigorous, and fruitful, likely a hybrid of C. limon. Grafting onto hardier species like C. aurantium or Poncirus trifoliata enhances cold resistance and widens its climate adaptability. Fragrant flowers bloom, and plants should be settled in their permanent spot early to avoid root disturbance. Exercise caution when repotting potted plants into larger containers.

Propagation

Sow the seeds in a greenhouse right after they ripen, following a thorough rinse. For stored seeds, plant them in March. Germination typically takes 2-3 weeks at 13°C. To prevent damping-off disease, water the seedlings cautiously and ensure good ventilation. The seeds are usually polyembryonic, each producing two or more genetically identical seedlings. Transplant the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough, and keep them in the greenhouse for a minimum of three growing seasons before moving them outdoors. Plant them in the summer and shield them from cold in their initial winters outside. Take cuttings from semi-ripe shoots in July/August within a frame for easy propagation of this species. Layering can be done in October.

Notable

Special features: roots 1-2m deep, so plant early enough in a deep pot (pot culture): in winter between 4-10°C, in summer sunny and sheltered from the wind; water abundantly, allowing the root ball to dry out in between; indoor cultivation must be pollinated by hand; fruit ripens after 4-12 months, can remain ripe for another 6 months.

Origin & habitat

The plant's original habitat is unknown, but it is likely a hybrid of C. limon x C. sinensis.

Riverbanks, sand, open forests, forest edges, and rocky slopes are impacted by erosion.

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