Embrace Greenery: A Comprehensive Guide on How to Grow Lemon Seeds

If you’ve always loved the tangy flavor of lemons and love a bit of greenery too, why not combine both passions by growing lemon seeds? It’s a rewarding, green-fingered project and doesn’t need a lot of space. It’s easier than you might think, it’s sustainable, and it can even save you money in the long run! Let’s get started with this lemony adventure.

1. Gathering Your Lemon Seeds

Always start with a fresh lemon; organic ones are the best. Slice the lemon down the middle and remove a seed. Try to choose a seed that’s plump and full. Carefully remove the outer layer of the seed to optimize growth. This is your first step towards a homegrown lemon tree.

Wash the seed to remove any sugar coating, this is because sugar can lead to fungal issues, thus impeding the growth. You can use warm water to cleanse it thoroughly and pat dry using a paper towel.

2. Germinating the Seeds

Take a paper towel, fold it twice and make it moist but not dripping wet. Place your washed seeds on the paper towel, fold it to cover the seeds, and place the towel with seeds in a plastic bag. Make sure to leave the bag slightly open for air circulation.

Place the bag in a warm location like a windowsill, and within two weeks, you should see sprouts appearing. Patience is the key here; good things take time.

3. Planting the Seedling

When the sprout is about 2 inches long, it’s time to plant it. Choose a pot that’s at least 5-6 inches deep and equally wide with drainage holes at the bottom. Fill it with good quality potting soil until it’s about an inch from the rim.

You can create a half-inch hole in the center of the pot, place your young sprout, and cover it with soil. Make sure the seedling’s top is only slightly under the soil, not deep inside. Water it lightly but generously.

4. Taking Care of the Seedling

Lemon trees love light; thus, your little sapling requires 10-14 hours of sunlight daily. If that’s not possible, you can supplement sunlight with a grow light. Temperature is also critical; maintain your room temperature between 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Watering should be done when the top soil feels dry, and never let the pot’s bottom stand in the water. Your little lemon plant also needs regular feeding, so be sure to use a slow-release fertilizer specifically designed for citrus trees.

5. Transplanting and Final Growth

Once your plant becomes too big for its initial pot, it’s time to move it to a bigger home. Choose a pot large enough to accommodate the growing roots. However, frequent transplanting is not advisable as it can stress the plant. Once planted, continue watering and feeding the plant as before.

The wait for seeing the first fruit can be longer than expected, often several years, but the process is rewarding. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the beautiful foliage and the intoxicating aroma of blossoms.