Citrus x limon 'Meyer'
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Citrus ‘Meyer’
- Citrus x meyeri
- Phonetic Spelling
- SI-trus LEE-mown
- Description
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The Meyer Lemon is a small tree most commonly grown as an ornamental, though the fruits are edible. It can be very productive, producing lemons that are sweeter with thinner rinds than grocery varieties. It is a cross between a citron and a mandarin/pomelo hybrid distinct from the common or bitter lemon
Grow in full sun to partial shade and consistently moist, well-drained soil. It prefers drying out and then receiving a good watering. The best performance and fruit production occur in full sun.
Fertilize only while growing, spring to fall, and reduce watering during winter months. If bringing the plant indoors continue the every 3-month fertilization program as it will continue to bloom and produce fruit. Prune branches to improve airflow and maintain a smaller size. Fruit clusters can also be pruned to 1 or 2 fruits to produce larger, healthier fruit. As it cannot survive frosts and can be grown in a container and brought inside for the winter in zones below 8b or 9a. When indoors, keep in a sunny location, south-facing windows providing the most sun. In order to produce fruit indoors, hand-pollinate flowers.
Pests: Watch for mites, scale insects, whiteflies, aphids and caterpillars. If you notice ants on the plant outdoors in spring it may indicate scale issues. Use soap or oil-based insecticide to control pests.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
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- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Citrus
- Species:
- x limon
- Family:
- Rutaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Wildlife Value:
- Swallowtail butterfly larvae will feed on young leaves.
- Play Value:
- Edible fruit
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Edibility:
- Fruits are edible, tasting sweeter than common lemons when mature.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Spines
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11b, 11a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Orange
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- A type of thick-skinned berry called a hesperidium. Classic lemon shape, oval with pointed ends, green when immature and yellow to orange when ripe. Bears fruit mostly in fall and winter, but may produce in spring for houseplants. Can take 6-9 months to fully ripen. It tastes sweeter than common lemons.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Winter
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Clusters of 5-petaled, white, incredibly fragrant flowers. Buds have a slight purplish tinge before opening. Blooms year-round in an adequate climate.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Smooth
- Waxy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Elliptical leaves with a glabrous, shiny surface. Margins may be smooth (entire) or notched (crenate).
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Black
- Dark Brown
- Light Brown
- Bark Description:
- Tan with dark brown or black striping.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Young growth is green and zigzag. Both young and old-growth have a few thorns.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Houseplants
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Small Tree
- Specimen