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Meyer Lemon Citrus x limon 'Meyer'

Previously known as:

  • Citrus ‘Meyer’
  • Citrus x meyeri
Phonetic Spelling
SI-trus LEE-mown
Description

Meyer lemon is a small, broadleaf, evergreen, flowering, woody tree in the Rutaceae (citrus) family. It is most commonly grown as an ornamental, though the fruits are edible. Native to China and introduced into the United States by Frank Meyer in the early 1900s, it is a cross between a citron and a mandarin-pomelo hybrid, distinct from the common or bitter lemon.

Grow it 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. Prune branches to improve airflow and maintain a smaller size. Fruit clusters can also be pruned to one or two fruits to produce larger, healthier fruit. 

As it cannot survive frosts, the Meyer lemon is best grown in a container so that it can be 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 and continue to fertilize every three months.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Watch for mites, scale insects, whiteflies, aphids, and caterpillars. If you notice ants on the plant outdoors in spring it may indicate scale issues. 

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common citrus insect and related pests.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

More information on Citrus x limon.

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Tags:
#thorns#evergreen#fragrant flowers#houseplant#broadleaf evergreen#winter interest#flowering tree#year-round interest#fruit tree#spines#ornamentals#long bloom time#edible fruits#evergreen tree#citrus fragrance#butterfly friendly#ebh-fn#bee friendly#container plant#vhfn#vhfn-f
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#thorns#evergreen#fragrant flowers#houseplant#broadleaf evergreen#winter interest#flowering tree#year-round interest#fruit tree#spines#ornamentals#long bloom time#edible fruits#evergreen tree#citrus fragrance#butterfly friendly#ebh-fn#bee friendly#container plant#vhfn#vhfn-f
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Perennial
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
    Appendage:
    Spines
  • 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, 11a, 11b
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Black
    Dark Brown
    Light Brown
    Bark Description:
    Tan with dark brown or black striping.
  • 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.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Houseplants
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Flowering Tree
    Small Tree
    Specimen