Citrus x limon
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Citrus limona
- Citrus X meyeri
- Phonetic Spelling
- SI-trus LEE-mown
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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The lemon is a species of small evergreen trees in the Rutaceae family that grows 10 to 20 feet tall and usually has sharp thorns on its twigs. It is a hybrid citrus that produces bright yellow fruits that have a tart, acidic taste. Some research has found that the lemon might have originated in northern India. It is not cold hardy so in cooler zones, it can be grown in a container that can be overwintered indoors in a well-lit area that is not too warm. Plants respond well to being placed outdoors during the summer months in cold climates. In its hardiness zones, it will bloom all year and keep its leaves all year.
The lemon requires full sun, protected from the wind. They need plenty of water during the growing season and regular small applications of nitrogenous fertilizer to promote growth and fruit size. It prefers a pH of 5 - 6 but will tolerate a neutral or alkaline range as well. They need very little pruning, only to keep its shape. Lemons are propagated by seed.
Lemon has many medicinal uses including as a preventive. Lemon is high in Vitamin C which is good for the body. The juice is a good astringent, a diuretic, as an antioxidant, can be used in a gargle to help sore throats and prevent colds, and also as an antibacterial. It can aid in digestion and reduce gas. Overuse can impact tooth enamel.
Plant outside for year-round enjoyment in the proper hardiness zone or put in a planter for movement inside when the weather turns cold. Lemon dislikes root disturbance so it should be placed in its permanent location outside when young. If growing them in pots, great care must be taken when moving them to larger containers.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant may cause contact dermatitis in some people. Insect and disease problems may include mealybugs, red spiders, scale, citrus canker, sooty mold, aphids, anthracnose, fuzzy gray mold and brown spots, and lemon scab.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common citrus insect and related pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- 'Meyer'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- 'Meyer'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Citrus
- Species:
- limon
- Family:
- Rutaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Lemon juice, fresh, canned, concentrated and frozen, or dehydrated and powdered, is primarily used for lemonade, in carbonated beverages, or other drinks. It is also used for making pies and tarts, as a flavoring for cakes, cookies, cake icings, puddings, sherbet, hard candy, preserves and pharmaceutical products. It is also used in salad dressings. Slices of lemon are served as a garnish on fish or meat or with iced or hot tea which allows it to be added to the drink. Lemon peel oil is used in furniture polishes, detergents, soaps, and shampoos. The fruit contains bergapten, which is used in tanning lotions as it promotes pigmentation in the skin. The leaves are used in wreaths and bouquets due to their dark green color and lemony fragrance.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Grafting
- Seed
- Distribution:
- All tropical, sub-tropical regions around the world
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Colorful
- Edible fruit
- Fragrance
- Edibility:
- It's fruits are edible
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Houseplant
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Open
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Thorns
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fragrant
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit is oval and very aromatic, with a nipple-like protrusion at the end of the fruit. The fruit is light to bright yellow in color.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Winter
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Mildly fragrant flowers may be solitary, or there may be two or more. Buds are reddish. Once open, the flowers are white on upper surface, purplish beneath.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- New leaves are reddish but turn dark green as they mature. The underside of the leaf is light green in color.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Lawn
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Flowering Tree
- Small Tree
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heavy Shade
- Wet Soil
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Spines/Thorns
