Learn about transplanting and growing an indoor Dwarf Meyer Lemon tree indoors, its basic care, and why you might want to try this specific type of citrus tree.
After owning a Dwarf Meyer Lemon Tree for a few years now, I was pretty sure I should repot it. However, I was hesitant because it was doing well, and I hated to upset the apple cart.
What is a Dwarf Meyer Lemon Tree?
A Meyer lemon is thought to be a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange. The juices are definitely sweeter than a typical lemon. A Dwarf Meyer lemon tree is a great option for growing lemon trees indoors that bear fruit. Even if your hardiness zone is less than 9, like me, if you live in a warmer climate such as ca, az, or tx then you could probably grow these fruit trees outdoors all year round. Many also say that the Dwarf Meyer Lemon is the hardiest and most productive of all dwarf citrus trees.
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Repotting an Indoor Lemon Tree
However, once while I was moving it from the sink to the plant stand I dropped it! Now I had no choice but to repot.
I purchased a pot a little larger than the original at Home Depot.
I wanted something that was lightweight, the right size, and one with really good drainage. This one has several nice drainage holes and some feet to raise the pot. However, it also had this saucer attached to it which, although looks nice, may cause problems with water buildup. So, I removed it and replaced it with an inexpensive plastic saucer that was a little wider than the pot.
This way I can see if there is any standing water, which you don't want. Everything I've read about dwarf Meyer lemon trees, and have experienced with most plants, is that they hate wet feet. In fact, if you notice that the leaves start turning yellow and drop it may be due to overwatering and possible root rot.
Upon removing the tree from the original pot, I noticed that the root ball looked pretty good. The roots weren't winding around the ball and had good color and it wasn't overly dry.
I removed any loose planting material before setting the tree into its new pot. Put some potting soil in the new pot first. Maybe about 1/4-1/3 full.
Dwarf Meyer Lemon Tree Soil
The grower recommends using a coarse well-draining potting mix. I ended up using a good standard potting soil and mixed it with perlite
Set the tree in the pot and continue filling with soil. Make sure that you leave some room at the top. About 1.5 inches with the crown roots just above the soil line. Then give it a good watering.
Watering a Dwarf Meyer Indoor Lemon Tree
I like to put mine in the sink. Some people swear by slow-release fertilizer but in my research and experience, I found using a high nitrogen fertilizer, like Miracid works well. I mix a spoonful with a quart of water and pour it on the plant. Most will drain into the sink. I'll let it sit for a few minutes while I water other plants. Then I'll tilt the plant and make sure all the excess water drains out. I only water every other week and sometimes less in the winter as that is its normal dormancy period.
Once it has finished draining move it (don't drop it) to its normal location. Mine is in the dining room with north facing windows. That's not quite enough sunlight. A south-facing window would be better. So I have a grow light, a full-spectrum bulb on a timer for 14 hours a day, to make sure it gets adequate light even during the winter.
After dropping this pot I decided it was getting too big and too heavy for me to water at the sink so I made a rolling plant stand out of a small cart. Now I can easily roll it to the kitchen sink or anywhere I want to take it.
You can see I have a few lemons that will be ready to harvest soon. They typically take about 9 months to fully ripen. Just like a human child. I don't mind because I really enjoy their beauty on the tree.
And, you can see it is already starting to put on new growth.
It's also flowering and boy do the blossoms smell great.
Interested in growing your own Dwarf Meyer Lemon Tree? Mine was purchased from Four Winds Growers. They have great information on growing all kinds of citrus trees and indoor gardening information.
More Houseplant Tips & Ideas
Jean Bjork
What is crown root? I got a mini Myers Lemon Tree/plant
for Mother's Day and figuring out what to do with it?
Patti Estep
Jean the crown root also sometimes called the collar is the part of the tree that sits at the soil level just above the root system. I'm sure you can google it for an image if that helps.
Alison
I just got my dwarf meyer lemon last week. It is about 3.5 feet tall. No buds but the tree looks like it is very healthy. I wanted to use a terra cotta pot but thought it would be too heavy. I bought a pot similar to yours, I took some broken terra cotta pots and broke them into 1-2” pieces and put them in the bottom of the pot so any standing water won’t be on the roots. I’m hoping that will work well and still keep the pot light enough for me to carry it outside and inside as needed.
Patti Estep
Alison, broken terra cotta may help and if you are using the soil that the grower had the tree in it's probably already good for drainage too. Enjoy your new tree.
Victor Lamson
Hello,
My grandmother purchased my tree in June of 1966. When she passed in 2004, I took on the obligation of nurturing it because it fascinated me as a child. It stands approximately 5 feet tall, and is potted in what I believe to be a 40 gallon container. Since I live in southeast Tennessee, I move it from it's indoor to outdoor locations around April and November depending on the weather forecast. I honestly don't believe I water it as often as I should, (because she told me prior to her passing that she gave it 1 gallon/day) and would like any recommendations if you can offer them. Additionally, I'd like to repot it soon since I believe it's very much past due (6 times that I'm aware of within these 53 years, but it's been in this container for at least 40). The yeild has varied from year to year since I've had it, with a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 36 {last year). This spring, it had nearly 80 observable lemons, yet all but 2 have fallen off. Granted, they are large and healthy. Due to the fact that this was my grandmother's pride and joy (insofar as her green thumb was concerned), my worries aren't so much about production, but longevity for the plant itself. What in your opinion can I do to insure the survival of my beloved tree for the next 50 years? Thank you for any help you can provide.
Patti Estep
Wow Victor, that sounds amazing. My best advice is to use a well draining soil when and if you repot your tree. I have had problems when the soil held too much water. Consider adding some perlite to regular potting soil. Also, I feed my tree with Miracid. Usually once a week. This is a 30-10-10 fertilizer that is recommended for citrus trees. Good luck and enjoy your Meyer Lemons.
Alicia Smith
Hi Patti,
I bought a dwarf myer lemon plant last year and kept it on my patio during the summer. I brought it in the house over the winter (I live in Kansas City, Mo) and managed to keep it alive. I have one lemon that is about 7 or months old now, still green, but it is a large one. All the other blossoms fall off after a week or so. I have done well keeping the pest down except periodically a see a centipede, not sure how to rid myself of them. I know I need to replant in larger pot and prune, but I am afraid if I do I will lose the one lemon I have. Should I replant or wait? Leave inside or move outside since it is summer now?
Thanks for your help,
Alicia
Patti Estep
Alicia, My lemons seem to be ripe around 9 months. I would wait to re-pot. However, I don't think it would hurt to prune it now. This is the time of year where it will start to put on new growth. I'm getting ready to move mine outside for the summer. I also think that would be a good idea. Just make sure that you slowly introduce it to the outside by starting in a shady protected area and increasing the light daily if you can. Also, be sure that it drains really well as you never know when or how much it will rain. The last thing this plant likes is sitting in water. Finally, if you haven't tried a fertilizer I'd try Miracid. This may help and as it is the growing season now is a good time to feed the plant.
Geneva Johnson
I have a Meyer lemon tree that is not doing well because of our hotter than usual summer and tons of rain. My lemons are bright yellow but only about the size of a fifty cent piece. The leaves are curling which makes it look like it needs water but we had about 2-3 inches of rain this morning and it was already very wet from rains earlier in the week. There are also no new blooms on it. I live about 100 miles North of Houston TX and we hardly get winter weather. It is October 22 and I feel if I don't repot I will lose my tree. Help please
Patti Estep
Hi Geneva,
I would try to move the pot out of the rain and let it dry out a bit if you can. I found that too much water really hurt my tree. Another thing I would suggest is after it dries out try fertilizing the plant with Miracid. You can find it at any nursery. Dilute it a bit and that may also give the plant a boost. Hope that helps!
meyerslemontreegrower
if you are in Los Angeles or the Souther California area you can get meyers Lemon trees from http://paradisenursery.com/product/meyers-improved-lemon-trees/
Antoinette
I have a lemon tree that is too large to bring indoors. What can I do to protect it from the winter?
Patti
Antoinette,
I really don't know enough to accurately help in this case. I would guess that would depend on where you live. I don't think citrus tree would survive where I live. I suggest you try fourwindsgrowers.com which is where my lemon came from. They have a lot of good information on their site.
kim pinnix
Hi Patti,
I was wondering if you use anything to keep pests away from the lemon tree? Mine had some white bugs on it & I wanted something natural to spray on it. Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks!
Patti
Hi Kim,
Sounds like you have white fly. I have be fortunate enough so far to be pest free. I would try insecticidal soap. It is natural and known for helping with white flies. You can buy it at any garden center, big box store, probably at the hardware store. Make sure you spray under the leaves.
Maria Soyoso-Capuder
I have the same issue with our dwarf Meyer lemon tree,we just had our backyard screen and still seeing some leaves that's probably eaten by bug.Tried the homemade Insecticide found in some bloggers w/c "Dishwasher soap and Water,and spray it all over leaves -didn't help at all.
Other issue,Patti-do you have ang recommendations in how to keep the tree hold up?Due to its fruits the three itself is bending down,I'm worried it might not hold to the weights of its fruits anymore.
Thanks Patti for posting this.Keep it up!
Patti Estep
Hi Maria,
It's always something, right? I hope you can get your dwarf Meyer back into shape. Regarding the weight issue. The only thing I can think of is to get a stake and tie it to the main trunk. My plant came with one and it really helps. The branches will still get heavy but so far it hasn't been to much of an issue.
Thanks for your wonderful comment and have a great week!
Patti
Carole West @ Garden Up Green
I'm so jealous, I tried an indoor lemon tree once and it didn't work out. Think it was lack of light even though I had them near the window. Our home is rather shaded so I don't bother much with indoor plants. However we plan to sell in the spring so perhaps in the future I can try again. Pinning for later. This is an excellent tutorial on repotting. Thanks a Bunch!
Patti
Thanks Carole. I know what you mean about lighting. I use a full spectrum light on several indoor plants but, I always say the next house will have more light and more sun in the yard.
Mona Wilkerson
Hi Patti, thanks for your helpful tips on repotting a Meyer Lemon Tree. I have had my lemon tree for fours years and I repotted it right after I purchased it. The first year the tree produced 24 lemons and the second year 32 lemons but it appears that tree may be stressed out. It is time to purchase a new pot along with potting soil.
Thanks,
Mona