Overview

Cultivate your own delicious citrus fruits with this beautiful meyer lemon tree live plant. Known for its smaller, sweeter, and less acidic fruit compared to traditional lemons, the Meyer lemon is a hybrid citrus fruit native to China, believed to be a cross between a true lemon and a mandarin orange. This 3-year-old specimen is grown in a 3-gallon container, ensuring a robust and established plant ready to thrive in your garden or on your patio. Its compact size makes it an excellent choice for container gardening, allowing even those with limited space to enjoy the beauty and bounty of a citrus tree. Beyond its delectable fruit, this fruit bearing lemon tree offers ornamental value with its glossy, dark green foliage and highly fragrant white blossoms that can perfume your outdoor living areas. It’s a popular choice for home gardeners due to its relative ease of care and its ability to produce fruit within a year under optimal conditions, making it a rewarding addition to any plant collection.

The Meyer lemon (Citrus × meyeri) is celebrated not only for its superior flavor but also for its ornamental appeal. Unlike many citrus varieties, the meyer lemon tree live plant is known for its cold hardiness, making it suitable for a wider range of climates, particularly in USDA zones where other citrus might struggle. This particular plant has reached a mature enough stage to begin bearing fruit, offering the exciting prospect of harvesting your own lemons soon after planting. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting, this tree provides an accessible entry into the world of homegrown citrus, promising both aesthetic pleasure and culinary delight.

Key Benefits

Adding a meyer lemon tree live plant to your home or garden brings a multitude of advantages, enhancing both your landscape and your culinary experiences. Here are some of the key benefits:

• Sweet, Flavorful Fruit: Enjoy a continuous supply of sweet, thin-skinned Meyer lemons, perfect for cooking, baking, drinks, or simply enjoying fresh. Their unique flavor profile is highly prized by chefs and home cooks alike.
• Fragrant Blooms: The tree produces beautiful, highly fragrant white flowers that fill the air with a delightful citrus scent, especially prominent in spring. These blossoms are not only lovely to look at but also attract beneficial pollinators to your garden.
• Ornamental Value: With its glossy, dark green leaves and vibrant yellow fruit, this cold hardy citrus tree adds year-round beauty to any setting, whether it’s a sunny spot in your garden or a bright corner on your patio.
• Cold Hardiness: Unlike many citrus varieties, Meyer lemons exhibit a good degree of cold tolerance, making them suitable for growing in a broader range of climates. This makes it a more forgiving option for gardeners in cooler regions.
• Container Friendly: This 3 gallon meyer lemon is an ideal choice for container gardening, allowing you to easily move it indoors during colder months or reposition it for optimal sunlight. Its manageable size makes it perfect for patios, balconies, and small gardens.
• Early Fruit Production: As a 3-year-old plant, this tree is already established and has the potential to start producing its delicious fruit within the first year of planting, offering quick gratification for your gardening efforts.
• Versatile Use: The fruit from your fruit bearing lemon tree can be used in countless ways, from making lemonade and cocktails to enhancing savory dishes, desserts, and preserves.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Ensuring the health and productivity of your meyer lemon tree live plant requires attention to its specific needs. Proper care will lead to abundant fruit and a beautiful, thriving tree. Meyer lemons generally prefer a location with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. If growing indoors, place it near a south-facing window or use supplemental grow lights to ensure it receives adequate light. Rotate the plant periodically to ensure even growth. For outdoor planting, choose a sunny, sheltered spot that protects it from strong winds.

Watering is crucial for citrus trees. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering can cause stress and fruit drop. Use a moisture meter or simply feel the soil to determine when to water. During hotter months or when the tree is actively fruiting, it may require more frequent watering. Ensure good drainage, especially if growing in a container. A well-draining potting mix specifically formulated for citrus or acid-loving plants is ideal. The pH level of the soil should be slightly acidic, between 6.0 and 7.0.

Meyer lemons are relatively cold hardy compared to other citrus, tolerating temperatures down to about 20-25°F (-4 to -7°C) for short periods. However, for continuous health and fruit production, it’s best to protect them from prolonged freezing temperatures. If you live in a colder climate (outside USDA zones 9-11), consider growing your cold hardy citrus tree in a container so it can be moved indoors during winter. Fertilize your meyer lemon plant care with a balanced citrus fertilizer during the growing season (spring through fall), following the product instructions. Look for fertilizers that include micronutrients like iron, zinc, and manganese, which are essential for citrus health. Pruning can be done to maintain shape, remove dead or crossing branches, and encourage better air circulation and fruit production. Pests like aphids, spider mites, and scale can sometimes affect citrus trees. Inspect your plant regularly and treat any infestations promptly with organic pest control methods or appropriate insecticides.

Size & Details

This meyer lemon tree live plant is a 3-year-old specimen, cultivated in a durable 3-gallon nursery pot. At this age, the tree has developed a strong root system and a healthy canopy, typically standing between 2-3 feet tall at the time of shipment, though exact dimensions may vary slightly depending on recent growth and pruning. Meyer lemons are known for their relatively compact growth habit, making them an excellent choice for container gardening. When mature, they generally reach a height of 6-10 feet with a similar spread if planted in the ground, or they can be kept smaller through regular pruning in a pot. The tree ships as a live, potted plant, complete with its existing soil and root ball, minimizing transplant shock and preparing it for immediate integration into your garden or patio. Expect this fruit bearing lemon tree to begin producing its characteristic sweet, thin-skinned fruit within one year of planting, given proper care and environmental conditions. The glossy green foliage and fragrant white flowers contribute to its aesthetic appeal throughout the year, even when not in fruit.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this meyer lemon tree live plant get? A: This 3-year-old plant is typically 2-3 feet tall when shipped in its 3-gallon pot. When mature, it can reach 6-10 feet tall if planted in the ground, but it can be maintained at a smaller size through pruning if grown in a container.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Meyer lemon trees can be grown both indoors and outdoors. They thrive outdoors in USDA zones 9-11. In colder climates, they are best grown in containers and brought indoors during winter to protect them from frost.
• Q: How much sunlight does a cold hardy citrus tree need? A: Meyer lemon trees require at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to produce fruit effectively. If grown indoors, place it in the brightest available location, ideally near a south-facing window.
• Q: What condition will the 3 gallon meyer lemon arrive in? A: Your plant will arrive as a healthy, live, potted tree in its 3-gallon nursery container, with its root ball intact and protected. It will be ready for immediate planting or placement.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, Meyer lemon trees are considered relatively easy to care for, especially compared to other citrus varieties. They require consistent watering, plenty of sunlight, and regular fertilization. Following basic meyer lemon plant care guidelines will ensure a thriving tree.
• Q: How long until this fruit bearing lemon tree produces fruit? A: As a 3-year-old established plant, this Meyer lemon tree is expected to start producing fruit within one year of planting, given proper care and favorable growing conditions.
• Q: What is the best soil type for a Meyer lemon tree? A: Meyer lemon trees prefer a well-draining, slightly acidic soil mix. A good quality potting mix designed for citrus or acid-loving plants is recommended, especially for container growing.
• Q: How often should I water my Meyer lemon tree? A: Water thoroughly when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. The frequency will depend on factors like temperature, humidity, and pot size. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
• Q: Can I use the lemons in cooking? A: Absolutely! Meyer lemons are highly prized for their sweet, less acidic flavor and thin skin, making them excellent for a wide range of culinary uses, including baking, drinks, sauces, and savory dishes.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: This cold hardy citrus tree can tolerate temperatures down to 20-25°F for short periods. If your winter temperatures consistently drop below this range, it’s best to grow it in a container and move it indoors during the colder months.