Can you grow a lemon tree from seed? Yes. To grow lemon tree from seed, plant fresh seeds about 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep in moist potting mix. They sprout in two to eight weeks. Expect a leafy houseplant: seedlings are rarely true to the parent, and Michigan State Extension notes they can take about 10 years to fruit.
Key takeaway: When you grow lemon tree from seed, sprouting is easy and fun, but fruit is a long shot. For reliable lemons, buy a named dwarf or grafted variety or root a cutting. Treat your seedling as a bright-light houseplant.
| Stage | What to expect | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Planting depth | About 1 in (2.5 cm) | Iowa State Extension |
| Germination time | 2–3 weeks, up to 6–8 weeks | Iowa State Extension |
| Ideal temperature | 55–85°F (13–29°C) | UW–Madison Extension |
| Light for fruiting | At least 6 hours direct sun or supplemental light | UW–Madison Extension |
| Years to fruit from seed | About 10 years, if ever indoors | MSU Extension via Ask Extension |
| Pot size for years | 10–12 in (25–30 cm) | UW–Madison Extension |
If You Grow Lemon Tree From Seed, Will It Fruit?
Sometimes, but not soon and not reliably. Most people who grow lemon tree from seed get a handsome houseplant first. A Michigan State University Extension Master Gardener answering on Ask Extension said Meyer lemon seeds will grow but will not be true to the parent and can take about 10 years to fruit.
Iowa State Extension adds that citrus grown from seed seldom produces fruit indoors.
UW–Madison Extension explains why: citrus cross-pollinates freely, so seedlings differ from the parent. It recommends buying a known variety instead. If fruit is your main goal, compare options in our hydroponic lemon tree guide and hydroponic dwarf fruit trees.
How Do You Grow Lemon Tree From Seed Step by Step?
Remove seeds from a fresh lemon, rinse off the pulp and plant them right away. Iowa State Extension says to sow citrus seeds about 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep in a pot of potting soil, water and keep the soil moist until they sprout. Use a well-drained mix, because UW–Madison warns citrus needs soil that is moist but never soggy.
- Choose plump seeds from a ripe, fresh lemon.
- Rinse off pulp and sugars so they do not mold.
- Fill a small pot with well-drained potting mix with drainage holes.
- Plant seeds about 1 in (2.5 cm) deep.
- Water and cover loosely with plastic to hold moisture.
- Keep the pot warm and the mix evenly moist.
- Move seedlings to a sunny window once they emerge.
A warm spot speeds things up. A seedling heat mat and humidity dome helps in a cool house.
How Long Does It Take to Grow Lemon Tree From Seed?
Lemon seeds usually take two to three weeks to sprout, but Iowa State Extension notes germination can take as long as six to eight weeks. Keep the mix moist but not wet during that time, and do not give up too early. Once seedlings emerge, give them the brightest window you have or a grow light.
Do not let the pot sit cold on a windowsill in winter. UW–Madison Extension says citrus grows best at 55–85°F (13–29°C), so a warm room helps both germination and early growth. If nothing sprouts, check for rot and see hydroponic seeds not germinating.
Is a Lemon Seedling True to Type?
Usually not, which is the main catch when you grow lemon tree from seed. Many lemons, including Meyer, are hybrids. UW–Madison Extension says citrus grown from seed is unlikely to produce the same type of fruit as the parent, and Michigan State Extension notes Meyer seedlings will not be true to the parent.
Your tree may have different fruit, more thorns or a larger size than the lemon you started with.
To get the same lemon, UW–Madison says cultivars can be propagated from semi-soft stem cuttings in spring or summer. Most commercial trees are grafted onto a rootstock. Learn the tradeoffs in seed vs clone cuttings.
How Do You Care for a Lemon Seedling Indoors?
After you grow lemon tree from seed to a few leaves, give it bright light, warmth, well-drained soil and regular feeding. UW–Madison recommends a south or southwest window or plant lights, temperatures of 55–85°F (13–29°C), and watering that keeps the mix moist but lets it dry slightly between waterings.
Citrus are heavy feeders and need more nitrogen than phosphorus or potassium, such as a 2-1-1 ratio fertilizer.
- Light: as bright as possible; supplemental light if under 6 hours of direct sun.
- Water: deep and infrequent; cupped or yellow leaves can signal overwatering.
- Feeding: dilute soluble fertilizer April through September, with trace iron, zinc and manganese.
- Pots: start small and move up; UW–Madison says 10–12 in (25–30 cm) pots can hold citrus for several years.
- Summer: move outside once nights stay above 50°F (10°C), acclimating over 1–2 weeks.
What Pests Affect Indoor Lemon Trees?
Indoors, the most common pests are brown soft scale and two-spotted spider mites, according to UW–Madison Extension, with occasional aphids, mealybugs and whiteflies. Wash foliage periodically to deter them. Insecticidal soap, horticultural oil or wiping scale off by hand can help, and multiple treatments are usually needed. Always follow label directions.
Whether you grow lemon tree from seed or buy a grafted plant, dry indoor air in winter favors mites, so inspect leaf undersides often. Our aphids and mites guide covers early detection.
FAQ: Grow Lemon Tree From Seed
How long until a seed-grown lemon tree fruits?
About 10 years, per MSU Extension, and indoor seedlings seldom fruit.
Do I need to dry lemon seeds before planting?
No. Plant fresh seeds after rinsing off the pulp.
Can I grow a lemon tree from seed in water?
Seeds can sprout in damp media, but move seedlings to well-drained mix to avoid rot.
Will a Meyer lemon seed grow a Meyer lemon?
No. Meyer is a hybrid, so seedlings are not true to type.
How big will a seed-grown lemon tree get?
It can outgrow indoor space; Iowa State notes seedlings may eventually get too big.
Sources
- Iowa State University Extension — Can I germinate the seeds from a grapefruit?
- University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension — Indoor Citrus
- Ask Extension (Michigan State University Extension) — Propagating the Meyer Lemon
- Photo credits (Wikimedia Commons, edited with titles): Green lemon plant by AhmadElq (CC BY-SA 4.0); Fraxinus excelsior and Citrus sinensis seedlings by Eiku (CC BY-SA 4.0); Tredegar House, The Orangery, Potted lemon tree – geograph.org.uk – 6890072 by Michael Garlick (CC BY-SA 2.0); A citrus plant by Haoreima (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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