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.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Often confused withCitrus x limon 'Meyer'
Fills a similar nicheCitrus x aurantiumCitrus x paradisiCitrus x sinensis
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Edible; Houseplant; Tree
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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
24-60 feet
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Open; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Crenate; Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Fragrant; Good Cut; Long-lasting
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
New leaves are reddish but turn dark green as they mature. The underside of the leaf is light green in color.
Flower color
Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
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.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer; Winter
Fruit color
Gold/Yellow
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Edible; Fragrant; Long-lasting; Showy
Fruit size
> 3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Fruit detail
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.
Bark color
Dark Brown
Stem color
Green
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Distribution
All tropical, sub-tropical regions around the world
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.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants; Lawn; Patio
Landscape theme
Edible Garden
Design feature
Flowering Tree; Small Tree
Garden tags
#yellow fruits #edible fruits #evergreen tree #evergreen #problem for dogs #problem for horses #problem for cats #contact dermatitis #frost tender #houseplant #showy #fragrant fruits #fragrant leaves #tropical feel #white flowers #container plant #fragrant flowers #shade intolerant #thorns #medicinal #fruit tree #citrus fragrance #acidic soils tolerant #hortcontest
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Contact Dermatitis; Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses; Spines/Thorns
Resistant to
Heavy Shade; Wet Soil
Propagation
Grafting; Seed
Poison severity
Low
Poison symptoms
Vomiting, diarrhea, depression; potential dermatitis. The fruit is edible, skins and plant material can cause problems.
Toxic principle
Essential oils and psoralens, geraniol, citral and d-limonene