How to grow lemons from seeds

Use another bucket to prepare the soil for planting (the type used for potted plants). Pour the soil into the large bucket and add water until it is moist. Use a trowel or your hands to mix it evenly. Do not let the soil become overly wet; otherwise, the seeds will rot. You need a well-draining soil. Lemons like water but do not want to be submerged in it.

• Try to find a sterilized soil mix. The sterilization process removes any bacteria that could harm the seeds.
• Consider buying a soil mix that includes peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, and organic compost. This soil drains well and provides nutrients for the seedlings.

Choose a small pot with drainage holes. The pot should be around 7.5-10 cm wide and 12.5-15 cm deep. Each pot is sufficient for planting one lemon seed. Many people prefer to plant multiple seeds in one pot at the same time. If you want to do the same, choose a larger pot.

• The pot must have drainage holes. If your pot does not have drainage holes, you will need to drill some yourself.

Fill the pot with soil. Add soil until there is about 2.5 cm of space left from the rim of the pot.

Create a small hole about 1 cm deep in the soil. You can use your finger or a pencil to make the hole.

Choose plump seeds from the lemon fruit. You may want to opt for organic lemons, as seeds from non-organic lemons might not germinate. Additionally, avoid selecting seeds that are too small (like rice grains) or shriveled (like raisins). These seeds are unlikely to sprout or grow into healthy seedlings.

• It’s recommended to plant 5-10 seeds at once, as some may fail to sprout or die during the seedling stage.
• Keep in mind that plants grown from seeds may not resemble the parent plant exactly. Sometimes, the young tree might produce lower-quality fruit or no fruit at all. However, this does not diminish the tree’s beauty. Remember this when planting the tree.

Wash the seeds to remove the sticky coating. You can rinse or rub the seeds until the gel-like coating is gone. This step is essential. The gel contains sugars that could cause the seeds to rot.

• You can place the lemon seeds in a cup of warm water and leave them overnight. This will help the seeds sprout more quickly.

Place the seed in the hole and cover it with soil. Be sure to position the small end of the seed facing down and the larger end facing up. The roots will grow from the small end of the seed.

Cover the pot with plastic wrap that has ventilation holes to maintain moisture and warmth. Start by placing the wrap over the top of the pot. Use a rubber band to secure it around the rim. Poke a few holes in the wrap using a pencil, toothpick, or even a fork. These holes will allow the plant to breathe.

Place the pot in a warm location. You can put it in a sunny spot, but direct sunlight is not crucial at this stage. In fact, too much sunlight can “cook” the delicate young plant. Within about two weeks, you should see the plant’s sprout emerging.

• The ideal temperature is between 20°C and 28°C.

Water when the soil feels dry. The plastic wrap helps to retain moisture, and the condensation that forms will drip back onto the soil, keeping it damp. However, this might not happen in overly dry conditions. If you notice the soil drying out, remove the wrap and water the plant. Be sure to replace the wrap after watering.

Remove the plastic wrap when the sprout appears, and move the pot to a warm, sunny spot. Keep the soil moist, but avoid over-watering. Press here to learn more about how to care for seedlings.

Moisten the paper towel and lay it flat. Begin by soaking the paper towel, then wring out any excess water. Spread it out flat and smooth it down.

• The size of the towel should match the size of the plastic bag with a zipper. If the towel is too large, fold it in half or quarters.

Take 5-10 plump seeds from an organic lemon. Non-organic lemon seeds often do not sprout. Choose large, healthy seeds. Discard any small, shriveled ones or those with white spots. These seeds may not germinate or develop into strong seedlings.

• Even if you only plan to grow one lemon tree, sowing multiple seeds is a smart idea. Not all seeds will sprout, and not all seedlings will survive.
• Be cautious not to sow too many seeds. Space them at least 8 cm apart to give them room to grow roots as they germinate.

Consider soaking the seeds in a cup of water overnight. This will help keep the seeds from drying out during the sowing process. Seeds must stay moist to germinate. They won’t sprout if they dry out.

Clean the gel-like membrane off each seed. You can wash the seeds with cold water or lick them clean. This gel contains sugar and can encourage mold and bacteria to grow.

Peel off the white outer layer to expose the brown seed inside. Begin peeling from the pointed end of the seed. You can use your fingernail or a utility knife to score the tip of the seed and peel off the outer layer. This will make the seed sprout more easily.

Remove the brown outer layer. You may notice a thin brown membrane around the seed. Use your fingernail to scrape off this layer.

Place the seeds on a damp paper towel. Try to arrange the seeds evenly so their roots don't get tangled as they begin to sprout.

Repeat the peeling process for the remaining seeds. As you wrap the seeds in the paper towel, ensure they stay moist. If the seeds begin to dry out, you can wrap another layer of damp paper towel around them. Be sure to remove this extra layer before proceeding to the next step.

Place the paper towel bundle into a zip-lock plastic bag and seal it tightly. Avoid using food-grade plastic bags. Make sure the bag is sealed to retain moisture and maintain the temperature, both of which are crucial for the seeds to germinate.

Place the plastic bag in a dark, warm spot until the seeds sprout. Keep the temperature between 20-22°C. This process usually takes 1-2 weeks, although some seedlings may take up to 3 weeks to sprout.

Plant when the root has grown to about 8 cm. Create a shallow hole in a pot with moist, well-draining soil and place the sprouting seed into it, with the root facing downward. Gently pat the soil around the seedling.

Place the pot in a warm, sunny spot. Be sure to water it regularly to keep the soil moist, but avoid making it waterlogged or too dry. Click here to learn how to care for your seedlings.

Water the plant regularly, about 2-3 times per week. Once the seedling has grown 4 leaves, allow the top of the soil to dry out before watering again. However, don't let the soil dry completely; it should still feel moist when you poke it with your finger.

Ensure the plant gets enough sunlight. Lemon trees require at least 8 hours of sunlight per day. Seedlings need 10-14 hours of sunlight daily. You might need to place a grow light next to the plant to ensure it receives enough light. Grow lights are available at gardening stores and nurseries.

Know when to repot your seedling. Eventually, the seedling will outgrow its pot. When the seedling is a year old, you should move it to a pot with a diameter of 15 cm. Later, you’ll need to transfer it to a pot with a diameter of 33 – 45 cm and a depth of 25-40 cm.

• The rule of thumb for determining when to repot is by checking the bottom of the pot. If you see the roots growing through the drainage holes, it’s time to get a larger pot.

Maintain the proper pH level in the soil. Lemon trees prefer slightly acidic soil. The pH of the soil should be kept between 5.7 and 6.5. You can measure the pH using a testing kit available at gardening stores or nurseries. One effective way to reduce acidity is by watering the plant once a month with cold black coffee (without sugar or milk). However, you need to keep monitoring the pH until it reaches the ideal level.

Ensure the plant receives enough nutrients to grow strong and healthy. You can dig a trench around the plant and add compost or apply liquid fertilizer. Here are some ways to provide the necessary nutrients:

• Fertilize the lemon tree twice a year with organic fertilizers like compost or worm castings.
• Every 2-4 weeks, water the plant with a water-soluble fertilizer. The fertilizer should have high potassium and magnesium content.
• If you plan to grow the tree indoors, choose a general-purpose fertilizer for houseplants. This type of fertilizer contains micronutrients.
• Once a month, water the plant with a solution of 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt and 2 liters of water. If the plant is still small, you don't need to water as much. Just use enough and save the rest for the next month.

Understand that lemon trees take time to bear fruit. Some varieties of lemon trees will produce fruit after 5 years, while others may take up to 15 years.

• Always keep the compost moist, but not soggy.
• Use a deep pot as lemon trees have long roots that require space to grow.
• Consider planting 5 seedlings in one pot. This will create a fuller and more bushy plant, and it helps prevent overwatering. Once the seedlings are large enough, you can transfer them into separate pots.
• Some people find that lemon trees do not thrive well in terracotta pots. You may avoid using terracotta pots, or line the interior to prevent the pot from absorbing too much moisture.
• Lemon trees can take several months to grow a few centimeters tall and develop attractive leaves. If you plan to give the tree as a gift, you might need to plant it 9 months in advance.
• Occasionally, one seed can produce multiple seedlings. If this happens, wait until each seedling has about 4 leaves. Then, carefully separate them from the soil and transplant each one into its own pot. If the seed produces two seedlings, one may develop into a true tree, identical to the parent, while the other will be a hybrid and will produce unique fruit.

• Never let the compost become too wet, as this will cause the seeds to rot.