Description
Why grow a Meyer lemon tree?
A favorite of home gardeners and chefs, the improved Meyer lemon tree adapts beautifully to life as a dwarf citrus tree—perfect for growing in containers indoors or out. In temperate climates, it can be planted in the ground and enjoyed as a vibrant backyard lemon tree.
This is the perfect plant to accent your patio or porch—with the bonus of fresh, sweet lemons! Enjoy attractive green leaves, fragrant white blossoms, and citrus-scented flowers, followed by juicy, floral fruit. These lemons are prized for baking desserts, enhancing savory dishes, and mixing into fantastic cocktails. Homesteaders will enjoy preserving the abundance. These lovely citrus trees may even bloom again while fruit is still ripening, allowing for continuous or near year-round harvesting.
What is the fruit like?
Meyer lemons are a hybrid between traditional lemons and mandarin oranges. They’re much sweeter and less acidic than regular lemons—making them ideal for those who prefer a mild, sweet citrus flavor.
The skin is thin, smooth, and ripens to a rich, golden yellow—like the color of an egg yolk. Fruits are smaller and more rounded than standard lemons, with dark yellow pulp. Meyer lemons are also rich in vitamin C, folate, and powerful antioxidants like flavanones..
How do I grow this tree?
Whether grown in the ground or as a potted lemon tree, Meyer lemons are both beautiful and easy to maintain. In the ground, trees may reach up to 10 feet tall. In containers, growth is naturally limited—making them an excellent choice for balconies, patios, or sunrooms.
Pruning helps keep the plant compact and encourages a fuller shape. This is a self-pollinating citrus tree, so outdoor plants will produce fruit naturally. Indoor trees can be hand-pollinated using a soft paintbrush to transfer pollen between blooms.
Meyer lemon trees thrive in moist, but well-draining soil. Allow the soil to dry slightly between deep waterings. A moderately to slightly acidic pH is ideal. Regular feeding with a citrus-specific, high-nitrogen fertilizer during spring and summer helps support fruiting. With proper care, your first harvest can arrive within just 1–2 years.
These citrus trees need at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. In hot climates, morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal. They are heat-tolerant, but not cold-hardy, so in Zones below 8, bring container trees indoors before the first freeze. Meyer lemon trees are more disease-resistant than other varieties, making them a reliable and rewarding choice for any gardener.
Why They’re Hard to Find in Stores
Meyer lemons are rarely found in grocery stores due to their thin skins and short shelf life—making them a true treat for home growers. Their unique flavor and fragrance set them apart from standard lemons.
Bring Home the Best Lemon Tree for Containers
Buy a Meyer Lemon Tree online and enjoy this beautiful, compact citrus plant that rewards you with sweet, homegrown lemons right from your own patio, sunroom, or backyard.
Survival Guaranteed!


Since 1816, Stark Bro’s has promised to provide customers with the very best fruit trees and plants. It’s just that simple. If your trees or plants do not survive, please let us know within one year of delivery. We will send you a free one-time replacement, with a nominal shipping fee of $9.99. If the item in question is not available, we can issue a one-time credit to your account equaling the original product purchase price or issue you a refund. Read more about our warranty policy.
Characteristics
Bloom Color | White |
Fruit Color | Yellow |
Fruit Size | Small - Medium |
Hardiness Zone Range | 2 - 11, Outdoor Planting: 8 - 11 |
Pollination | Self-Pollinating |
Shade/Sun | Full Sun |
Soil Composition | Loamy |
Soil Moisture | Well Drained - Average Moistness |
Soil pH Level | 5.5 - 6.5 |
Taste | Sweet, Tart |
Texture | Firm, Juicy |
Years to Bear | 1 - 2 |
Size & Spacing
Mature Size
Recommended Spacing
Zone Compatibility
Pollination
This variety is self pollinating.
Related Assortments
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Tools & Supplies
Planting & Care
Learn all about how to grow citrus trees in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.
Shipping Information
Arrives when it's time to plant
Questions & Answers
Absolutely, it is. I have provided a detailed answer of exactly how to do it in another post. These are wonderful little trees and they will survive the winter indoors.
You absolutely CAN grow this product indoors. The reason you were advised that the product was incompatible for your area is because citrus trees - such as this lemon tree - cannot survive freezing. Accordingly, they are restricted to climates where the temperature does not dip below the freezing mark. By contrast, virtually no one ever allows his indoor temps to dip that low, hence the tree will survive indoors during the winter - you may move it outdoors in the summer. Be careful near windows - sometimes the temp just adjacent to the window gets quite cold esp if you lower your heat at night or when you go away for the weekend. Be sure to push your tree back from the window if you set your thermostat very low at night. I lost a fig tree by being careless about this practice. Citrus trees are wonderful indoor trees in the winter when everything is so dreary outside. Be sure you keep increasing the pot size as your tree grows. Put it on a small appliance dolly so you can wheel it onto the porch in the summer or else wheel it away from the window if you go away for a winter vacation.
This excellent article will answer your questions and provide good advice. Please see "Growing Fruit Trees in Containers" //www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/article/fruit-trees-in-containers-pt1
I bought my meyer lemon about this time last year, and have planted it in a pot about the same size as the one in the picture. I keep it in a very sunny, south facing window (I live in NY) and water it once a week. So far, my lemon tree is doing quite well. It has two small lemons on it. Initially, my lemon tree lost some leaves, but that was probably due to the stress of shipping. I haven't noticed any new growth though. I might transplant it into a bigger pot to see if that helps it.
I have had lots of blossoms and have 3 tiny lemons growing now.
The plant is lovely, waiting for warm weather to put it outside where it will
get lots more sun.
I believe you're supposed to brush the pollen from flower to flower. Self-pollinating means you don't need a second plant, but if you don't have pollinators (e.g., bees) to do the actual pollinating, you'll have to do it yourself.
Yes as long as it’s heated. I set my lemon trees outside in the summer and before it gets cold I put mine in my greenhouse and keep the temperature around 45-48 degrees in the winter. Right now where I live the temperature is in the teens but my lemon trees are doing good.
These do well growing year round as long as you winter them inside, preferably in a window that gets lots of sun. I keep mine in pots (5 gallon buckets) and have them outside in the Missouri summer. Make sure they are watered well, mainly the mid section of the dirt where roots are. In the winter they will still flourish and bloom if kept watered and in a sunny fairly warm area. Even with the sub freezing weather this year (2018) mine have lots of blooms and hopefully lots of lemons this summer. Lemons are delicious.
It can survive indoors with care, but might not produce as well as outdoors. It needs a lot f sunlight and warmth indoors. It also helps if you can put it outside during the summer for additional sunlight. but being careful it does not get too much water when it's outside. We live in Zone 7a and put ours outside all summer and it's now doing fine indoors for the winter. We have also been in a warmer zone where we had a Meyer Lemon that was outdoors year-round. We have found that the citrus trees we've had that we can't keep outdoors all year round, due to the weather, do not produce as much fruit, if any. This is normal and expected. That being said, the Meyer Lemon is a great tree, even indoors, and if properly cared for, will be a joy to own. We do recommend it. Hope this helps.
I also have had my lemon tree for about a year. I have a lot of green lemons a little bigger than a golf ball and they have been that size for about 2 months. If yours does get to ripen let me know.
Customer Reviews
Within just a few days of being planted, the tree adjusted beautifully and is already showing new growth. The leaves are lush and green, and I'm beyond excited to eventually see (and taste!) those delicious sweet-tart lemons. It's the perfect addition to my garden.
Highly recommend Stark Bros for anyone looking for quality fruit trees.
I love lemons, and I have the perfect place for this little tree in my sunroom.
Because my wife wanted it and she is the boss!
Love stark bros and they sell quality! Have bought from them in the past and am beyond satisfied!
I love them.