The leaves are a glossy green. Instead, grow your Lisbon lemon tree in a pot so that it can be moved inside during cold snaps, or insulate it with a blanket if it is grown outside. The scientific name is Citrus limon jambhiri. As the lemon ripens, it takes on the typical yellow shade, with a strong fragrance and thin skin. In India, in terms of area under cultivation, citrus is the third largest fruit industry after Banana and Mango. If you're expecting frosts, it's better to keep them in a container that can be moved inside for overwintering. Lisbon lemons are an old heirloom variety, which is believed to have their origins in Portugal. Mulching isn't recommended with lemon trees as they don't like soggy conditions. Make sure the pot is large enough, has good draining and you select a potting mix suited to citrus trees. It requires a climate that gets neither too hot or too cold and therefore fares best in USDA hardiness zones 9 and 10. Gemma is a Freelance Writer and Animal Welfare Advocate. It is a cross between a lemon and a sweet orange such as a mandarin. Do you live in a cold climate? The key benefit of growing the tree in a container is that it is portable and therefore able to be moved indoors during the winter. Effortless Growth, Kitchen to Patio Why Meyer Lemon Bushes? This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions. Enjoy the beauty and occasional fruit set of a lemon tree by growing one in a pot. This lemon tree is grown extensively in the Mediterranean region and is the most largely commercially produced lemon in Spain. Their main crop is harvested in the winter, but, once mature, if they have the right conditions, lemons can be found on the tree throughout the year. As the tree matures, it will need less water. This is particularly true of young trees that aren't so well established. Lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla; the synonym citriodora is still sometimes incorrectly used for this species) is a tender deciduous woody shrub native to South and Central America (Zones 8-10) with a strong lemon scent to the foliage, which is retained even when dried. The tree has a more upright and spreading growth habit, too. The fruit is exported under the name of Primofriori lemons, though be careful not to confuse these with Primofiore, which are from Italy. It is a large shrub or a small tree that produces dense evergreen foliage. If planting directly in the ground, you could plant the tree in an elevated position so that water runs off and doesn’t have the opportunity to pool around the base of the tree. Instead, they have a sweeter taste, with a dark yellow flesh and usually around 10 seeds. Unlike the Eureka, whose lemons are found on the outside, Lisbon lemons are located inside the dense, glossy, green canopy of the tree. The tree has a more … It was brought over to the United States in seed form from Italy in the middle of the 19th century and has been growing in the warmer states ever since. The tree can bear fruit all year round, though the main harvest times will be in the spring and winter when an abundance of fruit is ripe and available. It won’t need a protected position as the Eureka lemon would, and it is probably the most cold-hardy of all true lemon trees, though any climates which drop below freezing for more than a few days a year aren’t appropriate locations for this tree. Although Lisbon lemon trees are a little hardier than other varieties, they still need warm and sunny conditions to thrive. The Eureka lemon tree is considered to be a true lemon tree, as it is not the result of any hybridization. The rind can ve used as a spice as can the leaves. During hot, dry weather, you may need to water every day, or even twice a day. They are commercially popular because of their reliable flavor and continuous growing season. Ideal Hardiness Zones. Providing you live in a hot and dry region, you can grow Lisbon lemon trees outdoor year-round and receive an abundant harvest. This tree hails from Spain, where it is locally known as the Fino lemon tree, the Blanco lemon tree, or the Mesero lemon tree. Eureka Lemon (Citrus x limon “Eureka”), 2. The Eureka lemon tree typically grows to 20 feet in height and can be grown in a raised bed or a sturdy container, though dwarf varieties do exist, which are maybe more suitable for container growing. This tree has many similarities with the Eureka lemon tree, but the key distinguishing feature is that the Primofiori lemon tree is heavily thorned, while the Eureka lemon tree is not. You can also drape string lights between the branches, as this may help to increase the temperature by a few degrees. Given that Lisbon lemon trees produce such an abundance of fruit, they use up a lot of energy. The flowers it produces are white and purple, with a very intense scent. These trees thrive in containers and in colder climates they can be overwintered indoors. Be careful not to overdo it! The lemons on these trees are bright yellow when mature, have particularly juicy, acidic flesh, and contain few seeds or none at all. This tree requires 8-10 hours of sun each day and is best situated in a full sun location. It is a heavy fruit producer, able to bear fruit from 2 or 3 years old. It is known as the ‘Improved Meyer lemon tree’ (Citrus x Meyerii ‘Improved’), and this is where the Meyer lemons in the US now stem from. As Eureka lemon trees have such high watering needs, they are not suitable for growing in the yard among the grass, as lawns do not enjoy this level of moisture. Meyer lemon trees flourish in USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11, which are regions on the southern coastal margins and deep southern half of the US. By removing low hanging branches, it allows better air circulation and reduces the chance problems with fungal diseases and pests developing. The Eureka lemon tree is considered to be a true lemon tree, as it is not the result of any hybridization. The Lisbon lemon tree is easy to care for and is tolerant of heat, wind, and cold. These are best taken in late spring or early summer from healthy, new growth that doesn't have any fruit or flowers yet. Here’s what you need to know before you decide to grow your own Meyer lemon tree. These trees produce reliable lemons that are large, have very few seeds, and are exceptionally juicy. While your Lisbon lemon tree is getting established, during the first few years, it'll need more watering. In the United States in the 1940s, the Meyer lemon tree was found to be carrying a deadly citrus virus. Lisbon lemon trees are thornier than Eurekas, more tolerant of the cold, and they produce more fruit. The fruit it produces is pale yellow in color, with a thin and smooth skin. As well as being easy to care for, the Lisbon lemon tree is aesthetically pleasing. Don’t expect your young lemon tree to produce fruit, as this usually doesn’t happen until year three. We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. These trees require plenty of sun to thrive and do best in positions where they receive 10 to 12 hours of sun a day. More mature trees will fruit the most profusely and will experience pretty white flowers all year round. It is suitable for growing in a container where it can be pruned to a smaller height and maintained at around 5 feet tall (University of California Riverside). The fruits of this tree are round, and young lemons have unique green striping. Of all the citrus fruits, lemons are the most sensitive to cold temperatures. Lisbon lemon trees can handle a variety of soil types but have a preference for those on the acidic side, and good drainage is an absolute must. Eureka lemons start out yellow-green but develop to the bright lemon yellow we are all familiar with. But it can still be tricky to identify the variety from the fruit alone. The trees have a vigorous growth habit, with large leaves and dense foliage. After a few years, you can reduce your watering schedule to weekly during the warmer months, and bi-weekly in the cooler months. This species needs a full sun position to thrive. It is never classed as a herb. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. Their main crop is harvested in the winter, but, once mature, if they have the right conditions, lemons can be found on the tree throughout the year. Lemon plant is a tree, where the lemon fruits are growing. The Meyer lemon tree is not a ‘true’ lemon tree, but instead is a hybrid which originates from China.