How to Plant a Lemon Seed

Overview

If you love the smell and look of a lemon tree, consider growing one. You don't have to live in a tropical climate to enjoy a lemon tree, as they will do well as indoor plants in a bright area of your home. Growing a lemon tree from seed is a great project for adults and children to do together. Lemon seeds don't like to sit around and dry out, so the next time you slice open a fresh lemon, be ready to plant a seed.

Step 1

Prepare your pot and soil before you remove your seed from the lemon. Lemon seeds can not tolerate drying out.

Step 2

Fill a 3-inch-tall peat pot with sterile potting soil. Place the pot on a plastic tray and water the soil well and allow it to drain and soak into the pot.

Step 3

Slice open a fresh lemon and extract the seeds. Place the seeds in a strainer and rinse them under lukewarm water. Make sure that any film is off the seed.

Step 4

Plant the lemon seed 1 inch down into the soil, and then cover the top of the pot with plastic cling wrap.

Step 5

Place the pot in the tray, on top of the refrigerator or hot water heater. Sitting on top of an appliance will generate enough heat to germinate the seed.

Step 6

Remove the plastic cover and set the pot in a sunny window as soon as the seedling begins to emerge from the soil. If there is not a lot of direct sunlight, there at least needs to be several hours of bright light per day.

Step 7

Transplant your seedling to a bigger pot when the roots begin to push through the peat pot. Select a pot that is at least 12 inches high and 12 inches in diameter and continue to use sterile potting soil. If you live in a warm climate and you wish to plant your lemon tree outdoors, select a full-sun location with well-drained soil. Otherwise, your potted lemon tree can remain in the pot and be set outdoors during warm summer months.