How to Care for a Potted Lemon Tree

Overview

A lovely cup of tea just wouldn't be complete without a slice of lemon. Growing your own lemons is easy, even for apartment dwellers with limited space. You have a choice of small lemon tree varieties; perhaps you'd enjoy the sweeter Meyer lemon, which is rarely found in stores. You're not likely to grow a large crop of lemons, but you'll have a few homegrown lemons to add to beverages and recipes, and you will be more self-sufficient.

Growing Lemons in Pots

Step 1

Place your potted lemon tree outdoors in an area that gets plenty of direct sunlight. Lemon trees need up to 12 hours of light every day. If you need to move your tree indoors in the winter, consider setting up grow lights.

Step 2

Water your lemon tree once each week. Make certain that it does not stand in a puddle.

Step 3

Four times each year during its active growth periods, fertilize your lemon tree with a balanced fertilizer (for example, 8-8-8) designed for citrus. Do not give it fertilizer during the winter.

Step 4

Control slugs and snails with snail bait or by sprinkling diatomaceous earth over the soil in your pot. Use insecticidal soap to deter aphids, spider mites and scale insects.

Step 5

To keep your lemon tree a manageable size, prune it in winter when it is dormant.

Step 6

Spray with sulfur if you see white or gray sooty residue on the leaves. This can indicate powdery mildew, which will affect the plant's health and fruit production.