How to Grow a Lemon Tree from Seed

Overview

Citrus seeds, including lemon seeds, sprout easily and grow well. If you wish to grow a lemon tree for ornamental purposes, make sure it stays small by regularly pruning new growth. On the other hand, if you are hoping to eventually have a large tree in your garden, encourage new growth by removing flower buds. Once your lemon tree has reached the desired height, allow the flower to fruit and enjoy the lemons.

Step 1

Gather seeds from a lemon. Discard any small, light or broken seeds. Store any lemon seeds that you are not using immediately in the refrigerator.

Step 2

Poke two or three drainage holes in the bottom of each oval in the egg container with a needle or pin. Fill the individual sections with moist potting soil.

Step 3

Place a lemon seed in each section of the egg container. Make sure that the soil is damp, but not so wet that it resembles mud.

Step 4

Close the top of the egg container and place it in a warm, sunny spot such as a kitchen counter or windowsill with southern exposure. Within one to three weeks, the first green sprouts should start poking through the soil.

Step 5

Open the top of the egg container, keeping the soil with its seedlings well humidified. Once they reach about 2 inches high, plant them in flowerpots.

Step 6

Moisten the clay flowerpots and fill them with potting soil. Plant one small lemon plant per pot. Place in a sunny spot and water regularly.

Step 7

Transplant your lemon trees into larger flowerpots as they grow. If you live in a mild climate, plant your lemon trees outside where they will receive plenty of sunlight.