How to Root Lemon Trees

Overview

Lemon trees can grow well in containers indoors or in yards outdoors, as long as they have acidic soil, good drainage and full sunlight. Lemon trees grown from cuttings grow faster and produce fruit earlier than seed-grown trees. Rooting lemon trees is the most effective and simplest way to propagate them.

Step 1

Put on gardening gloves. Use pruning shears at a 45-degree angle to cut off two smaller branches from a healthy lemon tree. Cut the branches at the node closest to the trunk.

Step 2

Trim off all flowers and remove all leaves, except the top few at the tip of the branch.

Step 3

Pour a quarter-cup of liquid rooting hormone in a coffee mug. Place the cut end of the branch in the coffee mug and allow the branch to soak for one to two minutes.

Step 4

Place small rocks in the bottom of the potting container to provide drainage for your lemon tree roots.

Step 5

Fill the potting container half-full with organic potting soil. Use your thumb to make two indentations in the soil.

Step 6

Remove the branches from the rooting hormone and stick them into the potting soil. Cover the branches with potting soil until two nodes are completely covered. Press the soil firmly with your fingertips to secure the branches.

Step 7

Pour water into the potting container until the soil is moist but not saturated. Place the new lemon tree cuttings container in a sunny location. Mist soil at the base of the branches daily.