Have you ever thought of growing a potted lemon tree? So while that might sound like a lot of effort (ambitious too), growing a lemon seed in a small cup is actually pretty simple. I’ve done it, and let me tell you — it is satisfying, and fun, to watch that little seed sprout and grow. And, if it does not yield any fruit, a small lemon tree will bring a pop of natural beauty to any space.
Why Grow a Lemon Tree in a Cup?
You may be saying to yourself, “Well, why would I want to grow a lemon tree in a cup instead of a pot or in the ground?” You can start small by growing it in a cup, which is perfect if you have limited space or are hesitant to commit to a large harvest. I personally don’t have much space so growing a lemon in a cup is quite convenient. It’s also easy to keep tabs on the seed’s progress and move it to a sunnier location if need be. If the plant grows bigger, you can always transplant it to a larger pot.
What You’ll Need to Plant a Lemon in a Cup
To begin, you will need the following supplies:
one fresh lemon
A cup (plastic or ceramic is fine)
Soil mix (I prefer citrus/rose friendly soil)
A piece of plastic with a knot or a tiny see-through bag
Water
A sunny location (such as a windowsill)
With these simple basics you are good to start growing your own mini lemon tree!!
Step 1: Select and Prepare the Lemon Seeds
Step 1: Start with a lemon First up: get yourself a lemon. I say yes to using an organic lemon, as non-organic lemons can be sprayed with chemicals to keep seeds from sprouting.
Here’s what to do:
Cut the lemon in half and scoop out some of the seeds.
Wash seeds in water and remove as much of the sticky pulp as possible. Be gentle!
Pat the seeds dry with a paper towel, but don’t allow them to sit out very long. Lemon seeds need to be kept moist in order to germinate.
Step 2: The Cup – Planting the Seed in the Cup
Here’s how:
Fill the cup with potting soil, leaving a half-inch of space at the top.
Poke a little hole in the soil (about a half inch deep) and slip the seed in. The pointed end of the seed should go up and the rounded end go down.
Sprinkle seeds with a fine layer of soil and tamp lightly. Don’t cram it in too tightly, though — you want there to be a little air in there for the seed.
Step 3: Add Water and Cover the Cup
Water the soil lightly after you planted. You don’t want to drown it — just enough to get the soil moist.
To keep the seed warm and humid, cover the top of the cup with plastic wrap or a small clear plastic bag. This produces a mini greenhouse effect, which is exactly what you want for growing seeds. I prefer to poke a couple of small holes in the plastic for ventilation.
Step 4: Set Your Cup in the Sun
Your lemon pit will require a nice warm and sunny spot to start sprouting. I have mine on a windowsill, where it can soak up natural light. Lemon seeds need around 8 hours of sunlight a day on average, so you will want to position yours where it can soak up as much sun as it can.
If you don’t have a really sunny spot, you can use a grow light instead.
Step 5: Water Consistently and Wait It Out
Now, we wait. Test the soil every couple of days, to ensure it’s still damp. If it looks dry, toss in a little water. Just mind you don’t hit it with too much water, as excessive moisture can cause the seed to rot.
In about 2-4 weeks, you will have a tiny little green sprout popping up from the soil. This is a huge win! Keep the plastic cover on until the sprout is a couple of inches high, then take it off to allow the plant a little more air.
How to Take Care of a Lemon
When your starting cross possesses starts out thriving, it truly is time to have a modest amount of extra creativity.
Light: Put your little lemon plant in the sunniest window available.
Water: Water when the top inch of the soil feels dry. More water is not always better!
Fertilizer: Fertilize the plant with balanced fertilizer every few weeks once a couple of months have passed. 12.) Citrus are particularly eager, somewhere between the whippet and barrel racer in the race for a little extra feeding.
Once it starts to take off, you might transplant it to a bigger pot to let the roots spread out a little. A pot with drainage holes is best, as it prevents soil from getting waterlogged.
What you can expect as your lemon tree grows
A lemon tree that you grow from seed might not produce fruit for a couple of years, or at all, but that’s ok, my friends. Even if it doesn’t, you’ll have a nice, leafy green plant to spruce up your place. With a little luck and time, your tree might bloom a little and fruit even small lemons! Trust me, the plant itself is so beautiful, you won’t regret it.
Just keep in mind that lemon trees need sun and a little extra love, especially if you’re growing them indoors. With some love and care your plant will blossom and bring some fresh green into your home.
Creating your own lemon tree in a cup is surprisingly easy and extremely rewarding. Adds some green to your home, and also gives you the satisfaction of watching something grow from nothing. Even if it never ripens, you’ll still have a lovely indoor plant with an invigorating citrus fragrance. I love me lemon tree. You’ll yours too.