If you’re in the market for an easy to maintain, robust, and aromatic fruit-bearing tree, look no further than the Meyer Lemon Tree.

What sets this tree apart from your typical standard lemon tree?

This tree is not only beautiful to look at with its’ white blossoms, shiny dark leaves, and aromatherapy-type scent, but it is also naturally disease and insect resistant.

The fruit produced are much sweeter than the average grocery store versions. The fruit itself is a thin-skinned hybrid: part lemon, part mandarin orange and is rounder than a traditional orange. The skin is a deep yellow with a slight orange tint when ripe with a dark yellow pulp. The fruit is produced throughout the year, with the main harvest occurring in winter. When ripe, Meyer Lemons are slightly soft to the touch and have a multitude of uses.

Variety of Uses

The fruits’ high acidity levels and antibacterial/antiseptic properties make it ideal for creating your own safe and effective cleaners for around the home. Chefs enjoy the sweet-tart skins for baking and the leaves of the tree are used for making tea. The juice is also great for cocktails, lemonade (sweeter in flavor, no need to add as much sugar when preparing), meat tenderizer, and making salad dressings. Citrus fruits are already well-known for containing vitamin C, but most people don’t realize that they are also an abundant source of potassium, magnesium, and calcium. They also contain flavanoids that boost immune system function.

Care and Maintenance

A Meyer fruit tree will bear fruit indoors and out. Naturally shrub-like and can be pruned into a tree form. Pruning should be done periodically to maintain its shape and structural integrity. The Meyer Lemon Tree is perfect for growing in containers for easy moving during season changes if grown in cooler climates. If planting outside, the southern part of the United States and its’ coast line are prime territory being the perfect climate. The temperatures that are optimal for bearing fruit are between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Soil needs to have good drainage and should maintain a pH level between 5.5 and 6.5. The plant needs between 8-12 hours of direct sunlight per day. The soil needs to be moist, but not wet to the touch to be ideal. The trees love to be misted with water frequently; and it is required if kept indoors (especially when using heat in winter). When the tree is created by grafting rootstock, it is capable of blossoming in less than one year as opposed to seed grown which could take up to two years. If well-maintained, this tree can last for over 30 years!

You can even check out the ‘tubes for more information on these awesome trees: