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ShrubsConservatory GreenhouseFruit Edible

Citrus × limon (F)

lemon

A shrub or small tree to 4m tall, with spiny branches and oval, glossy, dark green leaves to 10cm long. From spring to summer it bears fragrant white flowers to 5cm across; these are followed by broadly ovoid, yellow fruits. Lemons are best grown in a cool or temperate greenhouse or conservatory and moved outside during the summer months. C. x limon is an ancient hybrid, derived from several wild species, and has given rise to many cultivated varieties.

Other common names

bergamot
bergamot orange
see moreChinese dwarf lemon
dwarf lemon
lemandarin
mandarin lime
medicinal bergamot
Meyer lemon
Otaheita rangpur
Otaheite orange
Otaite orange
rangpur
rangpur lime

Synonyms

Citrus bergamia
Citrus volkameriana
see moreCitrus × meyeri
Citrus × aurantium subsp. bergamia
Citrus limonum
Citrus × limonia

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Ultimate height

2.5–4 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Rutaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Fruit harmful to skin with sunlight/skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Citrus are typically evergreen shrubs or trees, frequently spiny, with simple, leathery, aromatic leaves, usually with winged stalks, and often fragrant white or pink-tinged flowers, followed by large, juicy fruits
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow as a conservatory or greenhouse plant, in a container of peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added grit, in full light, with shade from hot sun. In growth during spring and summer, water freely, and mist daily. Apply fertilisers formulated for citrus, throughout the year, following the manufacturer’s instructions; water sparingly in winter. See citrus cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer, or layer in early spring. Sow seed at 16°C in spring; seedlings do not come true to type

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Mediterranean climate plants
Patio and container plants
Bedding
Conservatory and greenhouse
Edible fruit

Pruning

See pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects, mealybugs and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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