Why are my lemon leaves turning yellow?

This is often due to overwatering or a nitrogen deficiency.

Do I need to prune my lemon tree?

Light pruning helps maintain shape and improves airflow, which reduces disease risk.

Plant guide

Lemon.

Citrus limon

Pronounced SIT-rus LY-mon

Also known as Canton lemon, Chinese dwarf lemon, Meyer lemon, Otaheite orange, Rangpur lime, balotin bergamot, chine lemon, cravo lemon

The lemon is a beloved citrus tree known for its bright, zesty fruit and fragrant white blossoms. It thrives in sunny spots and makes a wonderful addition to a patio or garden in warmer climates. You will enjoy its evergreen foliage year round.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Evergreen tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: 3 to 6 meters
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Intermittent throughout the year

Care

Keep your lemon tree in a spot with plenty of direct sunlight and ensure the soil drains well to avoid root rot. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal overwatering or a need for more nutrients. Regularly check the undersides of leaves for pests like scale or spider mites.

Watering: Water deeply when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: Use a balanced citrus fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Prune lightly in late winter to shape the tree and remove dead or crossing branches.
Repotting: Repot when the roots begin to circle the pot or growth slows significantly.
Soil: Well draining, slightly acidic loam
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 7 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 20 to 50 years
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface for too long.
Stunted growth despite regular feeding.
The tree becomes top heavy and tips over easily.

Safety

People: The plant is generally non toxic, though the essential oils in the leaves and rind can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Pets: Citrus oils and plant parts can cause irritation or digestive upset if ingested by cats or dogs.
Children: The thorns on some varieties can scratch children, so keep them at a safe distance during pruning or harvest.
Contact allergens: Contact with the essential oils in the leaves or rind can cause photosensitivity or mild dermatitis.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can cause mild allergic reactions in sensitive individuals during heavy bloom.
Edibility: The fruit is safe, but avoid consuming large amounts of the essential oils found in the rind if you have specific sensitivities.

How to identify it

Glossy, dark green, oval leaves
Fragrant, star shaped white flowers
Bright yellow, acidic, oval fruit
Small thorns on some branches

Height: 2 to 6m
Spread: 1.5 to 4m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: white, purple, 2 to 4cm
Fruit: yellow, Year round

Problems to watch for

ChlorosisCommon
Citrus ScaleCommon
Sooty MoldCommon
AphidsUncommon
Citrus CankerUncommon
Root RotUncommon

By symptom

Check your lemon from a photo

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, grafting, seed
When to plant: spring, early autumn
Overwintering: Move containers indoors before the first frost to a bright, cool room. Reduce watering significantly during the winter months while the tree is less active.
In containers: Lemons grow very well in containers, provided you use a pot at least 40 centimeters wide with excellent drainage.

Stem cuttings

Take a 15 centimeter cutting from a healthy green stem.
Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
Plant in a moist, well draining potting mix.
Cover with a plastic bag to maintain humidity.
Keep in bright, indirect light until roots form.

Planting aromatic herbs like basil or oregano beneath the canopy can help mask the scent of the tree from pests.

Grows well with

Rosemary — It helps deter common citrus pests with its strong scent.
Nasturtium — It acts as a trap crop for aphids that might otherwise target the tree.

Similar species

Lime — It shares similar growth habits and care requirements.
Kumquat — It is a small, cold hardy citrus relative often grown in similar containers.

Science

Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Citrus
Order: Sapindales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: South Asia, specifically northeastern India, northern Myanmar, and China.
Conservation: Not of conservation concern.

It thrives in sunny, well drained environments and relies on pollinators to set fruit.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, larval host plant
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: culinary flavoring, ornamental tree, cleaning agent, essential oil production

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 7/9
Salinity: 3/9
Temperature: 8/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my lemon leaves turning yellow?: This is often due to overwatering or a nitrogen deficiency.
Do I need to prune my lemon tree?: Light pruning helps maintain shape and improves airflow, which reduces disease risk.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Citrus comes from the Greek word kedros, while limon is derived from the Arabic word laimun.

Good to know

Lemons are a hybrid between a bitter orange and a citron.
A single lemon tree can produce up to 600 pounds of fruit in a year.
Lemons contain more sugar than strawberries by weight.
The acidity of lemon juice is roughly pH 2.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Keep your lemon growing

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.