Growing a lemon tree from seed is easy when you use fresh seeds and provide the right conditions. Here’s a simple method used by many home gardeners and nursery growers.
What You’ll Need
- 1 fresh lemon
- Several lemon seeds
- Paper towel
- Water
- Small pot or seed tray
- Seed-starting soil
- Plastic bag or plastic wrap
Step 1: Extract Fresh Seeds
Cut a ripe lemon and remove several seeds. Choose the largest and healthiest-looking seeds.
Step 2: Clean the Seeds
Rinse the seeds thoroughly under water to remove any fruit pulp. Leftover pulp can encourage mold growth.
Step 3: Remove the Seed Coat (Optional)
Carefully peel away the outer white seed coat using your fingernails or tweezers. This can speed up germination, but be gentle to avoid damaging the seed.
Step 4: Pre-Germinate the Seeds
Moisten a paper towel and place the seeds inside. Fold the towel over the seeds and place it in a sealed plastic bag.
Step 5: Keep Warm
Store the bag in a warm location (20–25°C / 68–77°F). Check every few days to ensure the paper towel remains slightly moist.
Step 6: Watch for Sprouts
After 1–3 weeks, tiny roots should begin to emerge from the seeds.
Step 7: Plant the Sprouted Seeds
Fill small pots with moist seed-starting mix. Plant each seed about 1 cm (½ inch) deep with the root pointing downward.
Step 8: Provide Light
Place the pots in a bright location with plenty of indirect sunlight. Once seedlings emerge, give them several hours of direct sun daily.
Step 9: Water Carefully
Keep the soil lightly moist but not soggy. Overwatering is one of the most common causes of seedling failure.
Step 10: Transplant as Needed
When seedlings reach 10–15 cm (4–6 inches) tall and develop several sets of leaves, transplant them into larger pots.
