Inside: We’ve got a fun botany science experiment just right for kids! Let’s explore how to sprout a tiny lemon seed and then nurture it into a flourishing lemon tree.
Do you get annoyed by lemon seeds when trying to use this citrus fruit? The other day, I was trying to squeeze some lemon juice from a couple of lemons for my Lemon Roast (yum-yum!), and the pesky seeds kept appearing out of nowhere.
But you know what? We can easily turn this inconvenience into a fun science experiment because lemon seeds are actually “baby plants” in the making. The seed is the embryonic stage of the plant life cycle. If you provide the right conditions, each of these lemon seeds can grow into a beautiful (and fruitful) lemon tree!
Not only does it provide hands-on learning about the natural world, it instills patience, responsibility, and the introduction to the magic of growth.
I love doing easy, hands-on science projects for my kids, not just because it’s such a memorable way to learn (for them) but also because it’s a fun opportunity for me to bond with them. Something I will always remember fondly, even when my kids are all grown up.
Growing a lemon tree at home can be an extremely rewarding experience. From watching the first tiny seedling emerge to plucking sun-ripened lemons for your summer cocktails every stage brings its own sense of joy and accomplishment.
In this comprehensive guide we will walk you through the key growth phases of a lemon tree, from sowing to fruiting. Whether you’re a novice gardener or a seasoned botanist understanding the growth cycle of citrus trees helps ensure your tree thrives. So let’s get started!
An Overview of the 5 Growth Stages of Lemon Trees
The lifecycle of a lemon tree can be broadly divided into 5 key growth stages:
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Germination: The seed sprouts and the first roots and shoots emerge.
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Seedling: The young tree focuses on root and leaf growth.
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Juvenile: The sapling grows in size and branches out.
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Mature: Flower buds appear, signaling the tree is ready for pollination and fruiting.
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Fruiting: Lemon blooms are pollinated and the fruit develops.
The timeline for these stages can vary based on climate, soil, and cultivation methods. But generally, lemon trees take 3-5 years to reach maturity and begin fruiting. Now let’s explore each phase in detail.
Stage 1: Germination
Germination marks the first step in a lemon tree’s life cycle. Like most plants, it begins when a seed’s embryo emerges and begins growing the first root, known as the radicle.
How it happens:
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Choose plump, healthy lemon seeds and sow them in moist, well-draining potting mix. Seeds must be fresh, not dried out.
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Ideal germination temperature is 65-75°F. Keep the soil moist, not soaked.
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In 1-4 weeks, the radical will appear, followed by the hypocotyl stem.
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Once both root and shoot have grown, the seed has successfully germinated.
Key Tips:
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Sow more seeds than needed because not all may germinate.
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Use a sterile seed starter mix and containers.
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Light is not essential at this stage but airflow and warmth are.
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Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
With care, you’ll soon have a tray of lemon seedlings ready for the next phase!
Stage 2: Seedling Stage
In this stage, the juvenile lemon tree focuses on root development and leaf growth.
What happens:
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The seedling will grow vertical stems with simple leaves.
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Roots continue extending deeper into the soil, anchoring the plant.
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Growth is slow in this phase, so be patient. Focus on encouraging strong roots.
Caring for your seedling:
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Transplant each seedling into its own pot when 2 sets of true leaves emerge.
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Use a 5” to 7” nursery pot with drainage holes, filled with potting mix.
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Place in bright indirect sunlight. Avoid harsh direct light.
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Water when top inch of soil is dry. Don’t overwater.
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Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
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Monitor for pests like aphids; treat any infestations promptly.
With attentive care and optimal conditions, your seedling will flourish into a strong sapling.
Stage 3: Juvenile Phase
Reaching the juvenile stage signifies your lemon tree is ready for exponential growth. Here’s what to expect:
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Rapid stem elongation and leaf generation.
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Beginning of branch formation.
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Roots continue spreading deeper and wider.
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Plants reach 1-3 feet tall, taking on a bushy shrub-like shape.
Caring for juvenile trees:
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Repot annually in early spring into a gradually larger pots.
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Prune strategically to encourage bushy growth.
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Introduce fertilizer high in nitrogen to fuel rapid growth.
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Ensure the plant gets 8-10 hours of sunlight daily.
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Protect from frost and cold temperatures.
With attentive watering, pruning, and sun exposure, your juvenile will transform into a small tree in no time.
Stage 4: Mature Tree
In 3-5 years, lemon trees reach reproductive maturity. Here are the hallmarks of this stage:
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Growth rate slows down. Energy is focused on flowering.
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Bark begins to form on branches and trunk.
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Thorns may begin to appear on branches.
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Flower buds emerge, signaling readiness to bloom.
Tips for mature trees:
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Repot into final container, minimum 15” diameter and depth.
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Prune selectively to shape tree and improve air circulation and light penetration.
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Fertilize in early spring with citrus food high in phosphorus and potassium.
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Supplement with calcium and magnesium.
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Protect from frost and cold temperatures.
With the right conditions, your mature tree will soon be covered in lemon blossoms!
Stage 5: Flowering and Fruiting
The long wait is finally over! Here’s what happens in the fruiting stage:
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Clusters of fragrant white flowers bloom on branches.
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Bees pollinate the flowers.
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Pollinated blooms develop into small green fruit.
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Fruit ripens gradually over 6-9 months, turning yellow.
Maximizing fruit production:
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Ensure proper watering and fertilization when fruit is growing.
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Thin excessive fruit to increase size and quality of remainder.
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Harvest lemons when fully colored and aromatic.
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Remove dead branches and leaves to improve airflow and light exposure.
With attentive cultivation, your tree will reward you with an abundant harvest of juicy lemons for years to come!
Factors that Impact Growth Rate
The duration of each growth stage is influenced by several variables:
Climate: Citrus thrives in warm, humid regions with long summers. Colder climates delay progress.
Soil: Rich, loamy, well-draining soil nurtures faster growth.
Sunlight: Lemon trees need 8-10 hours of direct sun daily for vigorous growth.
Water: Consistent watering accelerates growth, but overwatering inhibits it.
Pruning & Training: Strategic pruning encourages bushy growth. Training branches with stakes improves shape.
Fertilization: Regular feeding with target nutrients maximizes growth potential.
Pest Control: Preventing and treating pests and diseases enables unhindered growth.
Container vs. Ground: Trees planted in-ground generally grow faster and larger than container specimens.
Understanding how these elements impact your tree helps you troubleshoot issues and optimize its development.
Troubleshooting Common Issues at Each Stage
While lemon trees are generally hardy, issues can arise at any stage that slow or impair growth. Here are some common problems and solutions:
Germination
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Seeds fail to sprout: Ensure adequate warmth and moisture. Discard overly dried out seeds.
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Mold growth on seedlings: Reduce watering frequency and improve airflow.
Seedling & Juvenile
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Poor leaf color or wilting: Check for under/overwatering. Fertilize if needed.
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Leaf drop: Likely due to overwatering, drought stress, or pests.
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Spindly growth: Increase sunlight exposure or use grow lights.
Mature & Fruiting
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Lack of flowers/fruit: Fertilize to encourage blooms. Ensure adequate sunlight.
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Flower drop: Rule out late frost damage. Improve pollination.
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Small fruit: Thin overloaded branches so remaining fruit size up.
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Bitter pit: Usually caused by calcium deficiency. Supplement accordingly.
Detecting and quickly fixing issues ensures your tree stays vigorously on track.
Final Tips for Growing Healthy Lemon Trees
Follow these core tips to set your lemon tree up for success at every stage:
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Select a disease-resistant variety suitable for your climate. Meyer lemons are a popular choice.
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Allow enough room for growth. dwarf varieties in 10” pots, standards in 25” containers.
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Use well-draining soil enriched with compost. Citrus feeds heavily.
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Site in full sun. Shelter from wind and frost.
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Water thoroughly when top 2” of soil is dry. Drought stresses trees.
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Fertilize in spring and summer months. Citrus-specific formulations are best.
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Monitor for pests like aphids and scale. Take prompt counter-measures.
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Prune judiciously in late winter. Remove dead wood, shape tree.
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Rotate containerized trees periodically for even sun exposure.
With attentive, consistent care tailored to each growth phase, your homegrown lemon tree will flourish and fruit for years of productive seasons to come!
Whether you’re expanding your fruit orchard or experimenting with your first potted citrus, this guide will help ensure your lemon tree thrives indoors or out.
So choose the perfect planting site, feed generously, and let the citrus journey begin! We wish you the very best on your quest for homegrown lemons.
How to Grow a Lemon Tree from a Seed
Let’s transform these simple lemon seeds into thriving trees and turn education into a zestful journey (get it? Zest :). So, next time you have a lemon, make the most of it – grow a lemon tree!
Cut a lemon in half and remove those lemon seeds. Are you kids intrigued to find out that a whole lemon can grow from such a little seed?
Soak the seeds in water to soften the outside layer for about 12 hours. While you are waiting, show your kids a lemon, the seeds, and perhaps photos of a fully-grown lemon tree you can find on the internet. Point out the dramatic transformation that a tiny seed can undergo. This will create an ‘’ in their minds and will make them excited to start the process themselves.
Wet a paper towel and line a mason jar with it. Allow your kids to do as much as they can independently. I know you can do it better, straighter, and with less mess, but this hands-on experience is not just fun; it also helps them understand the process and makes them feel involved.
Place the seeds between the outside of the jar and the wet paper towel. Encourage your kids to ask questions about why and how of the experiment in particular and the science of growing in general. This will make the process more interactive and educational.
Fill the center of the jar with towels, cotton balls, or pebbles. This step prevents the seeds from moving. Interestingly enough, we discovered that if the seed is moved, it makes it stop growing.
Place the mason jar in a warm, dark place, like a corner in your kitchen. As the seeds start to sprout and grow, ask your kids to observe and comment on the changes. If you are keeping an Observation Journal, make note-taking a regular part of your routine.
Add more water when the paper towel dries up, but avoid waterlogging the seeds.
It took 13 days for us to see the first lemon seed sprouting. But it seemed like an eternity.
And here is how our seeds looked at 4 weeks!
At the 5-week mark, we got a ruler out and measured our sprouted seeds for the fun of it. 11 centimeters! Or about 4.3 inches.
The next step in growing lemon trees is planting the seeds. It’s best if you plant the seed in a pot filled with good-quality potting soil.
The seed needs to be covered with about half an inch of soil.
Much care goes into nurturing the sprouting seeds into a full-grown tree: air, water, sunlight, and love.
As the seedling begins to grow, it stretches towards the sun. The sun provides energy through a process called photosynthesis, which the plant needs to grow. The leaves capture sunlight and convert it into energy to fuel the plant’s growth. Meanwhile, the roots of the seedling anchor it in the ground and absorb water and nutrients from the soil.
Growing trees from seeds is a fascinating project for kids. It’s also meaningful, rewarding, and educational.
We planted all our sprouted seeds! Yep, we are growing a whole bunch of lemon trees. What’s notable, though, is that they are all growing at different rates depending on where my kids positioned them.
We are at a six-month mark right now, and our lemon trees continue to grow, getting taller and stronger.
We know that, eventually, our trees will start to flower. And if we put our pots outside, the flowers can get pollinated by bees or other insects, and from these pollinated flowers, lemons will start to grow! I will update here when that happens!
Growing lime tree from seeds (DAY 1 to DAY 430)
FAQ
How long does it take for a lemon tree to fully grow?
What are the stages of lemon tree growth?
- The Toddler Years of the Lemon Tree. At this point, the lemon seedling resembles a young toddler, full of potential. …
- The Teenage Phase. Fast forward a couple of years, and the lemon tree enters its adolescent phase! …
- Blossoming and Flowering. …
- Abundance of Fruits.
What does Epsom salt do for lemon trees?
… and medium levels of potassium, feeding mature trees with Epsom salts about three times a year can keep them looking their best and producing more fruitMar 22, 2025
Do flowers on a lemon tree turn into lemons?
Like with all citrus trees, Meyer Lemon blooms turn into fruit, so if you don’t have blooms, life won’t give you lemons. So, how exactly do you get these blooms? Make your tree comfortable. Under the proper care conditions, your citrus tree will have a ton of blossoms!