Citrus x limon ‘Meyer’ (Meyer’s Lemon)

Citrus x limon ‘Meyer’ (Meyer’s Lemon) is a compact, spiny, evergreen shrub prized for its large rounded orange-yellow fruit, 3 in. across (8 cm), adorned with a smooth, thin skin. It is less acidic, juicier, sweeter than common lemons and has a pleasant hint of tangerine. The fragrant flowers are beautiful with their waxy white petals and their bundled white stamens adorned with yellow anthers. They shine against the evergreen foliage of ovate, glossy dark green leaves. Flowers and fruit appear throughout the year when grown outside in warm temperatures. However, Meyer’s Lemon may slip into dormancy if winter temperatures dip significantly below 55ºF (12ºC). An excellent substitute for true lemons, it is also quite ornamental around homes, patios or grown as a houseplant.

Meyer’s Lemon is believed to be a hybrid cross of Citrus limon (Lemon) and Citrus reticulata (Mandarin orange). The original Meyer tree was banned from commercial production decades ago as it was a symptomless carrier of viruses fatal to citrus fruit. It has been replaced with a virus-free variety that today is referred to as improved Meyer lemon.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
• Grows up to 6-10 ft. tall (180-300 cm) and 4-8 ft. wide (120-240 cm).
• A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in sandy, neutral or acidic, well-drained soils. Tolerates light shade but performs best in full sun. Needs water regularly but cannot stand flooding or saturated soils.
• Meyer Lemon is less sensitive to cold than any of the lemon-type fruits. While it can survive brief temperatures below 40ºF (4ºC), it does not tolerate frost. It thrives in climates where daily temperatures range from 70ºF (21ºC) in the daytime to 55ºF (12ºC) at night. Elsewhere, grow it indoors in a warm, sunny room and move it outdoors in late spring to a sunny spot protected from wind. Mist plants with water almost daily in winter. Hand pollination may be needed for indoor plants due to the lack of insects.
• No routine pruning necessary. Remove diseased, damaged, congested or crossing shoots.
• Generally disease free. Keep an eye out for citrus red spider mite, glasshouse red spider mite, soft scale and fluted scale, aphids, caterpillars and mealybugs under glass.
• Propagate by seed (seedlings will not come true to type) or semi-hardwood cuttings. When grown from seed, the tree usually fruits within 4 years.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.