The dwarf type can be grown conveniently indoors in a pot or in a yard with limited space. It is said that one adult tree can provide fruit for the whole neighborhood. The Lisbon variety is a hardy tree but prefers a warmer climate.

For areas of the country with frequent frost temperatures the Eureka type is preferable. The Lisbon lemon tree will die back to the roots after a hard frost. The Lisbon has sharp spines in abundance but this is a small drawback considering it’s other useful qualities.

The dwarf Lisbon lemon tree can be traced back originally to Portugal. Today it is one of the most popular varieties of lemon trees in California. The Lisbon needs lots of sun and nutrient rich soil.

It should be fertilized frequently with nitrogen, potassium and organic matter. If potted be sure to keep it well drained. If the tree is kept out of doors part of the year and brought in doors for winter you have two options for keeping it healthy.

If you keep it in the sun while indoors than you need to fertilize it several times in order to promote continued growth. It can also be kept in a cooler room with no sunlight and it will become essentially dormant for the indoor/winter season and will not require fertilization.

With a little work and attention, you are sure to love your tree for many years to come.

Tip 1. When purchasing a key lime tree, first check with your local nursery. Purchase a grafted key lime tree, I wouldn’t try and grow one from seed. If you purchase a tree online, check if there is a guarantee and how the tree will be shipped. It is best to get a tree at least one year old.

Tip 2. A plastic pot with great drainage should be purchased. Be sure the pot is at least 16 inches across. Also, be sure to put some stones in the bottom of the pot before you put in the soil. This will help with draining the water.

Tip 3. Use soil that is light and well draining, and has at least 25% compost material. Plant the tree so that the root crown is just below the surface. Don’t cover the trunk.

Tip 4. Place the tree in a spot where it will get 8 or more hours of direct sunlight. Keep the room temperature around 70 degrees during the day. If the temperature goes below 55 degrees, your key lime tree will become dormant.

Tip 5. Protect the tree from cooling and heating vents as this will damage the leaves.

Tip 6. Water the tree sparingly. Don’t use sterile water, use rain water if possible. Water it well, and then let the soil dry out before you water again. If you use too much water, the tree will get root rot.

Tip 7. Mist the tree with water in a spray bottle as this will give it the humidity it needs.

Tip 8. I recommend using fertilizer specific for citrus trees. Using the wrong or too much fertilizer may kill you tree.

Tip 9. Because the key lime tree is indoors, the bees and bugs from outside can not pollinate your tree. The Tasteful Garden says, “To ensure the setting of fruit when plants are growing indoors, use a small brush to lift the pollen from the stamen (male part of the flower) of one blossom and gently dust it onto the pistil (female part of the flower) in the center of another. Within a few days the pistol should begin to develop a tiny new fruit.”

Tip 10. The key limes will appear in clusters of 6 after the blooms have died. Thin these clusters to around 2 or 3 so your key limes will flourish. If you don’t, you will still get key limes, they will just be smaller.

This tree is a great plant for the indoors though it does not like the full sun or air drafts. If grown in the northern climates, grow lights are an excellent source of light. The tree should be planted in a light soil mix of peat moss, perlite and vermiculite. It should also have good drainage and needs to be watered every few weeks. Do allow the soil to dry out between watering as the roots will rot if left sitting in water.

If planted in a container, the tree will not grow larger than 8 feet. The tree itself has thorns, but the fruit is worth the effort. It is not freeze tolerant, so do not place the tree outside in the winter. Do keep it warm, as it loves the heat and will blossom if kept in 80 to 90 degrees.

Be sure to mist the leaves with a water spray daily. The trees love humidity.

The lemon blossoms of the Ponderosa Lemon Tree are very sweet smelling and do need to be pollinated by hand. To pollinate, use a small paint brush and rub the pollen within the flower. Fruit will ripen in approximately 6 to 9 months.

Fertilize the tree approximately every six months using citrus tree fertilizer or an acid loving water soluble product.

The lemon tree is usually grown by grafting cuttings to various citrus root stocks and can also be grown from seed. Be sure to check with your local nursery or a reputable online nursery for great trees.

Since these trees are very easy to care for, you have no problems having natural lemon juice for cooking and the fruit because of its size and bumpy skin is a wonderful conversation starter. Enjoy

Step One:

Take your time choosing your tree’s container.

The best container to use will be approximately 6 inches larger than the container your tree was sold in. You will also want to look for a container that has larger than average drainage holes. A dwarf eureka lemon tree needs well drained soil to maintain a healthy root system, a container that has smaller drainage holes will lead to soggy and weak roots.

Step Two:

Take your time choosing your potting soil.

A dwarf eureka lemon tree will actually prefer sandy, dry soil and will not do well in most retail brands of potting soil. To begin planting your tree start by filling your container half way with loose, dry soil.

Step Three:

Take your time planting your tree.

Citrus trees as a species are less hardy than other tree types and can be fragile while being transplanted or placed into a new container. To begin planting your dwarf eureka lemon tree carefully remove it from its original pot and lightly shake the access soil from the roots. Be carefully not to damage the smaller, newly formed roots. Now, place the tree into your container and fill the remaining space with your sandy potting soil, packing it down firmly as you go.

Step Four:

Take your time watering your new citrus tree.

Dwarf eureka lemon trees love moist soil and need to be watered every day. If you are keeping your container tree indoors you may want to keep a small misting bottle and give the leaves a light spray every morning. You may also wipe the leaves of your citrus tree with a damp cloth to remove dust; this is not necessary for plant health but will improve the appearance of an indoor tree.

Step Five:

Take your time enjoying the fruits of your labor.

A dwarf eureka lemon tree is a great house or container plant and can be a lot of fun to own! It is a good idea to replant your tree into a larger pot once every year and you will enjoy bright, juicy fruit every season! Remember, always make time to stop and smell the lemons!