How Often to Water Your Lemon Tree for Maximum Growth—2 Rules Gardeners Swear By

Having fresh lemons for drinks and cooking is the best part of growing a lemon tree in your garden or a container, and proper watering is essential to ensure the tree sets and grows enough fruit.

Learn how often and the right way to water a lemon tree for maximum growth.

How Often to Water a Lemon Tree

Watering frequency depends on the age of your lemon tree, weather conditions, and whether it is planted in the ground or a container.

Garden-Grown Lemon Trees

If you are planting a new lemon tree, frequent watering is important for growth and to help the tree adapt to its new environment. When planting the tree, be sure the soil is wet to a depth of at least 3 inches. Then water the tree 2 to 3 times per week for approximately the first month. Monitor rainfall in your area, and if you receive 1/2 inch (or more) during a single rainy day, do not water for a couple of days to prevent overwatering.

Once established, allow the top 3 inches of soil to dry before watering. Mature trees need deep watering two times per month in warm weather and less frequent watering in cool weather. Do not provide additional irrigation during rainy periods.

Container-Grown Lemon Trees

Container-grown lemon trees need more frequent watering. Water regularly, when the top 2–3 inches of soil dry out. Frequency depends on whether you use a plastic or terracotta pot.

Always be sure the container has good drainage because soggy roots will reduce fruit production and may cause the lemon tree to die.

The Right Way to Water a Lemon Tree

Whether the tree is planted in the garden or a container, the right way to deliver water is slowly, at the soil level. For established trees, water under the canopy and slightly beyond the drip line. A drip irrigation hose will add moisture slowly and allow it to seep into the soil before running off. Overhead irrigation is discouraged to prevent leaf disease and spotting.

Water deeply until the soil is moist at least 3 inches deep to establish a strong root system. It is better to skip a watering than to apply small amounts of water every day.

Common Lemon Tree Maintenance

In addition to giving a lemon tree adequate irrigation, there are other components of routine care that you should do to keep the tree healthy.

Mulching

In the garden, maintain a 3–4 inch layer of organic mulch under the tree to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Keep the mulch 6 to 12 inches away from the trunk.

Fertilizing

For newly planted trees, use a small amount of nitrogen fertilizer (1 tablespoon per month) in the watering solution during the spring and summer growing season. Increase the amount by the age of the tree each month until the tree is four to five years old.

Mature trees need about one pound of a balanced NPK fertilizer per year. Always read the package directions for application.

For container-grown lemon trees, use a complete citrus fertilizer with micronutrients and follow the label directions for the application, depending on the size of your tree.

Pruning

Pruning to open the center of the tree to receive more sunlight will increase fruit production. For young trees, prune only to remove suckers along the trunk and any vertical watersprouts that are too close to other branches.

Once the tree is mature, around 5 years, remove any dead, crossing, or too closely spaced wood that forms in the center. Prune off branches that touch the ground. Finally, prune to control size if it is crowding other trees. Prune in late winter or early spring.

Overwintering and Frost Protection

Most garden lemon trees have some cold tolerance, but will suffer when the temperature drops below 28 degrees for more than a few hours. If freezing temperatures are predicted, pick any ripe fruit and cover the trunks of young trees with burlap or newspaper to insulate them.

Cover the foliage of small trees with a sheet or burlap. Be sure to remove the protection when the temperatures rise above freezing. If the tree is damaged by frost, remove damaged fruit, but wait several months before pruning damaged leaves or branches.

Container-grown lemon trees in colder growing zones should be brought inside before the first predicted frost of the season.

Harvesting Lemons

Allow lemons to ripen fully on the tree because the fruit does not continue to ripen once picked. Taste fruit periodically and pick when it suits your taste. It is normal for a tree to drop many of its young fruit. Many varieties have a heavy crop one year, then a light crop the next year.