Overview
Meyer lemon is a compact citrus hybrid valued for fragrant white flowers and round, thin-skinned yellow fruit with a milder flavor than standard lemons.
Mature Size and Habit
In the ground it can reach roughly 10 to 15 feet tall and wide, but pruning or container culture can keep it smaller.
Best Landscape Uses
Use it as an edible specimen in a sunny protected yard or as a large patio container plant.
Sunlight
Provide at least six to eight hours of direct sun for strong flowering and fruit production.
Soil, Drainage, and Irrigation
Use well-drained soil and keep mulch away from the trunk. Water deeply during establishment, then irrigate when the upper soil begins to dry.
Best Planting Season for Tampa and Central Florida
Plant in spring after the main frost risk or in early fall with enough time to establish before cold weather.
Pruning and Maintenance
Use a citrus fertilizer schedule, prune only for structure and dead wood, and monitor closely for Asian citrus psyllid, leafminer, scale, and disease symptoms.
Wildlife Value
Fragrant flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees.
Cold and Heat Sensitivity
Young trees and fruit are vulnerable to freezes. Protect the trunk and canopy during severe cold and avoid water stress during hot weather.
Safety, Roots, and Placement Warnings
Some stems may bear thorns. Citrus oils and plant material can be a pet concern if consumed in quantity. Keep fruit drop cleaned from walks.
Invasive Concerns
Meyer lemon is not native to Florida and is not considered invasive. Citrus greening and citrus canker are serious regional management concerns.
Helpful Resources
Local Delivery
Local delivery only in approved South Tampa ZIP codes. $600.00 minimum plant order. $100.00 flat delivery fee. Ecoscape will contact you to schedule delivery.
