How long do lemon trees live? 🍋 ⏳ Discovering their fruitful lifespan

Lemon trees have become a famous fruit tree in the garden or home. When purchasing a plant, an important thing to consider is how long it will live. So, how long do lemon trees live?

Lemon trees usually live for 30-50 years. Indoor potted trees tend to have shorter lifespans than trees planted in the ground outdoors. Lemon trees can grow to over 100 years old in good conditions.

Keep reading to learn about lemon trees and their life expectancy indoors and outdoors.

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How long do lemon trees live?

Lemon trees usually live about 30-50 years. Trees that are grown indoors or are grown in a pot are typically not as long-lived. Young trees tend to stop growing well if they are not receiving enough light, water, or nutrients.

Lemon trees can reach 100 or more years (and still produce lemons at that age) in ideal growing conditions. The fun thing about most plants is there is a general lifespan, but depending on their living conditions, they can far outgrow those expectations.

How often do lemon trees bear fruit?

Lemon trees bear fruit once per year. Young trees don’t start blossoming until they are a few years old. It will usually take 3 to 5 years for a new lemon tree from the nursery to begin sprouting fruit. If you want lemon trees that produce fruit immediately, purchase a mature citrus tree.

Lemon trees usually bloom in the spring. Once a lemon starts to form on the tree, it will take 6 to 9 months for the fruit to be ready to eat. Be patient while your fruit ripens.

What boosts a lemon tree’s lifespan?

Caring for your lemon tree by pruning it often and giving it appropriate fertilizer can boost its lifespan. If you want your citrus trees to thrive, pay attention to their needs and care for them daily.

To keep the lemon tree healthy, be sure not to overwater your plant. Overwatering will create root rot in the soil. You want a well-draining potting mix or soil to let the roots breathe as much as possible.

What is the life expectancy of a Meyer lemon tree?

Meyer lemon trees grow to be about 6 to 10 feet tall and live for about 50 years. They are the most common and most popular lemon trees and are fantastic outdoor lemon tree plants for your garden. If you’re looking for citrus trees with a healthy background, these are a great go-to.

How long will a lemon tree produce fruit?

A lemon tree will produce fruit for as long as it lives but how much fruit it produces may vary based on its health and age. A lemon tree will produce about 100 lemons annually as long as it is healthy and cared for.

How long do indoor lemon trees live?

Indoor lemon trees have a slightly shorter lifespan than those grown outdoors. They will still bear fruit in the same way, but they will only live for about 30 years compared to 50. An indoor lemon plant is a fantastic option for people with smaller land or no outdoor space. Planting lemon trees aren’t for everyone so an indoor lemon tree may be the best bet.

Should I pick all the lemons off my tree?

The earlier you pick a lemon, the more acidic it will be. You should pick a lemon when it is large and fully yellow. In the case of the Meyer lemon, wait for the lemon to be yellow-orange in color.

Do not pick green lemons; they won’t be ripe and will be highly acidic. The longer you leave the lemons on the tree, the less acidic they become.

An example of an old lemon tree

One of the oldest lemon trees known is Logee’s greenhouse ponderosa lemon tree, planted in 1900. Grandfather Logee ordered a Lemon tree from Philadelphia. It was planted in a pot and thrived, so Logee decided to plant it directly in the ground. It has remained there ever since, and a greenhouse now surrounds it. The greenhouse is known as The Lemon Tree House.

FAQs

How long have lemon trees been cultivated?

Lemon trees have been grown in Italy for centuries. The first recorded cultivated lemon tree was planted and cared for by the botanist Giovanni Baptista Ferrari.
Ferrari researched citrus trees, specifically lemon trees, in the 1630s. He asked people around the world about their knowledge of citrus trees: how they grow, how they bear fruit, how long they live, and much more. He created a portfolio of facts about his findings in De Florum Cultura.

Do other citrus trees have a similar lifespan to lemons?

All citrus trees have similar lifespans and grow to be about 50 years old. This includes orange trees, lemon trees, and even dwarf varieties. They will all begin bearing fruit around 2 or 3 years of age and live for 5 centuries. As stated before, indoor lemon trees will have a shorter lifespan as well.