How much water does a lemon tree need? 🍋 💧 Quenching its thirst the right way

As one of the most famous fruits around the world, lemon trees are often the first fruit tree new gardeners purchase, or at least the first citrus tree. Grown indoors and out, these plants produce masses of fruits reliably each year almost all year round.

The amount of water a lemon tree needs depends on the size of the root system and the aboveground canopy it supports. A young indoor lemon tree in a small pot may need only 1 quart of water at a time, while a mature outdoor tree may need 60 inches of rainwater and/or irrigation each year. Regarding how often to water, these trees are best watered whenever the top 2 inches of soil has dried out.

Read on to learn all about the watering requirements of lemon trees!

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How often to water lemon trees?

Lemon trees grown in the ground are typically watered about once a week, while container-grown trees and newly-planted trees need to be watered more frequently. Large trees need a larger volume of water than small trees.

According to the University of Arizona, mature citrus trees need 60 inches of water per year to grow successfully. However, that statistic doesn’t help gardeners much. Translating an inch/year estimate into a weekly routine is incredibly tricky, especially when you have other plants to care for.

So, let’s break it down by age and season. Newly planted lemon trees need to be watered more often to establish strong root systems that can support them when they mature. Soon after planting, expect to water your tree around 2-3 times per week. This should be a deep watering to encourage the young roots to grow downwards more than outwards, helping them access the moisture in the lower levels of the soil.

These estimates will also be influenced by the level of drainage in the soil. If your soil does not drain well, watering once a week will lead to rotting in the roots, ultimately killing the tree. Your soil should be on the sandier side to prevent any excess from hanging out around the roots and encourage fungal growth.

Also, consider rainfall in this calculation. If you’ve recently received a good amount of rain in your region, there is no need to consider watering that week or potentially the week after if the tree is outdoors. Judge the levels of moisture in the soil and check the weather forecast before watering again.

Lemon tree watering schedule

This lemon tree watering schedule is for trees planted in the ground. For container-grown trees, plan to water the trees 2-3x more than in-ground trees.

Growth stage	Spring	Summer	Fall	Winter
Newly-planted (6-8 weeks after planting)	every 2-3 days	every 2-3 days	every 2-3 days	every 3-5 days
Young (planted less than 2 years ago)	every 1-2 weeks	twice a week in hot weather	every 1-2 weeks	every 2-3 weeks
Established (planted 3 or more years ago)	every 2-3 weeks	every 1-2 weeks	every 2-3 weeks	every 3-4 weeks

How often should you water lemon trees after planting?

Newly-planted lemon trees have not yet developed their root systems outside the planting hole. Plan to water your lemon tree every 2-3 days in the first month after planting. After the first month, decrease the frequency to every 3-5 days for the following couple of months.

How often to water lemon trees in pots?

Lemon trees in pots need to be watered more often than lemon trees in the ground. They may only require weekly watering during most of the year but may need to be watered every 2 days during the heat of summer. Decrease watering to once every week or two during the winter.

How often to water lemon trees while they are young?

Once the roots have been in the soil for about three months and have become somewhat established, watering can generally be reduced to around once per week, potentially longer depending on your tree’s performance. In cooler weather, when evaporation is slower, you can wait slightly longer between waterings. In high temperatures, you’ll need to water more often than once a week to keep the roots cool and prevent stress.

For the first year or two, water your lemon tree about once a week. In the winter, decrease watering to every two weeks. In the heat of summer, increase watering to 2-3 times per week.

How often to water mature lemon trees?

Mature lemon tree water requirements are much different than for young or newly-planted trees. Trees that have been in the ground for three or more years can typically be watered about every two weeks. In the winter, decrease the watering frequency to about once every 3 weeks. In the heat of summer, increase watering to about every 7-10 days.

In general, lemon trees should be watered very deeply whenever irrigation is applied, but the time between watering should be extended to as long as possible before the trees show signs of water stress.

How much water does a lemon tree need?

Lemon trees typically need an inch or two of water applied once or twice weekly. Container-grown lemon trees typically require watering more frequently. They may need to be watered every day or two if grown outdoors during hot weather.

Lemon tree watering is different for older trees in the ground. Mature lemon trees with large canopies and root systems will require a much larger volume of irrigation water than young trees. Irrigation amounts for mature trees are typically measured in inches of irrigation water. Put a can with flat sides out at the drip line of the tree to measure inches of water.

Growing lemons at home

Meyer and Eureka lemons are the varieties typically grown by gardeners. These trees reach maturity quickly and produce the stunning sunny fruits we all know and love. But, the beauty of growing your own lemons is that you have many more options to choose from, differing in size and texture.

Lemon trees aren’t usually considered difficult to care for. They are self-pollinating and only need a basic pruning every now and then for the strongest possible growth. However, if you’re looking for the juiciest fruits possible, one of the key elements of care you will need to consider is watering.

Native habitats of lemon trees

Lemon trees are native to Asia but spread across Europe several hundred years ago to also find homes in the Mediterranean regions of the south. In these areas, they grow in full sun positions with little humidity.

Conditions are also warm year-round, meaning lemon trees are not hardy. When growing outdoors, they generally won’t survive in USDA Zones below 9, but they can be brought indoors to protect them from the cold.

In these native habitats, lemon trees grow in well-draining soil that can quickly drain away heavy rains in short periods. They can handle slightly dry soil for a while, but shouldn’t be left without moisture for too long as the high heat and intense sun can lead to stress.

Without water, nutrients are not absorbed and transported around the tree, impacting fruit development. Lack of water can also lead to smaller fruits with a less pleasant taste. Leaves may lose their color and eventually start to wilt if the problem is severe. That’s why watering is so essential when growing lemon trees in your own garden or in containers.

How often to water lemon trees in the fall

How to water lemon trees?

How you water lemon plants can also influence growth as much as how often you water. You should always focus the water stream on the soil, avoiding the branches and leaves.

Lemon trees are prone to several diseases that can take over the tree. Your risk of dealing with these is much higher when water accumulates above the soil. Pruning effectively will also stop pockets of moisture from collecting in the tree after rain and leading to rot.

Whenever you water manually, make sure to water deeply. Moisture should reach the entire root system, including those roots deep in the soil. Water the tree just past where the leaves end evenly around the base to cover every inch of soil.

If you live in a dry area with little rainfall, you may want to consider irrigation. This saves both water and time and helps forgetful gardeners to water sufficiently at the right time with little effort.

How to water lemon trees in containers?

If you’re growing your lemon tree in a pot, the process is slightly different. As there is less space in a container and moisture drains away quickly, you’ll generally need to water around twice per week, potentially more often depending on the size of the pot and the light level the tree receives.

When considering how often to water dwarf lemon trees in a pot (such as Meyer Lemon Tree watering), know that the tree might need to be watered as much as every day or two during hot weather. These trees are completely dependent upon the gardener for moisture as their roots are separated from the natural ecosystem.

In full sun and hot weather, increase your watering frequency sizably to combat soil that dries out too quickly. Also make drainage a priority by planting in the right containers and never leaving the pot sitting in water. How often to water a lemon tree in a pot depends largely upon the evaporation the plant is experiencing in its natural environment.

FAQs

Do lemon trees need a lot of water?

Lemon trees do need a lot of water to thrive in cultivation. Mature lemon trees don’t need to be watered very often, but when they are watered, its best to water the soil very deeply. Newly-planted and container-grown trees typically don’t need as much volume, but they need watering much more frequently.

How often should you water a lemon tree in summer?

When considering how often to water lemon trees in summer, first check the soil. If the top 2 inches are dry, water the plant immediately. If the weather is quite hot and the tree is in the sun, water container-grown trees every day or two.

Newly-planted trees should be watered every 2-3 days for the first month or two. Young trees can be watered every 3-7 days or whenever the top 2 inches of soil is dry. Mature trees can be watered every 10-14 days, even in July and August.

How much water does a potted lemon tree need?

Young potted lemons in smaller pots need a quart or two of water every time the top 2 inches of soil is dry. Larger potted lemons will require several gallons of water for each watering but can be watered on the same frequency.