How much water does a lemon tree need?

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.

How much water a lemon tree needs depends on its size, age, season, and soil. Research from the University of Arizona found that mature citrus trees use about 60 inches of water a year, and lemons use about 20 percent more than oranges. Water in-ground trees deeply and infrequently: every 2 to 3 days right after planting, then stretching to every 10 to 30 days for trees 3 years and older, depending on the season. Water potted lemons whenever the top 2 inches of soil feel dry.

If you are unsure whether to water, check the soil rather than the calendar. For a potted lemon, push a finger 2 inches into the mix and water only when it feels dry, then water until it drains. For an in-ground tree, let the top 6 inches of soil dry between waterings, then soak from the trunk to just past the drip line. Curled, dull green leaves mean the tree needs water now.

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

How often to water lemon trees?

Lemon trees in the ground need water less often as they age, but each watering should be deep. Container-grown and newly planted trees need water more often. Large trees need a larger volume of water than small trees.

According to the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, mature citrus trees use about 60 inches of water per year. Depending on canopy size, that can mean anywhere from 17 gallons a day in winter to 135 gallons a day in summer for a very large tree. Arizona also notes that lemons and grapefruit use about 20 percent more water than oranges. Even so, citrus should not be watered daily. Frequent, shallow watering leaves part of the root zone dry.

So, let’s break it down by age and season. Newly planted lemon trees need water more often while their roots grow out of the original root ball. Arizona recommends watering every 2 to 3 days for the first month after planting and every 3 to 5 days for the next 2 months.

Soil type changes the schedule too. Arizona advises the shorter interval for sandy or gravelly soil and the longer interval for silt or clay. Let the soil dry to a depth of about 6 inches before watering again, which limits soil-borne root diseases.

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 in a hot, dry climate, adapted from Table 2 of University of Arizona Cooperative Extension (publication AZ1151). Water more often during heat waves and less often in cool or rainy weather. In milder climates, the longer intervals usually apply.

How often to water lemon trees after planting

Newly planted lemon trees have not yet grown roots beyond the planting hole. Water every 2 to 3 days for the first month after planting, then every 3 to 5 days for the next couple of months, per Arizona’s schedule.

How often to water lemon trees in pots

Lemon trees in pots need water more often than trees in the ground. University of Maryland Extension recommends checking the soil once or twice a week by pressing a finger 2 inches into the mix and watering when it feels dry. Potted citrus outdoors in summer may need water every day, while indoor plants are easy to overwater.

How often to water young lemon trees

From about 4 months to 1 year after planting, Arizona’s intervals range from every 2 to 5 days in midsummer to every 14 days in winter. In cooler weather, when evaporation is slower, wait longer between waterings.

In the second year, stretch the interval to every 7 to 10 days in summer and every 14 to 21 days in winter.

How often to water mature lemon trees

Trees that have been in the ground for 3 years or more need water every 10 to 14 days in the heat of summer and every 21 to 30 days in winter, according to Arizona. Each watering must be large enough to wet the whole root zone.

Whenever you water, wet the soil from the trunk to just beyond the drip line and to a depth of at least 2 feet, as University of Arizona Cooperative Extension recommends.

How much water does a lemon tree need?

The volume depends mostly on canopy size and the month. Arizona’s table for oranges lists about 15 gallons a day in July for a tree with a 10-foot canopy, and lemons need about 20 percent more. That daily total is applied as one deep soaking at the recommended interval, not as daily sprinkles. Small potted lemons need far less. Water until it runs from the drainage hole.

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

Lemons originated in Asia and spread to the Mediterranean, where they grow in full sun.

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 moved through the tree, and fruit development suffers. Arizona notes that the first sign of water stress is smaller fruit. The first visible sign is leaves that turn dull green and curl inward from the edges. Continued stress dries the leaves from the tip and causes leaf, flower, and fruit drop.

How to water lemon trees?

How you water lemon plants can influence growth as much as how often you water. Aim the water at the soil, not 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. A container holds less soil and dries out faster, so check it once or twice a week and water when the top 2 inches are dry. Pot size, sun, and heat all change how often that happens.

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

References

• University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Irrigating Citrus Trees (AZ1151)
• PennState Extension, Grow Your Own Lemons
• University of Minnesota, Growing Citrus Indoors
• University of Maryland, Growing Dwarf Citrus
• Growing Tasty Tropical Plants in Any Home, Anywhere, by Laurelynn Martin and Byron Martin
• The Pruning Book, by Lee Reich