Growing lemon trees is fun, and they give you lots of juicy, sour fruit that you can use in many recipes. But you need to repot your lemon tree at the right time to keep it healthy and useful. Repotting gives the plant new soil and room for its roots to grow, which boosts growth. This article tells you when and how to repot lemon trees.
Why Repotting is Necessary
Repotting is an essential part of lemon tree care. Over time, as the tree grows, its roots get tangled and crowded in the pot. This restricts growth, resulting in symptoms like:
- Smaller leaves and fruits
- Lackluster growth
- Wilting or drooping
- Early leaf drop
Moving plants to a bigger pot with new potting mix will help their roots grow again. It gives the roots more room to spread out and better access to water and food. This leads to:
- Bigger, healthier leaves and fruits
- More vigorous growth
- Increased drought tolerance
- Extended leaf retention
Repotting every 2-3 years keeps your lemon tree thriving. Allowing a rootbound lemon tree to go too long without repotting leads to decline.
When is the Best Time to Repot a Lemon Tree?
Timing is crucial when repotting lemon trees. The ideal time is early spring, just as new growth emerges after winter dormancy. Early spring repotting allows the roots to establish before summer heat. Other good times are
- Early fall when growth slows
- During the summer if urgently needed
Do not repot the tree in the winter, when it is dormant, or in the fall, when it is flowering or fruiting. If you repot a tree at the wrong time, it could be shocked, which could hurt its flowers and fruit production.
Signs Your Lemon Tree Needs Repotting
Watch for these signs your lemon tree is ready for a larger pot:
- Roots are visible at the surface or emerging from drainage holes
- Slow, stunted growth compared to previous years
- Leaves are smaller and more yellow than normal
- Branches are drooping or bending under the weight of the plant
- Soil dries out very quickly indicating a rootbound root ball
If you see a combination of these issues, it’s definitely time to repot that lemon tree. Take action in early spring or fall.
How to Repot a Lemon Tree Step-by-Step
Follow this simple process for successful lemon tree repotting
Choose a New Container
Select a pot that is 2-4 inches wider than the current container. Make sure it has drainage holes. For outdoor trees, choose a weatherproof material like terracotta or plastic.
Prepare New Potting Mix
Use a well-draining potting mix formulated for citrus. Mix in compost or worm castings to enrich nutrition. Moisten the soil before repotting.
Water the Lemon Tree
Water thoroughly 1-2 days before repotting. This makes it easier to remove the rootball.
Remove from Current Pot
Slide the tree out, teasing the roots loose if needed. Check for circling or tangled roots and gently loosen them.
Trim Damaged Roots
Using clean shears, prune away any diseased or broken roots. This encourages new root growth.
Set in New Container
Place into the new pot at the same level it was growing before. Fill gaps with more potting mix.
Water Well
Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom. This removes air pockets. Allow excess water to drain fully.
Provide Aftercare
Keep the tree shaded for a few days, then resume normal care. Hold off fertilizing for a month after repotting.
With this simple repotting process, your lemon tree will flourish with renewed vigor and better fruiting!
Common Repotting Mistakes
Avoid these missteps when repotting lemon trees:
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Using a too-large container results in wet soil and root rot. Size up gradually.
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Failing to loosen tangled roots blocks growth. Gently separate circling roots.
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Repotting in winter or during flowering stresses the plant. Stick to early spring or fall.
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Neglecting aftercare like shade and reduced watering leads to transplant shock.
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Not pruning damaged roots leaves disease that can spread. Always trim them.
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Packing soil too densely or leaving air pockets harms new root formation. Settle soil gently.
With attentive care while repotting and proper aftercare, you can avoid setbacks and have a thriving lemon tree.
Caring For a Lemon Tree After Repotting
Proper aftercare ensures your repotted lemon tree recovers quickly:
- Shelter from sun and wind for 1-2 weeks as it adjusts
- Check soil moisture frequently, watering when just partly dry
- Hold off fertilizing for a month to avoid root damage
- Monitor for transplant shock like leaf drop or yellowing
- Delay major pruning for a few months to allow recovery
- Resume normal care once established, usually within 2-3 months
Be patient with your newly repotted lemon tree. With attentive aftercare, it will establish and begin growing vigorously again.
Troubleshooting Repotting Problems
If your lemon tree experiences issues after repotting like leaf drop or failure to thrive, review these troubleshooting tips:
Leaf drop or yellowing – This indicates transplant shock. Provide more shade and don’t overwater as it recovers.
Lack of new growth – The tree may be potbound. Loosen circling roots and prune any damaged ones.
Wilting leaves – Check for dry soil and water immediately. Too-wet soil causes similar symptoms, so adjust watering frequency.
Leaf curl – This signals overwatering. Allow the soil dry out further between waterings.
Dieback of branches – Root damage likely occurred. Prune damaged roots, provide shade, and reduce watering temporarily.
With attentive troubleshooting and care, your lemon tree will adjust to its new pot in time for spring growth.
The Importance of Ongoing Care
While periodic repotting is vital, providing consistent care year-round keeps lemon trees thriving:
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Water when the top few inches of soil become dry. Increase frequency in summer.
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Fertilize every 1-2 months during spring through fall with citrus fertilizer.
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Prune in late winter to shape and remove dead branches. Make conservative cuts.
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Monitor for pests like aphids or diseases like fungal leaf spot and treat promptly.
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In winter, protect from frost and reduce watering frequency.
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Repot every 2-3 years in early spring when rootbound symptoms appear.
With diligent care and attentive repotting, your container lemon tree will stay healthy and productive for years to come!
How to grow orange and lemon trees
Grow orange and lemon trees in terracotta pots in a sheltered, sunny spot such as in front of a south- or west-facing wall. They do best in high humidity. In summer, water around once a week, using rainwater if possible. Feed them weekly with liquid seaweed and a citrus fertiliser. Cut back the plant in the spring so that light and air can get to the center. Also, get rid of any branches that look dry, thin, tired, or lacking in energy. Move indoors in winter, where it remains cool but frost-free.
Watch Monty Don demonstrate how to look after a lemon tree growing in a pot:
Find out how to grow lemon trees and other citrus plants, below.
Caring for orange and lemon trees in summer
When your orange or lemon tree starts to grow again in the spring, you should move it outside to a spot with lots of sun. The important thing is to protect them from sudden temperature changes. Look out for late frost forecasts and keep some horticultural fleece handy – youll need it to cover and protect the new growth if frosts are predicted.
Prune in spring once its outside and producing new shoots. Cut back the plant’s center so that air and light can flow through, and cut off any branches that look sick, dry, or weak. Cut out any suckers that appear at the base of the plant. Trim again in September to keep plants to the desired size. Dont worry about pruning too much, most citrus (especially lemon trees) are vigorous and will benefit from pruning by producing more flowers and fruit on their remaining, strongest branches.
On young plants, its best to remove fruits, as they take a lot of energy to produce. Aim to encourage the tree to bear fewer but larger fruits, until its more mature. Pick any ripe fruits when you move the plants indoors in autumn, and again when you move them outside again, as ripe fruit can inhibit flower production.
How to Repot a Meyer Lemon Tree |Plus Organic Care Tips|
FAQ
What is the best time to repot a lemon tree?
The best time to root prune or repot your indoor lemon tree is early spring through to mid-summer. At that time of year the tree’s roots are actively growing and they will quickly expand into the fresh soil to take advantage of the moisture and nutrients there.
Do lemon trees need big pots?
Selecting the Right Pot for Your Lemon Tree Opt for a pot that is at least 12-15 inches deep with ample drainage holes. Avoid pots that are excessively large, as this could lead to over-watering issues. Materials like terra-cotta are excellent as they provide breathability for the roots.
Do lemon trees like being root bound?
Citrus trees like to become root bound and will actually produce more once they have done so. Near me, there is a high-end citrus greenhouse called Logee’s. Most of their citrus is in pots. Just keep it watered and give it a little fertilizer every once in a while and it will live for decades.
What is the lifespan of a potted lemon tree?
Meyer Lemons are like the little engine that could. As a whole, they stay fairly small, even when planted outdoors. Most Meyer Lemons live to be about 50 years old, and they begin to fruit as early as 2 years into their lifecycle.
How do you repot a lemon tree?
The best time to repot is in the spring, just ahead of peak growing season. To repot, gently remove the lemon tree from its container and brush away any excess soil. After that, put it in a new pot that is one to two inches wider and fill in any gaps with fresh potting mix. Water thoroughly and leave to settle.
How do you know if a lemon tree needs repotting?
Observe the growth patterns of your lemon tree. If you notice signs of stress or overcrowding in its current pot, such as stunted growth or roots protruding from drainage holes, it may be an indication that repotting is necessary sooner rather than later.
When should you repot a lemon tree?
The choice is yours. Remember that the ultimate size of the lemon is directly related to the size of the container, so if you want a larger tree, it’s time to get a bigger pot. Once you’ve decided to repot the plant instead of cutting back its roots, plan to do it in the spring, when the tree is getting ready to grow new leaves.