How to Grow a Lemon Plant in a Cup

 

Have you ever thought of growing a potted lemon tree? So while that might sound like a lot of effort (ambitious too), growing a lemon seed in a small cup is actually pretty simple. I’ve done it, and let me tell you — it is satisfying, and fun, to watch that little seed sprout and grow. And, if it does not yield any fruit, a small lemon tree will bring a pop of natural beauty to any space.

Why Grow a Lemon Tree in a Cup?

You may be saying to yourself, “Well, why would I want to grow a lemon tree in a cup instead of a pot or in the ground?” You can start small by growing it in a cup, which is perfect if you have limited space or are hesitant to commit to a large harvest. I personally don’t have much space so growing a lemon in a cup is quite convenient. It’s also easy to keep tabs on the seed’s progress and move it to a sunnier location if need be. If the plant grows bigger, you can always transplant it to a larger pot.

What You’ll Need to Plant a Lemon in a Cup

To begin, you will need the following supplies:

one fresh lemon

A cup (plastic or ceramic is fine)

Soil mix (I prefer citrus/rose friendly soil)

A piece of plastic with a knot or a tiny see-through bag

Water

A sunny location (such as a wind

owsill)

With these simple basics you are good to start growing your own mini lemon tree!!

Step 1: Select and Prepare the Lemon Seeds

Step 1: Start with a lemon First up: get yourself a lemon. I say yes to using an organic lemon, as non-organic lemons can be sprayed with chemicals to keep seeds from sprouting.

Here’s what to do:

Cut the lemon in half and scoop out some of the seeds

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Wash seeds in water and remove as much of the sticky pulp as possible. Be gentle!

Pat the seeds dry with a paper towel, but don’t allow them to sit out very long. Lemon seeds need to be kept moist in order to germinate.

Step 2: The Cup – Planting the Seed in the Cup

Here’s how:

Fill the cup with potting soil, leaving a half-inch of space at the top.

Poke a little hole in the soil (about a half inch deep) and slip the seed in. The pointed end of the seed should go up and the rounded end go down.Sprinkle seeds with a fine layer of soil and tamp lightly. Don’t cram it in too tightly, though — you want there to be a little air in there for the seed.

Step 3: Add Water and Cover the Cup

Water the soil lightly after you planted. You don’t want to drown it — just enough to get the soil moist.

To keep the seed warm and humid, cover the top of the cup with plastic wrap or a small clear plastic bag. This produces a mini greenhouse effect, which is exactly what you want for growing seeds. I prefer to poke a couple of small holes in the plastic for ventilation.

Step 4: Set Your Cup in the Sun

Your lemon pit will require a nice warm and sunny spot to start sprouting. I have mine on a windowsill, where it can soak up natural light. Lemon seeds need around 8 hours of sunlight a day on average, so you will want to position yours where it can soak up as much sun as it can.

If you don’t have a really sunny spot, you can use a grow light instead.

Step 5: Water Consistently and Wait It Out

Now, we wait. Test the soil every couple of days, to ensure it’s still damp. If it looks dry, toss in a little water. Just mind you don’t hit it with too much water, as excessive moisture can cause the seed to rot.

In about 2-4 weeks, you will have a tiny little green sprout popping up from the soil. This is a huge win! Keep the plastic cover on until the sprout is a couple of inches high, then take it off to allow the plant a little more air.How to Take Care of a Lemon

When your starting cross possesses starts out thriving, it truly is time to have a modest amount of extra creativity.

Light: Put your little lemon plant in the sunniest window available.

Water: Water when the top inch of the soil feels dry. More water is not always better!

Fertilizer: Fertilize the plant with balanced fertilizer every few weeks once a couple of months have passed. 12.) Citrus are particularly eager, somewhere between the whippet and barrel racer in the race for a little extra feeding.

What you can expect as your lemon tree grows

A lemon tree that you grow from seed might not produce fruit for a couple of years, or at all, but that’s ok, my friends. Even if it doesn’t, you’ll have a nice, leafy green plant to spruce up your place. With a little luck and time, your tree might bloom a little and fruit even small lemons! Trust me, the plant itself is so beautiful, you won’t regret it.

Just keep in mind that lemon trees need sun and a little extra love, especially if you’re growing them indoors. With some love and care your plant will blossom and bring some fresh green into your home.