Scale, mealybugs, spider mites, and whiteflies are possible citrus pests. Inspect leaves and stems before treating the plant.
How to care for an indoor lemon tree
Put the lemon tree in the brightest window you have, then water after the surface has started to dry and let the container drain.
Plant coveredCitrus limonIndoor lemon tree · Indoor container
Find a bright, steady position
Light and temperature
Give an indoor lemon tree the brightest available light, ideally from a south, southwest, or west window. Iowa guidance gives about 6–8 hours of direct light for indoor citrus, with supplemental light when needed.
Keep indoor citrus cooler and more humid in winter than a hot, dry centrally heated room. Iowa gives about 65–85°F days and 55–65°F nights, with leaf loss possible below 50°F.
Check the mix, drainage and pot
Watering, drainage and repotting
Keep the mix from staying wet. In winter, let the surface dry partly before watering thoroughly, then allow excess water to leave the pot.
Too much water can yellow leaves or damage roots, while too little can cause leaf drop. Check the mix and roots before choosing one cause.
Use a slightly acid, porous mix with open drainage holes. RHS lists peat-free loam-based compost with grit, while Wisconsin guidance emphasizes a porous container medium.
Repot in spring when roots emerge from the base, moving only a little larger. General citrus guidance ranges from a root-triggered change to about every one or two years.
Feed only during active growth
Fertilizer and active growth
Use a citrus fertilizer and follow the label for the chosen product. RHS separates a higher-nitrogen summer feed from a more balanced winter feed, while extension guidance also describes slow-release or dilute active-growth feeding.
Check the visible signs before changing care
Common problems
Low light or nutrient shortage can limit flowers, while winter excess water, dry air, or temperature shifts can contribute to yellowing or leaf drop.
Use the verdict for this exact plant
Pet safety
Sources
- Royal Horticultural SocietyPlant profile; Cultivation; Growing Conditions; Pests; Diseases
- Royal Horticultural SocietyPlant Care: Watering and humidity; Feeding; Repotting; Winter protection
- Iowa State University Extension and OutreachSpecies to Consider: Dwarf Lemon; Care: Light; Temperatures; Soils; Fertilizer; Potential Pests
- University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of ExtensionGrowing Citrus; Light and temperature; Potting medium; Watering; Fertilizing; Pests
Pet-safety information for catalog plants uses ASPCA reference data where available. It is reference information, not veterinary advice.