Growing Eureka Lemon Tree in a Pot or Container

After another Texas hard freeze, none of my citrus trees in the ground survived last winter. This spring, I looked for a Eureka lemon tree to plant in a pot and was surprised that the nurseries near me did not have it. Home Depot and Lowes in Houston only stocked Improved Meyer lemon variety. Due to citrus greening disease, I could not buy it from an out of state nursery either.

About Eureka Lemon Tree

I wanted a Eureka lemon tree for its classic sour taste. It produces multiple crops a year and its fruits hang on the tree for a long time. You can have lemons almost year-round from just one tree. Since it was hard to find, can you grow Eureka lemon trees from seeds? In general, lemon trees do not grow true to seeds. Besides, trees grown from seeds would take longer to fruit. Lemon trees are self-fertile. You only need to plant one tree to produce fruits.

How I Planted a Lemon Tree

In the spring, I planted a six-inch grafted Eureka lemon tree, bought from a Texas mail order nursery, in a seven-gallon fabric grow bag. All of my citrus trees like growing in these bags, maybe for their well-draining quality or aeration. It also does not hurt that the grow bags are economical and light weight. Instead of potting soil, I used just an inexpensive top soil from Home Depot and a spoonful of mycorrhizae, sprinkled on the roots. Trees like to grow in soil. I do not think the extra products or whatever mixed in potting soil are necessary. Before mulching with dries leaves, I top dressed it with rock dust and bone meal.

Lemon Tree Care

Every month, I would top dress it with coffee grounds, bone meal, and vegetable peels. Once every few months, I would catch a few earthworms from my garden and put them in the container. Be careful of too much fertilizers or coffee grounds. From my prior experience, too much nitrogen can lead to aphids infestation.

Eureka lemon tree after 45 days planted in container

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