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New Zealand Lemon Tree

Citrus limon x reticulata 'New Zealand Lemonade'

Regular price $14953
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Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150 - $198.99 $24.99
$199+ FREE

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Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Evergreen, Flowering, Self-pollinating, Edible, Fragrant, Heat Tolerant, and Container Friendly

Specifications

  • Botanical Name
    Citrus limon x reticulata 'New Zealand Lemonade'
  • Height
    8-12 ft
  • Width
    5-10 ft
  • Growing Zones
    4-10
  • Sunlight
    • Full sun
  • Growth Rate
    Moderate
  • Flower Color
    • White
  • Leaf Color
    • Green
  • Fall Color
    Evergreen
  • Pollinator Friendly
    Yes
  • Pollinator Required
    No
  • Bloom Period
    Early Spring, Late Spring
  • Fragrant
    Yes

Planting & Care Instructions

Where to Plant

  • Sunlight: Plant your New Zealand Lemon tree in a spot that gets a minimum of six to eight hours of direct, full sun daily. Less than six hours is acceptable but will result in slower growth and lower fruit production.
  • Soil: This tree needs fertile, well-draining soil. If you have heavy clay, plant it in a raised mound to improve drainage and amend the soil heavily with compost and gypsum; sandy soil benefits from added organic matter to help retain nutrients.

Watering Requirements

Watering is crucial during the establishment period; deep-water your young tree two to three times per week in the first year, focusing on the root zone, not the trunk. Once established, New Zealand Lemons are reasonably drought tolerant but perform best with deep, consistent watering once or twice a week, especially during flowering and fruiting; inconsistent moisture will stress the tree, leading to smaller fruit or premature fruit drop.

Pruning Tips

Pruning is done for shaping and air circulation, and it should be performed after the main harvest in late winter or early spring. Unlike some plants, citrus blooms on new growth, so you are not risking future flowers with this timing. Simply remove inward-facing branches and any suckers from below the graft line; this lets light and air into the canopy, which is key for health and fruit quality.

Fertilizer Needs

New Zealand Lemon trees are heavy feeders, so apply a slow-release granular citrus-specific fertilizer that is high in potassium and magnesium three times a year: in early spring, early summer, and late summer. What to avoid: Do not apply high-nitrogen lawn fertilizer too close to the trunk, as excessive nitrogen late in the season can encourage leafy growth instead of flower and fruit production.

It's funny how some things happen. Take the New Zealand Lemon Tree (Citrus limon x reticulata 'New Zealand Lemonade') for instance - you'd be hard-pressed to find a backyard in New Zealand without one of these easy-to-grow, easy-to-care-for trees. But try to buy one in your local nursery and they'll look at you and reckon you're suss. (Kiwi translation - "Think you're suspicious.")

We have searched far and wide to be able to offer you these great little Citrus trees. It wasn't easy, but we now have a supplier and are ready to unleash this awesome Kiwi goodness to the states.

Why did we go to all the trouble? One taste and you'll understand. As a matter of fact, you'll probably curse New Zealand for keeping this a secret for so long!

Planting and Application:

In its native land, they simply call this tree 'lemonade'. The juice is so sweet that all you have to do is squeeze it into a glass and add ice. No sugar needed!

Beyond its infinite uses in the kitchen, New Zealand Lemon trees are gorgeous ornamentals! Mid-sized and able to be maintained smaller yet, you'll love this glossy evergreen tree in your landscape! Fragrant white blossoms tempt every pollinator around to drop by for a visit!

  • Heavy-bearing fruit tree
  • Fruit tastes like lemonade - delicious fresh or juiced
  • New on the market, so it's sure to sell out!
  • Ornamental tree with white blooms & evergreen foliage
  • Cooking, marmalade, beverages & desserts

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Plant these easy-care trees in full sun and provide moderate moisture and you'll receive a bounty in return! Minimal maintenance and fuss, any sunny site, indoors or out, in the ground or container, will suit your New Zealand Lemon just fine! These tolerate partial shade, but you'll have a smaller crop.

Protecting Container Citrus From Cold

Although it's famous for growing in warmer regions, it can also thrive in colder areas as long as the tree is brought indoors prior to the first frost of winter.

If you're growing these tropical trees in the ground in the lowest of their favored growing zones, they need to be planted in a sheltered spot to avoid the worst of the chill. If a spot like that is unavailable, then you are better off planting in a large, deep container.

In borderline growing zones, begin slowly acclimating your tree indoors or into a protected location, eventually moving your tree inside in bright indirect sun for the winter if the temperatures in your area ever dip below that 40°F range. In spring, reverse this process and begin acclimating your tree to again be back out in the full sun all summer. This reduces stress and leaf drop.

  • Easy to grow
  • Let dry out between waterings & provide full sun
  • Check out our YouTube channel for Citrus Pruning - best done in late winter!
  • Set up a consistent Fertilizing schedule
  • Slightly acidic, very well-drained, enriched soil for best results

If you live where the New Zealand Lemon Tree thrives, you shouldn't wait any longer to buy this. We will probably sell out fast once word starts getting around. And you might want to buy a large dog or a feisty kangaroo to protect your tree, because your neighbors will be tempted to "share" your bounty. Trust us, this is fair dinkum (the real deal)!

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