Improved Dwarf Meyer Lemon Trees

Our Improved Dwarf Meyer Lemon (Citrus limon 'Meyer Improved') is a natural dwarf variety that produces exceptional fruit on a smaller plant. It is expertly grafted onto a dwarfing rootstock that has resistance to the Tristeza virus. Often called the "perfect" lemon tree, Meyer Lemon is the number one citrus grown worldwide. It can be grown all across the United States with ease.

Adapted to a wide range of growing conditions across the United States, the Improved Meyer Lemon tree is one of the most versatile of all citrus plants and fruits. The trees are equally remarkable as houseplants, ornamental patio plants or as a focal point planted in the ground in growing Zones 9-11.

Did you know that Meyer Lemons are not reliably available in grocery stores? Even though they win taste tests, they just don't ship well with their thin skin.

Fortunately, it's easy to grow your own Improved Dwarf Meyer Lemon Tree. If you live where winter temps dip below 35°F, simply plant it in a container and protect it from frost and bringing it indoors! You'll bring the trees indoors, and put in front of your sunniest window during the winter months.

You'll love the Citrus fragrance that perfumes your home in late fall and early spring. It's hard to believe how well those tiny white, fragrant flowers can freshen your home with the clean, crisp scent of fresh Citrus. What a fabulous plant!

Improved Dwarf Meyer Lemon trees are said to have a Mandarin Orange parent. That's why the fruit is yellow-orange in color, with a thinner, smooth rind - and the fruit is a medium-sized short elliptical shape. It's also why the ripe fruit is sweeter than a true lemon and has a hint of orange flavor. The Meyer is a winner for fresh eating and lemonade.

Meyer Lemons are rounder than traditional lemons and are slightly less acidic. They maintain their tart lemon quality while the skin is yellow. Once the skin turns light orange, it'll get even sweeter.

The flesh, juice and rind are all highly prized by chefs. The Meyer Lemon is included with most all recipes requiring lemons. Good with fish, great in marinades, with tea and to make a fresh lemon pie. Many prefer the Meyer over the traditional lemon.

You, your family and friends will love having access to these amazing, delicious lemons with their tremendous depth of flavor. Order your citrus trees today!

How to Use Improved Dwarf Meyer Lemon Trees

Growers in Zones 9 -11 can plant the trees in the ground. Used as a shrubby plant, you'll gain a wonderfully productive privacy screen or barrier. Block out unwanted views or plant several together as a hedge in a strategic location that hinders people from getting by.

Grown in the ground with lowest branches pruned up and back to a single trunk, the Meyer Lemon makes a great evergreen accent tree in the landscape. Site these trees to block out the hot afternoon sun. Plant some by your patio for easy access to its wonderful fruit. Or use it against a fence to easily add a few feet of height. It won't take up too much yard space, and you'll gain so much more.

You'll love the compact, upright growth habit. Glossy, dark green evergreen leaves give a tropical flair to your landscape. The dainty white flowers will charm you with their delicate purple base, while their intense citrus fragrance will fill your home or yard with their captivating scent.

You can also plant your Dwarf Improved Meyer Lemon in a container and enjoy the fruit and the ornamental quality on the patio or as a container specimen in the landscape. The Meyer is one of the more dependably productive container fruit trees you can grow. For indoor/outdoor growers, the Meyer Lemon is the one to get started with.

The consideration to purchase an older and larger plant should not be based on cost alone. You are paying for the extra time and attention of our expert growers in a professional nursery facility. The reward is that older plants produce lemons faster for you.

Go for the largest plant you can afford. With older plants, you'll save time and get to harvest sooner!

We take pride in delivering you the highest quality Citrus trees with healthy roots and full, well-established stems and foliage. Have confidence in our time-tested quality and order yours today!

#ProPlantTips for Care

Pruning Tips

These trees can be easily pruned to accommodate different landscape settings, as well. They can be kept to less than four feet tall, and remain very productive.

For best fruiting, prune out any crossing branches, and non-fruiting branches that grow straight upwards. You can also prune off the lower side limbs to keep a single-trunked tree from. Remove branches that grow towards the center of the plant. You'll want to encourage enough air circulation in the middle of your tree.

Container Soil Mix

Citrus likes a lower pH soil around 6.0 to 6.5, so plant using an acid planting mix. Add Pathway bark at the rate of 25% of the total volume of your container. Adding acidic bark will support soil structure for the entire time your plant will be in the pot.

If you'll be growing it in a decorative container, please make sure the pot has plenty of drainage holes. You may want to drill additional holes in your pot, as Improved Dwarf Meyer Lemons will not tolerate sitting in standing water.

Protecting Citrus

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 border-line 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.

Care for Indoor Plants

While these trees are self-pollinating, you'll enjoy growing several varieties of citrus trees. Create your very own citrus grove with help from Nature Hills.

Container citrus should be Fertilized quarterly using an acid-based fertilizer like Dr. Earth Acid Lovers Organic and Natural Premium Fertilizer.

For indoor winter care, be sure to transition your tree indoors and then back outside again. Watch our video on how to successfully bring citrus indoors for the winter.

Tips for Placement Indoors

For Indoor/Outdoor growing, create the most favorable conditions indoors to assist in fruit ripening and flowering. A bright, full sun-filled location is important, as is a location away from heat sources. Finally, be careful about overwatering when indoors. These conditions will help to ensure a healthy fruitful plant.

1. Give your plant a sunny spot that receives at least 8 hours of sunshine a day.

2. Keep your plant away from heating vents. The right temperature is between 50-80°F outside and on the cooler side indoors.

3. Use a humidifier if your indoor air is dry.

4. Citrus trees prefer good air circulation.

5. Don't overwater them. Keep it on the dry side indoors, and allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Check it every week and use the "Finger Test" to see if the soil is moist below the surface. Simply push your index finger into the soil. If it's moist, skip watering that week. If it's getting dry, give it a good watering. Mop up any water that remains in the saucer. Don't keep your citrus trees in standing water, the root systems will not tolerate that!

Tips for the Best Fruit Set

The fruit set is very dependent on the climate indoors. You'll want to find a good spot indoors - greenhouses or sunrooms are very good. Bright sunlight, moderate temperatures, humidity, and proper watering play a big role in a successful crop.

The flowers are "perfect" and have both male and female parts. Pollination can occur indoors without your assistance, but you might want to give your indoor trees a helping hand. When in bloom, lightly shake the blooming branches. This will replicate the movement of outdoor breezes, so use a very gentle touch.

After the blooms pass, clusters of lemons will appear and begin to ripen. Heavy, dependable fruit production year after year is one of the biggest reasons for this tree's popularity.

Enjoying a bumper crop? The first season, thin off excessive fruit set, which can interfere with the tree's vegetative growth. Just leave a few fruits to enjoy and look forward to the larger crops in the future.

You'll know when your lemons are ripe when the rind is bright yellow, but you can enjoy them until they ripen to a light orange. If picked at this time, your Meyer lemonade will require no additional sugar. Enjoy!

Home gardeners across the country love growing Improved Dwarf Meyer Lemons from Nature Hills. This is one of our most popular plants for sale, so order yours today!