Propagating the Meyer Lemon - Ask Extension
Hello - I purchased a Meyer Lemon tree from a nursery and am treating it like a houseplant here in Michigan. I put it out in summer and bring it in be...
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Propagating the Meyer Lemon #679292
Asked January 24, 2021, 10:30 AM EST
Hello - I purchased a Meyer Lemon tree from a nursery and am treating it like a houseplant here in Michigan. I put it out in summer and bring it in before first frost to stay indoors in winter. It has done well and has produced several lovely meyer lemons. My question is this, if I plant the seeds from the fruit my tree has set, will they produce Meyer Lemon trees or are Meyer Lemons a hybrid that might split back into whatever comprised the making of the Meyer Lemon? I hope they'll be Meyer Lemons, but wanted to check. It takes several years for them to fruit, so it would be super helpful to know in advance. Many Thanks - Susan in Milan, MI
Washtenaw County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello Susan,
Meyer lemon is a hybrid. It is supposed to be easily propagated by cuttings which will stay true to the parent. Seeds will grow, but not be true to the parent, and can take about 10 years to fruit. Here are articles to help you-
https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/lemon.html
https://extension.umn.edu/house-plants/growing-citrus-indoors
https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/lemon.html
Information on propagation by stem cuttings-
https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/yardandgarden/extpub/new-plants-from-cuttings-text-only/
