3 Types of Dwarf Lemon Trees

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Dwarf lemon trees may just be the best option for you if you want to get into gardening but feel limited by space.

A dwarf lemon tree is like a regular lemon tree. However, it is one that has been grafted on to a smaller root. This grafting process helps limit its growth in size.

With a dwarf tree, you get all the goodness of a regular tree in a compact space. For one, the fruits from a dwarf tree do not differ from what you will find in a regular one.

Dwarf trees typically reach 8-10 feet tall, compared to the standard trees, which grow up to 20 feet. Under particular conditions, some can reach up to 15-20 feet. This all depends on the type of rootstock it is grafted onto.

In this article, we discuss the different types of dwarf lemon trees. We will also take a look at what to expect when cultivating this plant.

Table of Contents

Types of Dwarf Lemon Trees

There are different varieties of dwarf lemons, and the reasons for being bred vary similarly. Some are particularly bred for ornamental purposes, while some are bred for their taste and size.

Dwarf Meyer Lemon

This is one of the most common varieties of lemon you will see. The dwarf Meyer lemon produces considerable amounts of fruits.

The trees of a Dwarf Meyer Lemon feature dark, shiny leaves. Besides the leaves, the trees have white flowers with a purple shade.

The flowers add appeal to their appearance. Dwarf Meyer lemon trees also emit a pleasant fragrance.

The Meyer lemon is not regarded as a true lemon because it results from a mix of lemon and sweet orange. This accounts for why the juice from its fruit is sweet.

The standard Meyer lemon tree, asides from being available in a dwarf variety, is naturally small, measuring somewhere between 6-10 feet in height. So you can easily grow one of these trees in a container even without using a dwarf rootstock.

The dwarf variety, on the other hand, grows to be 5-7 feet tall.

The fruit is larger than those of the other common trees. It has a dark-yellow, thin rind. The Meyer lemon also contains a lot of seeds.

The Meyer lemon tree has undergone some changes in history. The tree was found to hold a virus that could be deadly to other citrus species.

They were destroyed, and a new tree that didn’t have the virus was discovered. It was called the Improved Meyer lemon tree.

Dwarf Eureka Lemon

The Eureka lemon is a true lemon as there was no hybridization for its production.

This lemon tree variety typically grows up to 20 feet high. You also have the option of planting in a container or on a raised bed.

The Eureka lemon tree does not do well in extremes of temperature. Any temperature lower than 20℉ will damage your lemon tree, so you should consider taking the plant inside at such times.

Eurekas also favor high amounts of sunlight for proper growth. They require a lot of moisture, so you might have to create a consistent watering schedule.

The fruit of the dwarf Eureka lemon tree is commonly found in local grocery stores. They develop the common bright yellow color from a greenish-yellow one when they get ripe.

The fruits are usually available all year round. It also has a thick rind, so you can use its zest in your cooking.

Dwarf Lisbon Lemon

As the name suggests, this tree has a line that traces back to Portugal. The Lisbon lemon shares many features with the Eureka.

It produces fruits all year round, and when it does, the yield is quite significant. The fruits also have the same coloration as the Eureka.

However, Lisbon lemons are larger with a distinct nipple. While the juice is much similar to the Eureka, Lisbons are considerably juicier.

The standard Lisbon lemon tree typically grows 15 feet high, which may be smaller if you put them in a container. However, if you put them in the right conditions, you may see them grow up to 30 feet in height with a width of 25 feet. The dwarf variety grows as tall as 8-12 feet.

This lemon tree is the most tolerant of weather conditions. It can thrive in both the cold and heat.

Dwarf Lisbons are also aesthetically pleasing. Their leaves are green and glossy, and their white flowers give off a pleasant fragrance.

How Big Does a Dwarf Lemon Tree Get?

You can expect your Dwarf lemon trees to grow as high as 8-10 feet depending on the variety and environmental conditions.

Tree	Height
Dwarf Meyer Lemon	5-7 feet
Dwarf Eureka Lemon	15 feet planted or 4-6 feet potted
Dwarf Lisbon Lemon	8-12 feet

How Long Does It Take for a Dwarf Lemon Tree to Bear Fruit?

Generally, dwarf lemon trees will start giving you desirable lemons after 3-5 years.

Dwarf lemon trees tend to bear fruits earlier than the standard size trees. The most important factor for fruiting time is the rootstock. The higher the quality of the rootstock, the shorter the time it takes.

The time it takes also depends on the method through which the tree is cultivated. If cultivated through grafting, the tree becomes fruitful much earlier than if the seeds are used.

Can You Keep Dwarf Lemon Varieties in a Pot?

It is a common practice to grow dwarf lemon trees in containers. Many varieties flourish in pots much better than they would out in the open. Dwarf Meyers, for example, thrive in pots where they reach about 4 feet.

However, growing lemon trees in a pot can bring up some potential problems. One of these is sucker branches.

Sucker branches are branches that develop from the rootstock. You should prune these immediately you notice them.

You will also need to pay extra attention to the temperature and moisture levels if you are growing in a pot. Trees grown in a container are more susceptible to such conditions as drought and extreme cold.