At home, our indoor plants are not just decorative, they are for the most part depolluting and thus purify the air we breathe. According to the Chinese philosophy Feng Shui, certain plants even bring positive energy and drive away all negative waves. Also, our plants are very symbolic and they represent us: we carefully select the shape, color, texture and scent they give off. In some cases, certain plants are even cultivated to ultimately end up on our plates.
Take the case, for example, of lemon. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, this exceptional citrus fruit has countless health benefits. But not only. With its disinfecting, whitening and deodorizing properties, it is a perfect home cleaner.
Want to perfume your interior with a delicate tangy freshness? In this article we will show you how to germinate lemon seeds at home. Thanks to this tip, your living spaces will be perfumed with a wonderful scent of fruity aroma.
How to get lemon seeds?
For this first task, you have two options: you can recycle the seeds of an already consumed lemon, giving them a second life, or buy them directly from a specialized store.
Regardless of how you get your seeds, you’ll need a pot to grow them in and soil to fill your container of choice. If it is the first option: it will be more practical to rinse the seeds, in order to remove the small skin that covers them. Prefer bottled water rather than tap water, especially if it is too hard.
How to germinate lemon seeds?
Once your seeds are ready to plant, you have the choice of two planting methods:
The first is to place them directly in the pot with soil and put them about 3 cm deep from the surface. This method is easier because you won’t have to transplant when the seed has already germinated.
The second method involves placing a thin layer of moistened cotton in a small cup on top of the seeds and another on top of them. This helps speed up the germination process. If you choose this method, you can have a more controlled humidity and temperature, ideally between 20 and 25°C. Caution: cotton must always remain damp. If it is dry, nothing will grow: so remember to moisten it regularly using a spray bottle. Normally, it takes 5 to 8 days for the seeds to germinate. Remove the 2nd layer of cotton and bring the seeds to the pot with soil.
As we have already mentioned, thanks to its characteristics, lemon is excellent for health, but it is also ideal for cleaning and for perfuming the home. However, you will need to be patient while the seeds germinate, depending on the method used. Their growth development will vary depending on the living conditions you give them, the humidity in the soil and the temperature where you plant them.
How do I take good care of my lemon tree?
Lemon, like all citrus fruits, requires special but very simple maintenance. If you want to have it in your home, we explain how to properly maintain it to keep it in optimal conditions:
- Fertilization
Fertilizer is another important element when caring for your lemon tree. If you move it to a larger pot, you can put compost or worm castings at the bottom of it, before transplanting it. You can do this once a year or every 6 months.
- Floor
The land where you have your lemon tree must be permeable and ventilated. The lemon tree needs a large amount of water but it needs soil that can absorb it in the best possible way.
- Temperature
The lemon tree is very sensitive to cold. This is why it must be taken care of at room temperature. Lemon feels most comfortable in Mediterranean climates where temperatures generally range between 15 and 25 degrees.
- Humidity
Humidity is another important factor to take into account: you must check your lemon tree regularly, because it needs a large quantity of water. If you get good soil with aeration and fluidity, you will be able to interpret your plant more easily. It is important to water slowly to allow it to absorb water, without flooding or puddling, so the soil will always stay moist.
NB : in a pot, the lemon tree dries out much more quickly than in the vegetable garden. Well-dosed watering is therefore essential. How to detect a lack of water? You will notice if the lemon starts to split.
Growing a lemon tree in a pot at home is an excellent idea to benefit from citrus fruits. Remember to prune it when it grows in size in order to keep its pretty compact shape. During the growth period, every 15 days, it would be wise to add a special citrus fertilizer to promote better fruiting. Finally, pay close attention to parasites such as aphids or mealybugs that attack the pot. The lemon tree risks having a whitish cluster visible on its foliage and the lemons can rot before their time.
