Meyer Lemon Tree

Meyer Lemon trees are more popular than the common Eureka lemon due to their tart, slightly sweet, and very juicy flesh. The skin of the Meyer lemon is thinner and has a slightly orange hue.

Tree Characteristics

Officially known as the Improved Meyer Lemon tree, this hardy evergreen produces a bountiful harvest. It features dark green, glossy leaves, relatively few thorns, and small white flowers. This tree is highly valued for home gardens due to its aesthetic appeal and impressive fruit yield — even when young.

Unique Qualities of Meyer Lemons

Meyer lemons are smoother and rounder than traditional lemons, with fewer seeds and orange-tinted flesh. While still tart, they are slightly sweeter than Eureka lemons. The fragrance is a complex blend of sweet, spicy, floral notes, and a hint of bergamot.

General Care Instructions

• Sunlight: Plant the Meyer Lemon tree in full sun, but take care if planting against a south-facing block wall or reflective surface, as this can stress the tree during heat waves.
• Spacing: Plant trees 10-15 feet apart. Provide more space for larger growth or plant closer for smaller trees. While the tree can grow over 20 feet tall, many people prune them to keep them at a manageable height of 9-15 feet.

Tree Forms and Growing Habits

• Tree Forms: Meyer Lemon trees are available in Standard and Semi-Dwarf forms. The Semi-Dwarf and Standard trees have a single trunk and branch out to form a canopy.
• Dwarf Meyer Lemon Trees: Dwarf trees are topped to grow as a bush, making them ideal for pots and containers. They are prolific at a young age and can produce fruit nearly year-round.

Origin and History

The Meyer lemon tree is a hybrid native to China. It was introduced to the U.S. in 1908 by Frank N. Meyer, a USDA employee who traveled the world seeking new plants for introduction to the U.S.

Meyer lemons gained widespread popularity thanks to Bay Area chef Alice Waters in the 1980s. Their popularity exploded in the 2000s after Martha Stewart introduced them to a wider audience, making them a common ingredient in recipes and a staple at farmers' markets.