🪴HOW TO & TIPS
This week’s theme is a zesty one... because August 20th is National Lemonade Day. A time to celebrate that iconic, refreshing drink that’s quenched thirsts for centuries.
Here’s a little squeeze of history for you: lemonade first became popular in the mid-17th century. Paris was buzzing with lemonade vendors on every corner, serving up a mix of lemon juice, water, and sugar. Rome caught on too. The drink’s popularity grew so much that by the late 1600s, it had its own guild of licensed lemonade sellers. If a drink’s been going strong for over 350 years, you know it’s here to stay.
So in the spirit of the day, I thought: why not grow your own lemons? There’s nothing more satisfying than plucking a lemon from your own tree and turning it into a fresh glass of lemonade (or, let’s be honest, a lemon drizzle cake).
Here's how to grow a lemon tree from seed
If you’ve ever sliced a lemon and thought “These seeds look too perfect to waste,” you’re right.
- Choose fresh, organic lemons – Organic is best so you avoid seeds that may have been treated with chemicals.
- Extract and rinse – Remove seeds and rinse off any pulp. Some people soak them in water for an hour to kickstart germination.
- Plant straight away – Seeds dry out quickly, so pop them into a small pot filled with well-draining potting mix. Bury them about 1–2 cm deep.
- Keep them cosy – Lemon seeds need warmth to germinate. Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or cling film to lock in humidity, and place it somewhere bright but not in direct hot sun.
- Be patient – Germination can take 2–4 weeks. Once seedlings appear, remove the cover and keep the soil slightly moist.
How to grow a lemon tree from cuttings
If you’ve already got access to a healthy lemon tree (or a friend who does), cuttings are a shortcut to a more mature plant.
- Select your cutting – Choose a 15–20 cm healthy stem with a few leaves. Avoid stems with flowers or fruit.
- Prep the cutting – Trim the bottom just below a node and remove the lower leaves.
- Plant in a pot – Use a mix of perlite and potting soil for drainage. Insert the cutting about 5 cm deep.
- Create a mini greenhouse – Cover with a clear bag or propagator lid to keep humidity high.
- Wait and watch – Keep in bright, indirect light and water when the top of the soil starts to dry. Roots usually form within 6–8 weeks.
Giving young lemon trees the best start
- Sunlight: 6–8 hours a day is ideal. A sunny windowsill or patio is perfect.
- Watering: Keep soil evenly moist but never soggy. Citrus roots dislike sitting in water.
- Feeding: Once established, use a citrus-specific fertiliser during the growing season.
- Pruning: Remove any weak or crossing branches early to encourage strong structure.
If this has you dreaming of more homegrown produce, you’ll love my Growing Edible Plants course. It’s packed with videos on propagating fruits, veggies, and spices from home (because lemon trees are just the start). Click here to check it out.
