Lemon trees are considered an asset to have in the garden and even the house. But home gardeners prefer popular types of dwarf lemon trees.
Dwarf lemon trees are no more than 6-10 feet/2-3 meters. Popular dwarf-type lemon trees are Meyer lemons, Eureka lemons, Lisbon lemons, Ponderosa lemons, and the Variegated Pink lemon.
All produce uniquely tasting lemons while bearing a small size and very little upkeep.
Without any delay let’s look at these popular dwarf lemon tree types.
#1 – Dwarf Meyer Lemon Tree
The Meyer lemon is always an interesting pick for citrus lovers. Believed to be a cross between a lemon and orange, Meyer lemons are slightly sweeter than your conventional lemon! The best part is these punchy lemons on a dwarf lemon tree.
Dwarf Meyer lemon trees are naturally small and grow to a height of 6.5 feet (2 meters) regardless of any special grafting methods. Thus, the Meyer lemon clearly stands out as the best lemon tree to grow in pots.
If the height bothers you too much, you don’t have to keep it indoors. Instead, you can station it on the porch where it will receive all the sunlight it needs!
Is your Meyer lemon tree looking bare without its flowers? Meyer lemon trees: get yours to bloom.
#2 – Dwarf Eureka Lemon Tree
In case you are looking for a true lemon that still has its trademark taste, the Eureka lemon is the one to get. Besides its lemony taste, this tree boasts of having fewer thorns and an abundance of fruits through spring and summer.
The best part is that they can be made to reach a height of 8 to 10 feet (2-3 meters). This makes it easily a ground planted or pot-planted lemon tree option.
Eureka lemons are juicier and a great aid in the kitchen whether it’s sweet or savory. You’ll be even happier to know that these fruits have fewer seeds. They can be used straight away, just another reason why having one would be so beneficial.
Also read: Best Fertilizer for Lemon Tree | Homemade Fertilizer
#3 – Dwarf Lisbon Lemon Tree
Lisbon lemon trees only made their way to the USA in the 1950s. But, they have been popular in California ever since.
If you have ever bought lemons from the grocery store, chances are that they were Lisbon lemons. This variety is adored for its juicy pulp and bright yellow rind that also finds use in the culinary industry.
#4 – Ponderosa Lemon Tree
The Ponderosa lemon tree does make an attractive dwarf lemon tree. Combining the flavors of a Citron and a Pomelo, these lemons can be used as a substitute for true lemons.
A dwarf Ponderosa lemon tree is derived by grafting this tree’s scion onto a dwarf lemon tree rootstock. This modification was derived because of the Ponderosa’s intolerance towards cold temperatures.
Another interesting fact about Ponderosa lemon trees is they produce flowers and lemons at the same time.
Furthermore, the lemons keep well when left on the tree. They can even last a few months before they deteriorate or spoil!
#5 – Variegated Pink Lemon
The variegated Pink lemon is definitely an eye-catching lemon tree prized for its appearance and taste to some extent! The outer rind of these lemons is deep yellow with dark green stripes that appear in no distinct pattern.
But, that’s not the most striking characteristic of the pink lemon. The pulp of these fruits is ‘pink’!
Something even odder is that this lemon is less sour and tangier and very likely to be eaten as is.
Variegated pink lemons are a citrus tree you should have on your bucket list. Apart from their appealing looks (inside and out), the tree is hardy and generally a low-maintenance one.
Why Choose a Dwarf Lemon Tree?
If you have ample garden space the choice between a regular lemon tree and a dwarf one seems obvious!
But, that’s not the case at all. Just because you have space to fill doesn’t mean that you must plant a regular-sized lemon tree. There are many benefits dwarf lemon tree types give that regular trees cannot.
Advantages of a dwarf lemon tree are:
- Easier to manage as opposed to large lemon trees.
- You can move them indoors to protect against cold and frost (very important to areas prone to freezing).
- Dwarf lemon trees can be planted in pots and moved to make various areas in the house or garden more scenic.
- Some dwarf lemon tree types also come with modifications such as different tastes and limited or no thorns at all!
How Big Does a Dwarf Lemon Tree Get?
Lemon trees usually come in regular, semi-dwarf, and dwarf sizes. Dwarf lemon tree variants can show some deviation in terms of actual height.
Expect a dwarf lemon tree size to be between 6 feet and 10 feet (1.8 to 3 meters) in height.
Lemon trees taller than this cannot be termed as ‘dwarf’ since the whole purpose of these trees is their small size. They meant to be small enough to grow in pots indoors if necessary.
Among all these dwarf lemon variants, Meyer lemons are the best example and smallest of the lot.
Is A Dwarf Lemon Tree Right for You?
Before you decide to get a dwarf lemon tree, there are a few things to think about.
Nurseries have various types of dwarf lemon trees and it is just a matter of picking one out.
But, with the sheer number of genetically modified lemon trees, you might want to ask yourself a few more questions about what you expect and what is the reality.
Questions to help decide which dwarf lemon tree to plant.
- What size lemon tree are you looking for? Even in dwarf trees there are size variations.
- What do you expect the lemon to taste like? Meyer lemons are less sour than other lemons.
- When do you want the tree flower/produce lemons? Ponderosa lemons flower and produce fruits simultaneously.
- Do you want a cold and heat tolerant lemon tree? The Lisbon dwarf lemon tree is highly tolerant of both temperature extremities. However it comes at the cost of lower fruit production.
Answer these questions and you’ll know which one is for you!
Do lemon trees need sun? Check out
Conclusion
Picking up any one of these types of dwarf lemon trees could be great if you don’t have tons of space in the garden. If you don’t have a garden at all, dwarf lemon trees are what you should buy.
Popular types of dwarf lemon trees are:
- Meyer Lemons
- Eureka Lemons
- Lisbon Lemons
- Ponderosa Lemons
- Variegated Pink Lemons
Typically, all types of lemon trees have a height between 6 and 10 feet. If you want them to be indoors, that’s possible through pots.
But, remember they still have all the requirements that a regular lemon tree has when planted outdoors.
FAQs
The best lemon tree award usually goes to the Meyer lemon tree for its short manageable size, year-round fruiting, and unique lemon taste. However, if you like true lemons, the ‘Eureka’ lemon is usually a better choice.
Yes, dwarf lemon trees are good and can produce lemons as well as a regular tree if that’s what you are worried about. The benefits of dwarf trees are their size and with that, easier maintenance and fewer space requirements.
