Don't let growing food you love be complicated! Growing food is SIMPLE and the BEST way to learn is EXPERIENCE; Trial and Error are the best teachers in life.

Here I share my experience on how to grow lemon trees using lemons you normally would buy from the grocery store or farmers market anyway! Why buy seeds when you can get them free when you buy the lemon, or any other fruit or vegetable? Next time you cut open a lemon, make sure you put those seeds to the side, and save them to grow! Better yet go ahead and throw them in a damp paper towel, and then in a ziplock bag so you get the process started right then and there!


Growing lemon trees from lemons purchased at the grocery store can be a fun and rewarding project. While it's not always guaranteed that the seeds will produce viable trees that bear fruit, here are the general steps you can follow:

Choose a Lemon: Select a healthy, ripe lemon from the grocery store. Organic lemons are preferable since they are less likely to have been treated with growth inhibitors.
Extract the Seeds: Cut open the lemon and extract the seeds. Rinse them under running water to remove any pulp or residue. Keep in mind that the seeds may be dormant or have a low germination rate, so it's a good idea to gather multiple seeds.

Prepare the Seeds: (Optional) Fill a container with warm water and place the seeds in it. Soak them for around 24 hours. This process can help soften the seed coat and promote germination. Grab a wet paper towel thats not soaking wet, but damp. Place your seeds in the damp paper towel. Then fold the towel over the seeds, and place in a ziplock bag. Store in a dark place such as a kitchen cabinet for 1-2 weeks.

Plant the Seeds: Fill small pots or seed trays with a well-draining potting mix. Moisten the soil, but avoid making it overly wet. Plant the lemon seeds about half an inch deep into the soil. You can place multiple seeds in each pot, but make sure to provide sufficient space for the growing seedlings.

Provide Ideal Conditions: Lemon seeds require warmth and humidity to germinate. Cover the pots or trays with clear plastic wrap or place them inside a plastic bag to create a greenhouse-like environment. Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging.
Choose a Growing Location: Once the seeds have germinated and grown into seedlings, they will require plenty of sunlight. Choose a sunny spot, preferably near a south-facing window, or use artificial grow lights to provide adequate light.

Transplanting: As the seedlings grow and develop a few sets of leaves, they will need to be transplanted into larger pots or containers. Select containers with drainage holes to prevent water logging. Use a well-draining potting mix suitable for citrus plants.
Care and Maintenance: Water the lemon trees regularly, ensuring the soil remains moist but not overly saturated. Fertilize the plants every few weeks using a balanced citrus fertilizer according to the package instructions. Prune the trees as needed to encourage proper shape and remove any damaged or diseased branches.

Gradual Acclimatization: When the lemon trees are mature enough and the outdoor conditions are suitable, gradually acclimate them to outdoor conditions. Start by placing the plants outdoors in a sheltered location for a few hours each day, gradually increasing the time over a couple of weeks. This process will help the trees adjust to the outdoor environment.

Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labor: With proper care, patience, and favorable conditions, your lemon trees may eventually bear fruit. However, keep in mind that lemon trees grown from seeds can take several years to produce fruit, and the fruit may not necessarily resemble the lemon you used for seeding due to cross-pollination. Nevertheless, the experience of growing your own lemon tree can be quite rewarding.

Be sure to comment below your experience on trying this method. Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE and like this video if it was helpful for you.

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