The lemon has also been known in southern and central Europe since the days of the ancient Roman emperors. The exact origin of the lemon tree is, however, in the dark, but Central Asia is assumed to be the homeland. Even today, the lemon thrives in subtropical and tropical climate zones, because the lemon tree does not tolerate frost.

Lemon tree is not hardy

The classic lemon varieties (Citrus limon) are neither hardy nor frost hardy and should therefore only overwinter in the conservatory, in the greenhouse or in a suitable room. However, there are more or less sensitive varieties. The Meyer lemon is probably the most widespread lemon as a container plant. Citrus limon "Meyer" is much less sensitive to climate than any other lemon. Temperatures down to about minus 5 °C are not a problem when they are in hibernation.

Description of the frost hardy Meyer lemon

The growth of the Meyer lemon is bushier than that of other lemons. The flowers often appear in abundance. The plant is not as prone to leaf loss in winter. When fully ripe, the orange-colored, relatively round fruits with a very thin, soft skin taste tart than you would expect from lemons. But even the rather undemanding Meyer lemon should not be planted out in the garden, but overwintered as coolly as possible.

Optimum temperatures for wintering lemons

At best, lemon trees are wintered in a location that is as light and dry as possible with average temperatures between about five to ten °C. In this case, the plants are dormant and require significantly less light and water than in the growing season. Due to the lack of light in winter, lemons should be put into hibernation if possible, otherwise additional light-emitting plant lamps should be installed. The vegetation phase begins when the temperature is permanently above 15 °C.

Frost hard bitter lemon

In contrast to the "normal" lemon varieties, the bitter lemon Citrus trifoliata (also Poncirus trifoliata) is frost hardy down to temperatures of down to minus 25 °C. Due to the typical three-part leaf, the bush, which can be up to three meters high and heavily thorny, is also known as "three-leaf orange". The bitter lemon is the only type of citrus that sheds its leaves in autumn. The relatively large, paper-like flowers are not fragrant. The fruits of the bitter lemon are inedible due to the high proportion of bitter substances. The plant is suitable both as a pretty ornamental shrub in the garden and, because of its robustness, is also the best grafting base for potted lemon and other citrus plants.

tips and tricks

Citranges (crossbreeds between oranges and bitter lemons) were also bred as robust, virus-resistant grafting stock. These varieties are also often frost hardy and are well suited as an ornamental shrub in the garden, unless you absolutely want to harvest tasty lemons.

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Vegetable garden