Growing lemon

citrus

A lemon tree with fruit
Photo: Gilley Aguilar on Unsplash
HARDINESS ZONES
9-11
WINTER CHILL NEEDED
None
POLLINATION
Self-fertile — one plant crops on its own

Pollination

Self-fertile.

Growing it

Zones 9-11 in the ground; a top choice for a large pot brought in for winter elsewhere. Nearly everbearing. 'Improved Meyer' is the hardiest and most forgiving.

Where lemon grows best

Hardy in zones 9-11. Combining the two:

12345678910111213
Grows well Outside its hardiness range
USDA zones 1-13. Chill hours by zone are rough estimates - coastal and high-elevation gardens can differ a lot.

Good fit across most of: Florida, Hawaii. Also parts of Alabama, Arizona, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington.

Questions gardeners ask

What zone does lemon grow in?

Lemon grows in USDA hardiness zones 9-11.

How many chill hours does lemon need?

Lemon has no winter chill requirement. Cold hardiness and summer heat matter more for where it grows.

Is lemon self-pollinating?

Self-fertile — one plant crops on its own. Self-fertile.

Which states can grow lemon?

Lemon suits most of Florida, Hawaii, and parts of 13 other states where the right zones occur. Your own zone and chill hours matter more than the state.

Chill and pollination are given at the fruit-type level; specific cultivars can differ. Values are typical ranges for home-garden planning.

More citrus

LimeOrange (Sweet)Mandarin / TangerineGrapefruitKumquatAll fruit & nutsPollination checker