History

• The Meyer lemon plant was brought from China to the United States in the early 20th century by a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) worker named Frank Meyer. The plant was found growing near Beijing in 1908 and is believed to be a hybrid. The original Meyer lemon carried the tristeza and tatter leaf viruses and killed other trees in the citrus family.
  
  

Significance

• The original Meyer lemon trees were destroyed because of viruses and were then replaced with a virus-free variety. This new variety is referred to as improved Meyer lemon. In 1975, the University of California introduced virus-free Meyer lemon plants to the citrus industry. The California Department of Food and Agriculture ruled in 1976 that propagation of non-improved trees was to be stopped.
  
  

Description

• The fruit of the Meyer lemon plant is large, round, bright yellow and grows to 3 inches in diameter. The skin is thin and smooth without the rough texture and pronounced nipple found on the true lemon. The Meyer lemon tree is small and compact, usually growing 6 to 10 feet in height and 4 to 8 feet in width. The evergreen leaves are shiny and dark. Flowers are white, waxy, fragrant and appear year round in warm climates.
  
  

Uses

• The Meyer lemon plant is often used as an ornamental plant around the home, on the patio and may also be grown as a house plant. Additionally, it is ideal to use for fruit production and is grown on a small scale in California. Not much commercial growing is done because the lemons are thin-skinned and do not ship well.
  
  

Features

• Meyer lemon plants grow best in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11. The soil should be sandy and well-drained. Full sun is best, but the tree can do well in light shade. Watering should be regular and consistent. Grown outside, the Meyer lemon will bear fruit all year in warm temperatures but may slip into dormancy if temperatures drop well below 55 degrees F. Indoor plants will usually bear fruit in the spring.
  
  

Considerations

• While the Meyer lemon plant is not known for serious diseases or insect problems, it does have some potential insect pests. These include aphids, cutworms, thrips, white flies and mealy bugs. The plant may also be susceptible to anthracnose, sooty mold and canker. Mites are also a possibility.