topic Re: Meyer Lemon Tree in Garden

Meyer Lemon Tree

tototwo — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 22:12:46 GMT

This is for all the folks who got the Roberta's Meyer Lemon Tree.

My husband ordered one and we received it last summer. We planted it in a large pot and put it outside in the sun. Oh my! It took off like a rocket and we had a large green shrub and about 8 lemons in no time. The lemons stayed green and never have turned yellow.

We brought it into the house when the weather changed in the fall. My husband did all kinds of research online and we think we did everything right. He even bought grow lights. All the leaves fell off, but the green lemons remained. It's not dead, just looks like it.

Now, in early February, we still have green lemons, 6 of them. They have never turned yellow. We are getting some tiny new leaves (thank goodness). We will put it outside again when the weather warms up.

Anyone who has a Meyer Lemon Tree, did all the leaves fall off? Did your lemons ever turn yellow? Did you ever get to eat a lemon? Did the tree live?

Thank you.

Re: Meyer Lemon Tree

Kachina624 — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 22:25:12 GMT

@tototwo. Why don't you pick one and try it. Maybe they're not supposed to be yellow. They'll probably soon be petrified.

Re: Meyer Lemon Tree

drizzellla — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 23:23:35 GMT

I can only tell our story. MANY years ago during a trip to Florida, my young son, wanted to buy a lime "tree". It was about a 8 inch twig. But we bought it - typical tourist.

Planted in a nice planter and it grew. Every few years put it in a larger planter. It kept growing. Would take it outside for the summer and it would take off and grow. Brought it in for the winter (we live in Pennsylvania) and it lost many of its leaves. We would think it would die. Until the next summer and it would become a nice full bush when we would put it outside.

About 3 years ago we got 52 smallish limes. and made 3 lime pies for Thanksgiving.

It flowers every once in awhile but it will only produce limes when it flowers during the months that it is outside. Needs the bugs to do their job. But it does flower quite a bit while it is in the house.

The color of the limes are not the nice green that you would buy in the store. It is a light green with maybe a little yellow.

Re: Meyer Lemon Tree

jackthebear — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:24:11 GMT

@drizzellla wrote:
I can only tell our story. MANY years ago during a trip to Florida, my young son, wanted to buy a lime "tree". It was about a 8 inch twig. But we bought it - typical tourist.

Planted in a nice planter and it grew. Every few years put it in a larger planter. It kept growing. Would take it outside for the summer and it would take off and grow. Brought it in for the winter (we live in Pennsylvania) and it lost many of its leaves. We would think it would die. Until the next summer and it would become a nice full bush when we would put it outside.

About 3 years ago we got 52 smallish limes. and made 3 lime pies for Thanksgiving.

It flowers every once in awhile but it will only produce limes when it flowers during the months that it is outside. Needs the bugs to do their job. But it does flower quite a bit while it is in the house.

The color of the limes are not the nice green that you would buy in the store. It is a light green with maybe a little yellow.

those are probably Key Limes, they are small and yellow like that

Re: Meyer Lemon Tree

LizzieInSRQ — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 03:40:08 GMT

I agree with @jackthebear ...those are Key Limes...authentic for Key Lime Pie

Re: Meyer Lemon Tree

LizzieInSRQ — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 03:41:49 GMT

@tototwo call Roberta's and cc adk for advice or your local County Extension office if you have one.

Re: Meyer Lemon Tree

rockygems123 — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 03:56:07 GMT

@tototwo

Growing up we had a meyer lemon tree in our backyard in the SF Bay Area. They were yellow when ripe and very sweet for a lemon.

Not sure how winterizing works for that plant but keeping old fruit on it can't be productive. What does it say online for suggestions and information?

Re: Meyer Lemon Tree

drizzellla — Fri, 06 Feb 2026 04:59:42 GMT

@jackthebear wrote:
those are probably Key Limes, they are small and yellow like that

and @LizzieInSRQ

Wouldn't be surprised. No longer have the box "the twig" came in. To tell you the truth did not expect "the twig" to last past a month, much less 25+ years.

Re: Meyer Lemon Tree

tototwo — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 18:14:26 GMT

@Kachina624 -- did that against husband's wishes (after all, it's HIS tree). He says everything he's read says to not cut one off the tree until it turns yellow. They don't go bad and can stay on the tree for a long time. Well, I did cut one off, and we'll see if the world ends because of it. Haven't tasted it yet.

Re: Meyer Lemon Tree

tototwo — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 18:22:47 GMT

@LizzieInSRQ - I'm a master gardener and so I work at the county extension office. Nobody there knows anything about Meyer Lemons. They're hoping I'll have information to give them from my experience..

I called Roberta's once a few years ago about a different plant and they were no help at all. Think I'll put that off. But thanks for your help.

I'm surprised our tree is still alive! Can't wait to put it back outdoors when spring comes.

Re: Meyer Lemon Tree

tototwo — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 18:29:58 GMT

@drizzellla - Hey, fun facts about your lime tree. 52 limes?!? Wow. If ours lives as long as yours, I don't know what we'll do with it. But kind of hope it does. Our Meyer Lemon put on a lot of blooms when it was outdoors last summer - only one bloom since we brought it in. Like I said, ALL the leaves fell off. It's a bunch of green sticks with big lemons. Looks funny!

Everyone, thanks for your information. It's been a fun experience. I'll keep you informed.

Re: Meyer Lemon Tree

jackthebear — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 19:20:22 GMT

@LizzieInSRQ wrote:
I agree with @jackthebear ...those are Key Limes...authentic for Key Lime Pie

nothing like a really good Key Lim Pie

Re: Meyer Lemon Tree

drizzellla — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 20:14:40 GMT

@tototwo Yes, please keep us informed. We had no idea what we were doing. Followed the initial directions that came with "the twig". Mother Nature did the rest.

Just so you know. It is still like a bush not a tree. I think because we have it in a planter. So we can bring it inside for the winter. And the limes are small. Not grocery store size. More like ping pong ball size. BUT we grew them ourselves.

And I swear the pies tasted extra good. It was the only "home grown" item on the Thanksgiving menu. And glad we were able to make 3 pies. There were 14 people at the dinner.

Re: Meyer Lemon Tree

Kachina624 — Sun, 08 Feb 2026 01:26:23 GMT

@tototwo. Tell hubby that Roberta's is famous for selling exotic plants, like things that only grow in one square mile area of South Africa. They rake in $$$ and trusting buyers are so sad when their plants croak.

Re: Meyer Lemon Tree

tototwo — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:53:55 GMT

@Kachina624 Believe me, I always check the growing zone! It's a habit of mine, especially with mail order.

I noticed the other day that Roberta's was selling geraniums on QVC that, according to the online description, only grew in Zones 9-10. Huh? Geraniums will grow anywhere and everywhere - even in the Arctic if you plant them in August!

The "sellers" tell so many lies while they are presenting plants, I just stand and yell at the TV. "NO!" Seriously, folks, buy in local garden centers.

Re: Meyer Lemon Tree

buckie from virginia — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 17:56:48 GMT

might be a lime tree.I did grow a lemon tree from a seed.And yes i got a couple lemons from that tree.

Re: Meyer Lemon Tree

Hullaballoo — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 01:36:57 GMT

Meyer Lemon trees that do not experience any cold weather, fail to break down the chlorophyll in the peel. The break down of chlorophyll releases carotenoids which in turn, make the peel yellow. So they stay green even though they may be perfectly ripe! Also, if you try a green one, just remember that it may take 6 to 18 months for those lemons to actually mature inside and taste good. In the Spring, put it outside surrounded by flowerrs that attract LOTS of pollinators. Give it a good feeding in the Spring, but not in the Fall. The leaves falling off is most likely due to the decrease in sunlight it experiences, when you bring it inside. Good luck!