Lemon tree in a pot: which pot to choose and how to overwinter

A lemon tree in a pot needs a pot of at least 35 to 40 cm in diameter, with a drainage hole and a porous wall such as terracotta or earthenware, so the roots never sit in water. Keep it outside from mid May to October, then bring it indoors to a bright, cool spot for the winter.

A lemon tree is a lovely plant for a terrace, balcony or entrance, but it is demanding about its pot. The tree is not hardy, it drinks a lot in summer and it hates wet feet. The right pot prevents most problems before they start. Below you will find which size fits, which material works and how to get through the year.

Which pot size should you choose for a lemon tree?

A young lemon tree of 50 to 80 cm tall sits comfortably in a pot of 30 to 35 cm in diameter. As the tree grows, you move it to the next size. Do not jump straight to a huge pot: too much soil around a small root ball holds moisture for a long time and leads to root rot. Add 5 to 10 cm in diameter per step. More on the logic behind sizes in which size flower pot you need.

As a guideline:

• tree up to 80 cm tall: pot of 30 to 35 cm in diameter;
• tree of 80 to 120 cm: pot of 40 to 45 cm in diameter;
• tree above 120 cm: pot of 50 cm or more, and mind the weight.

Always measure the inner diameter of the pot, not the outer size. A mosaic pot has a thicker wall than a plain nursery pot, so the inner space is a little smaller than it looks.

Does a lemon tree suit a terracotta or earthenware pot?

Yes, and it is often a good choice. Terracotta and earthenware are porous: they breathe and moisture evaporates faster. That suits a lemon tree, which wants damp but never soggy soil. Plastic holds moisture for longer, so it is easier to overwater. The downside of a porous pot is that you water more often in summer, sometimes daily in hot weather.

A drainage hole is not negotiable. Without one, excess water collects at the bottom. If you want a decorative pot without a hole, use an inner pot with holes. See flower pot with or without a hole for what works best for your plant.

What soil and how much water does a lemon tree need?

Use a free-draining potting mix, ideally a citrus mix, perhaps with a little perlite or coarse sand added. Water as soon as the top two to three centimetres feel dry. Check with your finger. Citrus does not like hard, chalky water, so rainwater is better than tap water if you have it.

During the growing season, from spring to late summer, feed with a citrus fertiliser every few weeks. In winter you do not feed and you water much less. One thing stays the same: the water must always be able to drain away through the bottom.

When can a lemon tree go outside, and when must it come in?

A lemon tree is not hardy. Only put it outside once the risk of night frost has passed, in practice from mid May. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot, for instance along a warm wall. Bring it back in before night temperatures drop towards 5 °C, usually during October. Keep an eye on the KNMI weather forecast.

Think about the pot too. Not all terracotta is frost resistant: water in the pores can freeze and crack the pot. If a pot stays outside all year round, choose a frost-resistant pot with a drainage hole. What that means exactly is explained in frost-resistant pots outside.

How do you overwinter a lemon tree in a pot?

The ideal winter spot is bright and cool: between 5 and 10 degrees, such as an unheated conservatory, a light stairwell or a garage with a window. In a warm living room the tree drops leaves and gets aphids more easily.

• Light: place the tree as close to the window as possible.
• Cool: 5 to 10 °C is ideal, above 15 °C it becomes restless.
• Water: little, but do not let the root ball dry out completely.
• Checks: look under the leaves regularly for mealybug and scale insects.

An olive tree is much tougher and can often stay outside with protection, as you can read in olive tree in a pot. A lemon tree has no such resilience: in winter it belongs under a roof.

Can a lemon tree go in a mosaic pot?

Certainly. A lemon tree with yellow fruit and glossy leaves looks beautiful in a pot with turquoise, cobalt blue or sand coloured mosaic. Every pot from Masr Potten & Vazen is handmade: the tesserae, hand-cut pieces of glass, are laid and grouted one by one, inspired by the Egyptian mosaic tradition. No two pieces are identical, and small differences in colour are part of handwork.

A pot from the collection starts from about €135, larger sizes are available on request. If the size or colour does not fit, custom work is possible in colour, model and size. That takes six to ten weeks on average from approval to delivery, with photos along the way. For a hotel terrace or an office, even a company logo can be worked into the mosaic. You can ask for a no-obligation quote: you will have a proposal within two working days. We deliver in the Netherlands and Belgium, right to the spot where the pot will stand.

With a large pot, think about the weight too. A pot of 45 cm in diameter, filled with wet soil and a tree, is heavy. Decide on the final spot before you fill it, or put the pot on a plant trolley.