Grown primarily in tropical, subtropical, and Mediterranean climates, lemons do best in warm, humid conditions. These tips will help you care for your new lemon tree:

Soil

Lemon trees prefer well-draining soil. They can easily succumb to root rot if allowed to sit in soggy soils. For best indoor results, plant the lemon seedlings in a fast-draining cactus and succulent mix, or add pumice, perlite, or sand to a standard soil mix to ensure good drainage.

Water

Like most citruses, lemons enjoy ample water but can suffer when given too much. When watering the lemons, water deeply and ensure the soil is thoroughly moistened each time you water the plants. As with cacti and succulents, it’s best to water as needed when the soil becomes dry, rather than following a weekly schedule. Heating, air conditioning, and fans affect how quickly the soil dries out.

Pests

Outdoors, lemon trees are exceptionally hardy and mostly pest-free, but indoors, various pests, such as mealybugs, aphids, mites, and whiteflies can target them. Most pests can be managed with proper dosing of an organic pesticide such as neem oil, insecticidal soap, or pyrethrin. Always follow the instructions listed on each product, and never spray when beneficial insects like bees and ladybugs are present.

Lemons for All

After all that, the real question is: Why throw away lemon seeds and continuously buy bag after bag of lemons at the store? Instead, use them to grow a lemon tree of your own. Follow these steps, and with a little care, you’ll be enjoying your own lemons in no time.

Read More: Benefits of Lemon Water: What’s Myth and What’s Fact?