How to Grow a Lemon Tree in NZ: Planting, Care and Harvest

Updated October 2026

Plant citrus in spring once the soil has warmed, in a sheltered sunny spot out of cold wind. Meyer copes best with frost while true lemons want warmer northern gardens. Feed with citrus fertiliser in spring and late summer.

What it looks like as it grows

🌱 Plant profile: Lemon Tree, with sowing times for your region, companion plants and common pests.

When to Plant a Lemon Tree in Your Region

Lemon trees are planted in spring once the soil has warmed. These are the planting months for each of our nine New Zealand regions, straight from our planting data. Each region links to its vegetable planting calendar, and the Lemon tree plant page has spacing, companions and care notes for your region.

Northland, Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty, and Wellington and the lower North Island plant lemons from September to November. Nelson and Marlborough wait until October, once the frosts finish, and the central North Island plants in November in a warm, sheltered spot. Canterbury and Otago and Southland are marginal for lemons: plant a Meyer in November in a warm, sheltered, north facing spot and cover young trees with frost cloth. Hard frosts rule out lemons outdoors in Central Otago, so keep a Meyer in a pot there and move it under cover for winter. Our frost protection guide shows how to cover young trees.

Best lemon tree varieties for NZ

• Meyer, The hardiest citrus in New Zealand and the standard backyard lemon, near year-round fruit, more cold-tolerant than true lemons. (Kings Plant Barn)
• Yen Ben, True Lisbon-type lemon, the main commercial variety, smooth thin skin and few seeds, often on trifoliata rootstock. (Waimea Nurseries)
• Lisbon, Vigorous, productive true lemon with good cold tolerance, thorny but reliable. (Kings Plant Barn, Oderings)

How to grow lemon tree

• Space trees about 300cm apart.
• Plant a grafted tree with the graft union above the soil line.
• Position: full sun, sheltered from cold wind and frost.
• Expect the first good crop about two years after planting.

How to Plant a Lemon Tree

1. Choose a sunny spot with free-draining soil, sheltered from cold wind and frost.
2. Plant a grafted tree in your planting month, keeping the graft union above the soil line.
3. Allow about 3 metres between trees, or less for a dwarf variety.
4. Water deeply and mulch well, keeping the mulch clear of the trunk.
5. Never let the roots sit in soggy ground, because citrus does not tolerate wet feet.

Feeding and Watering a Lemon Tree

Feed with a dedicated citrus fertiliser several times through the growing season, including spring and late summer. Water deeply and regularly, especially while fruit is forming, and never let the tree go bone dry. Yellow leaves usually mean the tree is hungry or the roots are too wet, so check the drainage before you add more fertiliser.

Growing a Lemon Tree in a Pot

Lemons grow well in containers. Our plant data calls for a pot of at least 50 cm and a dwarf variety. A pot is the way to grow a lemon in Central Otago, where the tree can be moved under cover for winter, and it helps in any frosty garden. Our citrus in pots guide covers mixes and feeding.

When to Pick Lemons

Our plant data allows about two years from planting to a good crop. Meyer gives fruit nearly all year round. Pick lemons when they are fully coloured, firm and heavy for their size, and twist them gently or cut the stem. Lemons hold well on the tree, so you can leave them there until you need them. Picked lemons keep for a week on the bench and 3 to 4 weeks in the fridge, and the juice freezes well in ice cube trays.

Companion planting

Grow lemon tree near: Comfrey.

Pests and problems

Watch for: Guava moth, Citrus leaf miner, Scale, Verrucosis (lemon scab). See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.