Meyer lemon
The most cold-hardy lemon, a lemon-mandarin hybrid that is sweeter and less acid than a true lemon, but still only semi-hardy at about 20F. In zone 7-8 it is a container plant you protect, not a field tree; included as the borderline case the cold gate should demote, not pass, outdoors.
Across the consideration criteria
How it grows
- Cold hardiness
- 20°F
- Ripening
- Mid-season
- Vigor
- Moderate
- Disease tolerance
- Moderate
- Drainage need
- Well
- Soil pH
- 6–7.5
- Graft requirement
- Graft Required
- US availability
- Available
Considerations
Canopy killed at about 20°F.
Needs moderate heat to colour and sweeten.
Mid-season fruit (year-round, peak winter).
moderate
Prefers a pH band of 6–7.5.
These are intrinsic to the citrus. On a real property, Folia scores each against your site; here they're shown on their own.
Grows alike
similar to growMeyer lemon (improved)
ripens in the same window · wants the same heat to ripen
Eureka lemon
ripens in the same window · wants the same heat to ripen
Lisbon lemon
ripens in the same window · wants the same heat to ripen
Femminello lemon
ripens in the same window · wants the same heat to ripen
Fino (Primofiori) lemon
ripens in the same window · wants the same heat to ripen
Villafranca lemon
ripens in the same window · wants the same heat to ripen
Climate-adapted alternatives
more resilient picksMeyer lemon (improved)
similar cold hardiness · similar heat requirement
Eureka lemon
similar cold hardiness · similar heat requirement
Lisbon lemon
similar cold hardiness · similar heat requirement
Femminello lemon
similar cold hardiness · similar heat requirement
Verna lemon
similar cold hardiness · similar heat requirement
Fino (Primofiori) lemon
similar cold hardiness · similar heat requirement
Could Meyer lemon grow on your land?
See how Meyer lemon scores against your specific property, with local precedent, climate, and the tradeoffs for your ground.
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