How Often Should You Water a Lemon Tree?

Location and Watering

• Deciding the right amount of water and frequency is difficult. If lemon tree is planted in the ground instead of a container, water the plant deeply once a week. For potted lemon plants, water the plant profoundly once or twice a week. For indoor container-grown plants, ¼ or ½ gallon water every five to seven days is sufficient. Allow the containerized lemon tree's soil to dry in between each watering. The watering schedule depends on the location of the tree, its container size and the drainage.

Moisture Test

• Water the tree evenly and take care that the soil does not dry out completely in a day. For container-planted lemon trees or potted citrus plants, watering is necessary before the soil dries out or at least until it is slightly damp. Test the moistness of the plant at the root level by using a moisture tester or the finger test method. Thrust your fingers into the soil 2 to 3 inches deep and feel the dryness and decide whether the tree needs water.

Over Watering

• Once you know the sufficiency of water for the tree, resist the temptation of over watering. Excessive watering indicates that drainage is poor. The leaves turn yellow and drop. Heavy watering leads to sogginess of roots and excessive drop of yellow leaves.

Under Watering

• Too little water kills the tree. It may dry out in a few days. If you start watering the dried tree, it sheds leaves. Adjust the watering schedule evenly and be consistent with it. The leaves regrow and the lemon tree recovers.