Lemon Tree Irrigation Requirements

Soil and Moisture

• Lemons grow well in most soil types except those that retain moisture or become overly wet after rain or irrigation. Select planting areas where the soil thoroughly drains after rain. Avoid those prone to standing water. Check drainage before planting by digging a 12- to 18-inch hole in the site. Fill the hole with water and time how long it takes to drain. The soil is suitable for a lemon tree if the water drains within four hours. Clay soils drain the most slowly, so a site with slightly sandy soil or soil rich in organic matter is preferable.

Irrigation

• Newly planted lemon trees require frequent watering, generally as often as every two to three days. Building a 6-inch tall mound of soil in a 2-foot diameter ring around the tree trunk provides a temporary watering basin. Fill the basin inside the soil mound’s walls with water each irrigation. The water seeps slowly into the tree’s root zone. After two weeks, reduce watering to once every seven to 10 days for the first year. Mature trees need irrigation every two weeks.

Moisture Concerns

• Too much moisture causes root rot. Planting in poorly drained soil or in low-lying basins can result in the root system rotting. Planting the tree too deeply also causes rot. Always set new trees at the same depth they were growing at in the nursery container. Mulch can cause root rot issues, as mulch retains too much moisture in the soil.

Potted Trees

• Dwarf lemon trees grow well in pots both indoors and outside. Water potted trees when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feels dry. The excess irrigation water must flow freely from the pot’s bottom, so don't place a drip tray beneath trees kept outside. Emptying the drip tray beneath indoor lemon trees after each watering prevents the soil from reabsorbing the excess moisture. Indoor trees typically require watering only once or twice weekly, while outdoor trees may require water every one to two days, depending on the weather.