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edible

Lemon

Citrus x limon

Climate-suitable non-native

Growing guidance

Horticultural figures below are practitioner estimates for planning, pending expert review. The botanical record further down is sourced and verifiable.

Current-climate suitability

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Future-climate resilience

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Sun

Full sun

Soil moisture

average

Heat tolerance

Up to about 42°C

Cold tolerance

Down to about -3°C

Waterlogging tolerance

1/5

Drought tolerance

3/5

Mature size

2–4 m tall, 2.5 m spread

Seasonal interest

Most of the year · White flower

Maintenance

medium

Wildlife supported

General wildlife value 2/5 (verified species relationships are shown only where structured data exists)

Known risks or warnings

Frost-tender; needs feeding and free drainage.

Toxicity: none

Verified botanical record

Accepted scientific name
Citrus × limon (L.) Osbeck
Family
Rutaceae (Sapindales)
Rank and status
species · accepted
GBIF record
Taxon 7647136

Recorded as introduced in: Albania, Assam, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bogotá, Bogotá, D.C., Borneo, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast and 42 further regions

Ranges are exactly as recorded in the GBIF source checklists and may be incomplete for widely cultivated species.

The lemon (Citrus × limon) is a species of small evergreen tree in the Citrus genus of the flowering plant family Rutaceae. A true lemon is a hybrid of the citron and the bitter orange. Its origins are uncertain, but some evidence suggests lemons originated during the 1st millennium BC in what is now northeastern India. Some other citrus fruits are called lemon. The yellow fruit of the lemon tree is used throughout the world, primarily for its juice. The pulp and rind are used in cooking and baking. The juice of the lemon is about 5–6% citric acid, giving it a sour taste. This makes it a key ingredient in drinks and foods such as lemonade and lemon meringue pie.

Description from Wikipedia — Lemon (CC BY-SA), shortened and unedited in substance.

Native status and geographic context

  • United Kingdom: climate-suitable
  • United States: climate-suitable
  • Australia: climate-suitable

Native status is never inferred from climate similarity. Plants restricted or invasive in a jurisdiction are excluded from recommendations there.

Demonstration data. Climate, plant and retailer records shown here are realistic samples awaiting horticultural validation and live data connections.