When Life Gives You Lemons …
Greenery in your home offers numerous benefits. Houseplants may bring joy, cleaner air ... and a pleasant pastime! Over the past year or so, I’ve experimented with planting lemon seeds (and other fruit).
Yes, it would take quite a while for these seeds to bear fruit. Still, they make for cute houseplants in the process!
So when life gives you lemons … plant a lemon tree.
Below, I’ll share a bit about my experience with planting lemon seeds, which I initially learned from a blog post by Empress of Dirt! (It’s fairly simple & fun.)
STEP ONE
After slicing a lemon for your water or next meal, consider setting the seeds aside to grow a cute houseplant (and eventually, a lemon tree).
First, rinse the seed carefully under water & drop them into a clean glass of water (cleaning them thoroughly and for the “float test.” If they sink, that’s good!)
STEP TWO
Dry them with a paper towel & cut the pointy tips off. (This can be the next day if easier.) Nail clippers or small scissors work great.
There is a seed inside the outer shell. Peel away the outer shell to find the seed inside.
STEP THREE
A popular method is to place the seeds in a plastic bag, but I prefer using a small glass container. Dampen a paper towel or two & enclose the seeds between the damp towels.
Cover the container with a lid or seal the plastic bag, but leave a small gap for air circulation. This helps the seeds breathe while germinating.
Set them in a dark drawer or cabinet to simulate being underground.
STEP FOUR
Germination takes about two weeks (this may vary slightly). During this time, change the paper towel every 2-4 days for freshness. Set a calendar reminder if needed! Eventually, you’ll notice small, sprouted seeds. <3
STEP FIVE
Once sprouted, it’s time to plant the seeds!
I’ve used small containers – such as little pots, a small glass, or old candle ceramics – to begin the process. This is cute & fun, but they typically need repotting within a few months. (It might not hurt to begin in a medium-sized container!)
STEP SIX
Enjoy. Proper care consists of natural light, some water (not too much, but not too little), and an occasional “I love you.”
Although lemons are native tropical plants, they do just fine inside during the winter. During the summer season, they also love to be outside! Due to this, spring is a great time to begin the process!
