Eureka Lemon Tree

The Eureka Lemon (Citrus limon 'Eureka') is the lemon most Australian backyards should have. It is nearly thornless, which makes picking and pruning a far better job than the old types, and it crops close to year round rather than in one heavy autumn flush. A tree in open ground reaches about 4m tall and 3m wide, while grafted dwarf stock holds nearer 2m, which is why so many end up in pots.

Why you'll love it

• Fruit almost all year. A main winter to spring crop plus scattered fruit the rest of the year, so there is usually a lemon on the tree when you want one.
• Nearly thornless. You can reach into the canopy to pick or prune without gloves and long sleeves.
• Self pollinating. One tree is all you need, with no second variety and no waiting.
• Built for a pot. It fruits happily in a container, one of the few genuinely productive plants for a balcony, and the fragrant blossom keeps bees busy.

Where it works best

Pots and containers. Use 500mm or larger with a premium mix rated for citrus. A potted Eureka needs more water and feed than one in the ground, but it crops reliably and can be moved out of frost.

Balconies and courtyards. Six hours of direct sun is the requirement. A north or west facing wall gives reflected warmth that lifts fruit quality noticeably.

Small gardens and feature planting. In the ground allow a 3m circle of clear space and keep lawn out from under the canopy: citrus roots are shallow and lose out to grass.

Growing the Eureka Lemon in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, minimum six hours, with shelter from wind. It suits tropical, subtropical, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens, so Brisbane, Sydney, Perth and Adelaide are comfortable, and it handles humidity and salt air. Light frost only, though, so in Melbourne, Canberra and cold inland districts grow it in a pot against a warm wall and cover it on frosty nights.

Soil. Free draining above all else. Citrus will not tolerate waterlogging, so on clay plant on a mound 300mm high. Mulch 75mm deep and clear of the trunk, because collar rot is the most common killer of backyard citrus.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first summer, then weekly in warm weather. Citrus are hungry: apply a dedicated citrus fertiliser in late winter, mid spring and late summer.

Pruning. Light work only. Remove shoots below the graft, thin crossing branches to open the centre, and shorten whippy growth after the main harvest.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in five sizes: 250mm packs of three, single 300mm, 400mm and 500mm pots, and 100L specimens. The 300mm and 400mm sizes suit a garden bed or a large pot, and the 100L trees arrive with a formed head, often with fruit already set.

Expect a quiet first season while the roots establish, then a worthwhile crop in year one to two from a 400mm plant. Plants travel upright and are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee. Note for pet owners: citrus foliage and oils are toxic to cats and dogs.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The full lemon tree care guide for Australian gardens
• Compare every citrus variety we grow
• Browse fruit trees for the backyard

Common questions

How soon will it fruit?

Usually one to two years from a 300mm or 400mm plant, sooner from a 100L tree already carrying fruit. Remove the first small crop so the tree builds roots instead.

Eureka or Meyer, which should I choose?

Eureka gives a true tart lemon with thin skin and plenty of juice, and crops closer to year round. Meyer is sweeter, milder and more cold tolerant. Most cooks want Eureka.

Why are the leaves turning yellow?

Nine times out of ten it is hunger or drainage. Feed three times a year, check water is not sitting around the roots, and pull mulch back.