Lisbon Lemon Tree

Lisbon Lemon (Citrus limon 'Lisbon') is the lemon to plant when the position is hot, open or exposed. It grows vigorously to about 4.5m tall and 3.5m wide, and it handles heat and wind better than Eureka, which is why it is the standard commercial lemon across drier inland Australia. The fruit is heavily juiced, and the tree carries a main winter crop with useful lemons hanging most of the year.

Why you'll love it

• It takes the heat. Heat tolerant and wind tolerant, which is exactly where thinner skinned lemon varieties struggle. Inland, arid and semi arid gardens suit it.
• Lemons for most of the year. A heavy main crop through winter with scattered fruit in the warmer months.
• Scent you notice. The white blossom is strongly fragrant and works bees hard, and an established tree flushes several times a year.
• It grows in a pot. On dwarf grafted stock in a large container it holds around 2m and still fruits, which makes it workable for a courtyard.

Where it works best

Feature planting. A single lemon in a sunny corner carries glossy foliage, scented flowers and yellow fruit at once. Allow 3.5m of width and 1m of clearance from a fence.

Pots and small gardens. Use a pot at least 500mm wide and deep. In the ground, regular pruning holds it at 2.5m to 3m and keeps the fruit in reach.

One caution. Lisbon is thorny, more so than Eureka. Keep it clear of a narrow path or a play area.

Growing Lisbon Lemon in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, at least six hours, in the warmest spot you have. It suits subtropical, warm temperate, Mediterranean, and arid and semi arid gardens. Lisbon tolerates light frost only, so in frosty districts use a north facing wall or a movable pot.

Soil. Free draining is not negotiable, because citrus roots rot in wet ground. On clay, plant on a mound raised 200mm to 300mm and improve the bed widely rather than deeply.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first two summers, then weekly in dry weather. Consistent water while fruit is sizing prevents splitting. Feed a citrus fertiliser in late winter, midsummer and early autumn.

Pruning. Light and regular. Take out water shoots, growth below the graft, and enough interior wood to let light in. Avoid heavy pruning in hot weather, since exposed bark sunburns.

What to expect when it arrives

Lisbon Lemon is grown in four sizes: 2.4L, 200mm in packs of six, 250mm in packs of three, and 400mm. The 2.4L stock moves in and out of backorder, so check the size selector. The 200mm and 250mm plants are young grafted trees, roughly knee to waist height, and the 400mm is established and can crop in its first or second year.

Citrus is evergreen, so it travels in leaf and some leaf drop after transit is normal. Do not fertilise for the first month. Water it in well and expect new growth in four to six weeks. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every tree carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The complete lemon tree care guide
• Growing citrus in an Australian backyard
• Compare the lemon varieties we grow
• Browse the wider citrus range

Common questions

Lisbon or Eureka, which should I plant?

Lisbon is the tougher tree: more heat tolerant, more wind tolerant and more vigorous, with a concentrated winter crop. Eureka is nearly thornless and fruits more evenly through the year. If your position is hot, dry or exposed, choose Lisbon.

Why are the leaves turning yellow?

Most often overwatering or poor drainage, especially through winter. Yellowing between green veins points instead to a trace element deficiency, which a citrus fertiliser corrects. Check the drainage first.

How long until I get lemons?

A 200mm or 250mm grafted tree usually gives its first real crop in year two or three, and a 400mm tree can fruit the season after planting. Remove most of the first year's fruit either way.