General Plant Information

The Eureka Lemon Tree is a small evergreen tree that produces the classic, football-shaped, tart fruits that we are accustomed to buying at the grocery store and using in recipes. Eureka lemon trees grow vigorously and produce heavy crops of fruits all year round. 

The Eureka lemon was introduced to Los Angeles in 1958, from seeds that originated in Italy. But the lemon tree’s history goes back thousands of years.

The lemon tree is thought to have originated in Myanmar (Burma) or Assam, India. From there, it made its way through Persia, to the Middle East, and then onto the Mediterranean. It was introduced to the Americas by Columbus in 1492 and then spread further through the Spanish Conquest.

Lemons have a long history of being used medicinally, symbolically, and for beauty purposes. The ancient Romans didn’t even use them in cooking, instead prizing them for decorative purposes and as a status symbol. Ancient Egyptians used lemon oil to embalm the dead. In the 1500s, Venetian women used a mixture of lemon juice and licorice bark to dye their hair blonde. The British Royal Navy used lemons to protect against scurvy.  Lemon juice was even used to create invisible ink! As far back as 2000 years ago, the Greeks and Persians used this ink in espionage and to transmit wartime correspondences, a practice that continued in some form all the way up through WWII. 

Today, lemon trees still have a dizzyingly wide variety of uses across culinary, household, medicinal, beauty, fragrance, landscaping, and decorative applications. Here are just a few: 

Culinary

Lemons are used for their juice, zest, and pulp. They’re versatile when used with poultry, fish, and vegetable dishes, in soups, sauces, and marinades. Lemons are also used for preserving and pickling and can be used for meat tenderizing. 

Delicious lemon-based options abound in baking: lemon bars, cakes, cookies, pies, and lemon curd. 

In terms of beverages, we have our superstar, lemonade. Lemons are used in a wide variety of cocktails, for their juice and as a garnish. And there is also the Italian lemon liqueur, limoncello. 

Try this recipe for lemon powder. 

Cleaning & Household

Lemon juice can be used as a natural cleaner and disinfectant for surfaces, cutting boards, and kitchen utensils. It can also remove stains, freshen the air, and act as a natural deodorizer. Lemon peels can be used to make DIY citrus-infused cleaners, to get rid of ants, and can be placed in garbage disposals to freshen the scent. 

Benefits

Lemons are high in vitamin C, bioflavonoids, and powerhouse antioxidants like polyphenols. 

Many people enjoy drinking lemon water as a part of their morning routine. 

Landscaping

Lemon trees have glossy green leaves and fragrant white blossoms, which add beauty and fragrance to gardens and landscapes. Their evergreen foliage provides shade and privacy, making them a popular choice for landscaping purposes.

Aromatherapy & Fragrance

Lemon oil is used in aromatherapy for its mood-boosting and invigorating properties. It also can ease anxiety. Lemon oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties

Eureka Lemon Tree Information and Care

Our Eureka Lemon tree is grown in Standard and Semi-Dwarf. The standard citrus tree has a single trunk with the canopy raised above the main trunk.  The Semi-Dwarf grows like a bush with the canopy low to the ground. They are easier to pick than standard trees but need enough room to walk around them. These are also great for pots! Standard trees are often planted near a walkway since they can be walked under. Although a citrus tree can grow over 20 feet tall, prune to keep them short to desired height. Many grow their Eureka Lemon tree 9 – 15 feet tall. When it comes to spacing, plant citrus trees as close as 9-12 feet apart. Provide more space to allow for larger growth. A great choice for the home garden. Its small size will serve as a beautiful ornamental, as well as provide many fruits.

How To Plant, Water, and Fertilize Eureka Lemon Citrus Trees

Plant an Eureka Lemon tree in the full sun. Amend the soil with high-quality planting mix and fertilizer to improve the soil. Water a newly planted tree twice per week during the Spring through Summer. Water once per week in the Fall and Winter, while the weather is cool. Consequently, trees in hot climates or sandy soils may need water more frequently.

Spring is the most important time to fertilize a citrus tree. Use citrus food fertilizer with a 2-1-1 NPK ratio in the Spring through Summer. To promote growth, there is twice as much nitrogen to phosphorus and potassium. Blood meal and manure are great organic sources of nitrogen. Use a fertilizer with more phosphorus and potassium like bone meal during the Winter to promote flowers and fruit. Lemons are less attractive to birds and animals like squirrels.