Lemon Tree
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Origin
The Lemon Tree, Citrus × limon, is an appealing glossy-leaved evergreen that can be grown for its edible fruits - lemons!
This plant is originally native to Southeast Asia and is now found all over the world as a house or garden plant.
They can grow over 15 ft (4.6 m) outdoors, but are much smaller when kept as an indoor potted plant - they're unlikely to exceed 6 ft (1.8 m).
Care
Care for these trees can be a little tricky, but it's totally worth it when you're rewarded with delicious fruits and attractive foliage!
Lemon Trees require warm, frost-free conditions and plenty of light. In colder regions, you can overwinter your Lemon Tree indoors to help it get through the winter months. They do otherwise prefer to be grown outdoors, when the weather allows.
If you can't provide the right conditions for your Lemon Tree, unfortunately there's just no way that the plant will do well. They need full sun, and as much of it as possible, so if your home / garden isn't typically sunny then your plant is very unlikely to thrive.
It's also important to find the right balance when it comes to watering - you should ensure that the soil your Lemon Tree is planted in is well-draining, as these plants don't like to be saturated with water. Ideally, you should select a soil specifically intended for citruses. Younger Lemon Trees need a bit more water and will appreciate regular watering (although, again, make sure not to overwater and never let the plant sit in water, as they can be prone to root rot), whereas they become a little more drought-tolerant as they mature.
Other
With the right conditions, Lemon Trees can produce fruits all year round, and you only need one tree in order to produce fruit.
Lemons have a long history and have been used for many different purposes such as in cosmetics, cleaning products and foods etc. It's thought that they were first brought to the western world during the times of the Ancient Romans - the 2nd century AD. The trees themselves can also live a very long time with the right care - over 50 years!
One of the most common uses of lemons is as an ingredient in cooking or baking and as a general flavoring in, for example, various beverages. As well as their easily recognizable taste and fragrance, lemons are also known for their health benefits. The fruits contain high amounts of vitamin C, as well as vitamins E, A and B6. They're supposed to help combat diabetes, high blood pressure, indigestion and fever, along with potentially having cancer-fighting properties. What's not to like?