- Mature height
- 3m to 5m (approx.)
- Mature width
- 2m to 3m
Citrus limon 'Eureka' is the standard commercial lemon, an evergreen tree with a rounded canopy of glossy mid green leaves and few thorns. It flowers and fruits over most of the year, carrying fragrant white blossom flushed purple in the bud alongside large, thin skinned bright yellow lemons with high juice content.
It grows to about 3 to 4 metres tall and 2 to 3 metres wide, faster in warm districts. Full sun, fertile free draining soil and consistent moisture are the requirements. It is frost sensitive, more so than most lemons, so it wants a frost free or protected position in warm temperate and subtropical gardens.
Eureka is the lemon planted where fruit is the priority, in kitchen gardens, orchard rows, courtyards and half barrels. The near continuous cropping means there is usually fruit on the tree, and the fragrant flowers and evergreen canopy carry it as a garden plant in its own right.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Eureka Lemon
What is a Eureka Lemon?
Citrus limon 'Eureka' is the most widely planted commercial lemon in Australia and around the world. It is an evergreen tree with a rounded canopy, largely thornless stems, and fruit that is large, thin skinned and very juicy with a sharp acid flavour. It is valued above all for cropping across most of the year.
How big does a Eureka Lemon grow?
A tree in the ground reaches about 3 to 4 metres tall and 2 to 3 metres across, though a dwarf grafted tree or container growing holds it smaller. Growth is moderate, and pruning to keep the canopy at picking height is straightforward. Allow enough width around the tree to work comfortably at harvest.
When does Eureka Lemon fruit?
Eureka is close to an everbearing lemon. The main crop ripens winter into spring, with flushes of flower and fruit through the rest of the year, so an established tree usually carries fruit and blossom at the same time. Fruit holds well on the tree, so pick as you need it rather than all at once.
Is Eureka Lemon frost tolerant?
No. Eureka is the most frost sensitive of the common lemons, and frost damages flowers, young fruit and soft growth. Plant it in a frost free position, against a north facing wall or under high overhead cover in marginal districts. In cold gardens Meyer is the more reliable lemon, or keep Eureka in a movable pot.
Does it need full sun?
Full sun, ideally six hours or more, is what drives flowering and fruit quality. Shaded trees grow leggy, crop poorly and are more prone to fungal problems in humid weather. Give it an open position with good air movement and shelter from cold or salt laden wind, which also helps keep the foliage clean.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes, and a half barrel or a pot of 60 centimetres and wider is the usual approach on balconies and in courtyards. Use a premium citrus mix, water more often than you would a garden tree, and feed lightly but regularly. Repot or root prune every three or four years to keep the tree productive.
How do I care for a Eureka Lemon tree?
Feed with a complete citrus fertiliser in early spring, midsummer and early autumn, and water deeply and consistently, as irregular watering causes fruit drop and split skins. Mulch widely but not against the trunk. Prune after the main harvest to open the canopy. Monitor for leaf miner, scale, aphids and bronze orange bug.