How to grow lemon and other citrus from leaves

Citrus trees, with their vibrant fruits and fragrant blooms, are a delightful addition to any garden or indoor space. While many people opt to grow citrus from seeds or nursery-bought plants, did you know that you can also propagate these trees from their leaves? Propagating citrus from leaves is an exciting and rewarding process that allows you to create new plants from existing ones, all while saving money and experimenting with different varieties. In this guide, we’ll take you through the step-by-step process of growing lemon and other citrus trees from leaves.

What You’ll Need:
Healthy Citrus Leaves: Choose leaves from a healthy, mature citrus tree. Make sure the leaves are free from pests and disease.
Rooting Hormone (Optional): While not necessary, rooting hormone can help speed up the rooting process.
Potting Mix: Use a well-draining potting mix suitable for citrus trees.
Containers: Small pots or containers for planting the leaves.
Plastic Bags or Domes: These will create a humid environment to encourage root growth.
Watering Can or Spray Bottle: For watering the leaves.

Step 1: Selecting and Preparing the Leaves
Choose healthy leaves from the middle or upper part of the citrus tree. Avoid using leaves from the lower part, as they may not root as successfully. Carefully remove the leaves from the tree, ensuring that you include a small portion of the stem (about an inch long) attached to each leaf.

Step 2: Applying Rooting Hormone (Optional)
If you’re using rooting hormone, dip the cut end of each leaf into the hormone powder, tapping off any excess. Rooting hormone contains auxins that stimulate root growth and can increase the success rate of propagation.

Step 3: Planting the Leaves
Fill small pots or containers with moist potting mix. Make a small hole in the soil with your finger or a pencil, and gently insert the stem end of each leaf into the hole. Press the soil around the base of the leaf to hold it in place.

Step 4: Creating a Humid Environment
To encourage root growth, cover the pots with plastic bags or domes to create a mini greenhouse effect. This will help retain moisture and create a humid environment, which is essential for root development.

Step 5: Watering and Care
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. You can water the leaves from the top or place the pots in a shallow tray of water and allow the soil to soak up moisture from the bottom. Avoid overwatering, as this can cause the leaves to rot.

Step 6: Transplanting
After several weeks, check for signs of root growth by gently tugging on the leaves. If you feel resistance, it indicates that roots have formed. Once roots are established, carefully transplant the young plants into larger pots filled with citrus potting mix.

Step 7: Providing Proper Care
Place the newly transplanted citrus plants in a bright, sunny location with at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Water the plants regularly, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Fertilize the plants with a balanced citrus fertilizer according to the package instructions.

Growing lemon and other citrus trees from leaves is a fun and rewarding way to expand your garden or indoor plant collection. With a little patience and care, you can enjoy the satisfaction of watching your propagated plants grow into healthy, productive citrus trees. So why not give it a try? Who knows, you might just discover your green thumb in the process!