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Full Sun
1-2 ft./yr Growth
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GrowScripts Lemon Tree Care Kit
+ $19
Premium Potting Mix
Nutrient-rich blend for healthy growth
+ $19
Harvey Lemon Tree Information
About The Harvey Lemon Tree
The Harvey Lemon is a genuine Citrus limon — bright, acidic, and packed with the sharp, clean juice you want for lemonade, marinades, and the squeeze over a plate of fish. What sets it apart is its origin story: it was selected in Florida specifically for cold tolerance, making it noticeably hardier than most true lemons. If you garden along the Gulf Coast or the cooler edges of the Southeast and have always been told real lemons won't survive your winters, Harvey is the variety that quietly proves otherwise. It delivers classic, full-acid lemon flavor — not the sweeter, mandarin-tinged taste of a Meyer — on a tree built to shrug off the chill that ends other lemons.
Why You'll Love It:
- Real lemon flavor, full acidity. Unlike sweeter hybrids, Harvey gives you the bright, tart juice and aromatic zest that classic lemon recipes are built around.
- Bred in Florida for cold hardiness. Selected for its ability to take cooler temperatures than the average lemon, it's a smart choice where citrus is borderline.
- A productive Gulf and Southeast performer. It sets heavy crops of medium-to-large fruit and thrives in the humid, warm-summer conditions of the lower South.
- Reliably juicy fruit. Thin-to-medium rind over generous, high-acid juice means more usable lemon per fruit for the kitchen.
- Evergreen and ornamental. Glossy leaves and fragrant white blooms make it a handsome year-round addition to a yard, patio, or large container.
Your plant may arrive in a grower Citra-pot. See our simple repotting guide & pot sizing tips here.
Harvey Lemon Tree Details
Mature Height:
12-14 ft.
Mature Width:
8-10 ft.
Sunlight:
Full Sun
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Harvest Time:
Fall
Botanical Name:
Citrus limon 'Harvey'
Grows Well In Zones:
3-11 patio / 9-11 outdoors
Does Not Ship To:
AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Watering Requirements
Water newly planted trees weekly, providing 1-2 inches of water. Once established, reduce watering frequency but ensure deep watering when you do water, especially during fruit development and dry periods.
Sunlight Requirements
Thrives in full sun, needing at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce abundant fruit. Tolerates some light shade, but excessive shading can lead to weak growth, fewer blossoms, and reduced fruit yield.
Humidity Requirements
Lemons love humidity just as much as they love the sun, thriving best when levels are around 50–60%, though they are resilient enough to handle levels as low as 40% without much fuss. The easiest way to keep your tree comfortable indoors is with a humidifier, which creates a consistent 'microclimate' of moist air that helps your plant thrive year-round.
Pet-Friendly Plant?
No, use caution when placing this plant in homes with pets.
Is the Harvey Lemon Tree self-fertile, and does it need hand pollination?
Yes, the Harvey Lemon Tree is completely self-fertile (self-pollinating), meaning you only need one tree to get fruit. Outdoor trees rely on wind and pollinators. If you are keeping your tree indoors or on a closed sunroom patio, you can maximize your fruit yields by gently shaking the flowering branches or using a small paintbrush.
How soon does a Harvey Lemon Tree produce fruit?
Harvey Lemon Trees are fast growers and frequently begin setting fruit within their 1-2 years after planting under optimal conditions. The fruit ripens continuously from late fall through winter (September to March).
How does the Harvey Lemon compare to Meyer and Eureka lemons?
While Meyer lemons are sweeter mandarin hybrids and Eureka lemons are the classic grocery store standard, the Harvey Lemon combines a true, tart lemon flavor with exceptional cold hardiness down to 20°F. Unlike the frost-sensitive Meyer and Eureka varieties, the Harvey offers higher disease resistance and a heavy juice yield under cooler growing conditions.
All of our plants ship in premium packaging for zero damage on arrival. Here’s what you can expect in your box on arrival:
Your Harvey Lemon Tree
Fully rooted in a nursery pot with soil intact
Custom Protection System
Corner guards, soil stabilizer, and branch sleeves keep it secure
Pre-Watered & Ready
Each plant is watered 24 hours before it is shipped
Care Instructions Card
Includes expert-curated care tips to help your plant thrive far beyond the first 30 days.
Perfect For Gifting
No pricing or packing slips included with gifts! Just the plant and a note.
Additional Resources
- Video: Workshop Tutorial 1
- Video: Workshop Tutorial 2
- Video: Workshop Tutorial 3
- Citrus Tree Care Guide
- How to Prune Citrus Trees
- How to Pollinate Citrus Trees
- How to Harvest Citrus Trees
- Patio Gardening 101: Growing in Containers
Citrus Tree Care Guide
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How to Prune Citrus Trees
Pruning citrus trees is an essential practice for maintaining tree health, and improving fruit production. While it may seem intimidating, pruning is relatively simple when you follow a few key...
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How to Pollinate Citrus Trees
Pollination plays a crucial role in the life cycle of citrus trees, ensuring they produce those juicy, vibrant fruits we love. In this article, we'll guide you on how citrus...
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How to Harvest Citrus Trees
Harvesting citrus trees requires knowing the right time to pick for the best flavor and quality, with each variety having its peak season. Below we share best practices on harvesting...
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Patio Gardening 101: Growing in Containers
If you’ve ever dreamed of having a lush garden but lack a sprawling backyard, don’t worry—patio gardening is the perfect solution! In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essentials...
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Why Choose The Sill?
Not all Harvey Lemon Trees are created equal
Greenhouse Grown
Not warehouse-held. Hand-picked and cared for by our experts.
Outdoor Ready
Pre-conditioned for outdoor growth.
Hand-Selected
Inspected by experts. Only our best ship out.
30-Day Guarantee
Free replacements if not happy and healthy.