Description
Eureka Lemon is one of the most widely grown lemons in the world, valued for its consistent production and unmistakable, classic lemon flavor. This is the lemon most people picture—bright yellow, sharply acidic, and endlessly useful in the kitchen.
One of Eureka’s standout traits is its extended flowering habit. In warm conditions, trees often carry blossoms, immature fruit, and ripe lemons at the same time, providing a long harvest window rather than a single short season.
Overview
- Classic culinary lemon with bold, tart flavor.
- Highly productive with extended flowering and fruiting.
- Excellent for juice, zest, cooking, and preserving.
- More traditional and acidic than Meyer lemon.
- Self-fertile.
Growing Details
Latin Name: Citrus limon ’Eureka’
Site and Soil: Full sun; well-drained soil
Rootstock: 1-gallon trees on Flying Dragon; larger sizes on C-35
Hardiness: Frost sensitive; mature trees may tolerate brief dips to approximately 30°F with protection
Bearing Age: Often fruits immediately; grafted trees may produce in their first season
Size at Maturity:
• Flying Dragon: Typically 6–8 ft tall and wide
• C-35: Typically 10–12 ft tall and wide
Note: Trees grown in containers remain smaller and are easily maintained with pruning.
Bloom Time: Spring through fall in warm conditions
Ripening Time: Nearly year-round in mild climates
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile
Seed Content: Typically contains seeds
Pests & Diseases: Similar to other citrus; good airflow and drainage reduce issues
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Eureka is hard to beat for sheer usefulness—when people want “a lemon tree,” this is usually what they mean.
- Regional Insight: Performs best in mild-winter regions; container growing allows reliable harvests in cooler climates with winter protection.
