Description
Genoa Lemon is a dependable, classic lemon that shines in home gardens where space, productivity, and resilience matter. Long grown in Mediterranean-style climates, it delivers the bright acidity and versatility people expect from a true lemon, with a more compact, manageable growth habit.
One of Genoa’s standout traits is its dense foliage and steady production. In warm, well-managed conditions, trees can flower and fruit over an extended season, sometimes carrying blossoms and lemons at the same time. The fruit is thin-skinned, typically low-seed, and excellent for juice, zest, cooking, and preserving.
Overview
- Classic culinary lemon with bold, tart flavor.
- More compact and densely foliated than many lemon varieties.
- Typically seedless with thin, aromatic peel.
- Productive with extended flowering in favorable conditions.
- Self-fertile.
Growing Details
Latin Name: Citrus limon ’Genoa’
Site and Soil: Full sun; well-drained soil
Rootstock: 1-gallon trees on Flying Dragon; larger sizes on C-35
Hardiness: One of the more cold-tolerant true lemons; mature trees may tolerate brief dips to approximately 28–30°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 climates
Ripening Time: Extended; nearly year-round in favorable conditions
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile
Seed Content: Typically seedless
Pests & Diseases: Similar to other citrus; good airflow and drainage reduce issues
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Genoa is a great choice if you want a true lemon that stays more compact and handles cool weather a bit better than most.
- Regional Insight: Performs especially well in mild-winter regions and in containers where winter protection is available.
