FAQ text

How long does a lemon seed take to sprout? Usually 1–3 weeks on damp paper at 21–25 °C. Below about 18 °C it can take much longer.

Should I peel the lemon seed? Yes. Removing the hard outer coat after an overnight soak lets water reach the seed faster, so it usually sprouts sooner.

Will my lemon tree grow lemons? Maybe, after many years. Trees grown from seed often take 5–15 years to flower and rarely fruit indoors. The fruit can differ from the lemon you bought.

Why did several sprouts come from one seed? Many citrus seeds contain more than one embryo, so one seed can give two or three seedlings.

What age is this experiment for? Ages 5 and up with an adult. The adult handles the knife; children peel, observe, measure and log.