Ponderosa lemon (Citrus 'Ponderosa') - live plant

• A live, rooted plant
• Ornamental and fruiting citrus, to grow in a pot
• Packaging suited to live plants

Ponderosa is a hybrid, generally considered to come from a cross between a citron and a lemon tree, which explains both the size of its fruit and the thickness of its rind.

The tree stays compact, with broad, dark green foliage. It is everbearing: it can carry highly fragrant flowers, small green fruit and ripe lemons at the same time, which is its main decorative appeal.

The fruit has a very thick, fragrant rind and relatively little juice for its size. It is a lemon for zest and candying rather than for squeezing.

Standard citrus care. Citrus compost or free-draining potting mix, never a saucer left permanently full, generous watering and then let it drain.

Full sun in the warm season, outdoors as soon as nights are mild. Frost-free overwintering is essential, in a cool, bright room: an unheated conservatory or a cold greenhouse is ideal, a heated, dark living room is the worst option.

The weight of the fruit can bend the branches: occasional staking is not superfluous on heavy crops.

Is the fruit really that big?
Yes, that is its defining feature. Expect 500 g to over a kilo per fruit on a well-established plant.

Is it good to eat?
The thick, fragrant rind is excellent candied or as zest. The juice is acidic and modest in quantity relative to the size of the fruit.

Can it be planted in the ground?
Only along the Mediterranean fringe. Everywhere else, growing in a pot with overwintering is a must.

Why is my lemon tree losing its leaves in winter?
Usually because of overwintering that is too warm and too dark, or overwatering. Cool and bright is better than warm and dark.

Also worth exploring: our aromatic and edible plants and our rare plants.