When to Plant Lemon Tree in San Diego, California (92113)

Location

San Diego, California

ZIP Code

92113

USDA Zone

10b

Last Frost

Thursday, January 15, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Direct Sow Outdoors

Thursday, February 12, 2026

Based on last frost Thursday, January 15, 2026 · Zone 10b

Pro tip: Sow Lemon Tree directly outdoors 4 weeks after your last frost date — it needs warm soil.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Citrus limon

Days to Maturity 1095 days

Mature Height 60-120"

Spread 96"

Type Evergreen Tree

Fruit Size Medium (2-3 inches)

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (8+ hours)

💧

Water

Moderate (deep, infrequent watering)

↔️

Spacing

120" apart

Ready to Plant Lemon Tree in San Diego?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Thursday, February 12, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

MarigoldLavenderLemon Balm

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

Fennel

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Lemon Tree

See which plants help Lemon Tree thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌿 Fruit Tree Fertilizer 🕸️ Garden Netting 🚿 Watering Can

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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🪴 Vegetative propagation

Propagate vegetatively, not by seed

Lemon seeds grow polyembryonic seedlings, many of which are true-to-type clones of the parent — worth trying.

Plant fresh seeds immediately — lemon seeds lose viability quickly when dried.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 0 plants of Lemon Tree. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lemon Tree in San Diego, California? +

In San Diego (Zone 10b), direct sow Lemon Tree outdoors around Thursday, February 12, 2026.

What is the last frost date for San Diego, California? +

The average last spring frost date for San Diego, California (ZIP 92113) is around Thursday, January 15, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 10b.

How long does Lemon Tree take to grow? +

Lemon Tree typically matures in about 1095 days from direct sowing. In San Diego, that means you can expect harvest around Thursday, February 12, 2026 plus 1095 days.

Should I start Lemon Tree indoors or direct sow in California? +

Lemon Tree does best when direct sown outdoors. In San Diego, sow directly around Thursday, February 12, 2026.

📚 More Lemon Tree Planting Guides

🗺️

Lemon Tree in California

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 10b Lemon Tree Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for San Diego

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Lemon Tree in Zone 10b

Lemon Tree (Citrus limon) is a popular garden vegetable. In San Diego, California, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10b, you should direct sow seeds around Thursday, February 12, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Thursday, January 15, 2026. Lemon Tree grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.