Leaf Droop on a Lemon Tree: What It Means & What to Do About It (2024)

You’re a new lemon tree owner and everything is going great-your tree is starting to grow new leaves, cute little buds are beginning todevelop… but then suddenly you spot that a few of the leaves are starting todroop. If you’re an overly attentive lemon tree owner like me, you’reimmediately concerned. You might be wondering “Is it getting enough sunlight?” “Am I watering it enough?” “Am Iwatering it too much?” All of these are valid concerns and could potentiallycause leaf droop.

Leaf droop, especially if occasional and not chronic, is oftennot a cause for concern. However, sometimes leaf droop is an early indicator ofa more serious problem. Luckily, if the only symptom your tree displays is leafdroop, then you are plenty early in catching the problem. If treatedappropriately, your tree will recover quickly and easily.

Read on to find out more about why your lemon tree’s leavesare drooping, and what you should do about it.

Leaf droop is characterized by the abnormal sagging ordownward bending of a plant’s foliage. If the leaves of your lemon tree aredrooping, they may retain their deep green color but appear to be tired orlimp, and lack their usual perky and upturned form.

Leaf droop on a lemon tree is usually one of the first signsof sudden stress. Stress can be caused by a variety of things, some of whichare cause for concern, while some are generally benign. In either situation, thegood news is that leaf droop is always anearly indicator of stress, and that yourlemon tree will easily and quickly recover if the correct action is taken. Becauseof this, there is no need to panic if your lemon tree’s leaves are suddenly drooping.

Continue reading to assess the possible reasons your lemon tree’sleaves may be drooping, and then take appropriate action to remedy the situation.Your lemon tree will be back to looking its perky, happy, healthy self in no time!

Temperature or LightChange

The leaves of lemon trees can droop when introduced to hotor cold temperatures, or a change in light. You might also find that it is theyoung leaves or new growth are especially expressive in their drooping. Oftenthis is not cause for concern. Is your lemon tree positioned near a window thatmight be leaking cold gusts of air at night? Did you just put your lemon treeoutside for the warmer season and as a result is it exposed to more direct sunor heat? These are totally normal causes for your lemon tree’s leaves to droop.

If you suspect your lemon tree’s leaves are drooping becauseof a change in temperature or light, this is normal, and it is not alwaysnecessary to take action. As long as your lemon tree isn’t being exposed toprolonged temperatures below 30 degrees Fahrenheit, or so much light or heat that its leaves begin to dry, brown, orscorch, then your lemon tree is just reacting to its environment and willrecover once it adapts to or is relieved from the temporary stressor.

You will also want to make sure that your lemon tree’sleaves aren’t wilting due to a lack of light. Did you recently move your treeindoors from being outdoors for the summer? Did you recently move your lemontree to another location in the house where it might not be receiving as muchsunlight? Keep in mind that lemon trees need at least 6 hours of full sunlightto thrive. If you suspect that your lemon tree may not be receiving enoughlight, consider repositioning it near your brightest window. South-facingwindows are ideal.

Underwatering

Sometimes leaf droop can be a symptom of underwatering. Ifit’s been a little while since you’ve last watered your lemon tree, and if thesoil surrounding your lemon tree is dry when you stick your finger an inch ortwo deep into the soil, it probably time to give your lemon tree a deepwatering. If your lemon tree’s leaves perk up after watering, then there is noreason to be concerned about any other ailment.

Be sure to not overcorrect and water your lemon tree toofrequently, however, as this can also cause stress, and in extreme cases rootrot and ultimately death.

Overwatering

Leaf droop can also be an early sign of overwatering.

Plants need pockets of air within the soil in order tointake and metabolize nutrients properly. If you are overwatering your lemontree, where there would normally be tiny pockets of air interspersed throughoutthe dirt and root system, those spaces will remain waterlogged for a prolongedor indefinite amount of time. When a plant is being overwatered, the roots arenot getting the access to the air they need. The plant’s metabolism will beginto slow, causing the leaves to droop.

Overwatering is typically only a problem for potted lemontrees, where the soil and root systems are confined within the limits of acontainer. If your lemon tree is planted in the ground outdoors, it is very unlikelythat it is suffering from overwatering.

Good news is that leaf droop is usually an early sign of awaterlogged plant. If you take timely, corrective action, your lemon tree willrecover with ease. If the overwatering is not corrected, your lemon tree’sroots will begin to decay, a condition called root rot. Once root rot has onsetin a plant, it is unlikely that it will recover.

Make sure that you allow time between waterings for a combination of evaporation and plant water intake via the roots to occur. See this post for more information on how to figure out how frequently you should be watering your plant.

Also make sure that your lemon tree is potted in a vessel that allows for good drainage and is preferably made up of a material that is porous and breathable. See this post for tips on choosing the best pot for your lemon tree.

Nutrient Deficiency

If your lemon tree’s leaves are drooping and looking a littlesad, this may also be an early indicator that your tree is lacking importantnutrients. This is also a more likely problem for potted lemon trees than it isfor those planted in-ground. Keeping any plant potted means the plants rootshave access to only as much nutrients as the soil in the pot contains. Eventuallythe lemon tree will use up all the available nutrients if they are not being replenishedby regular fertilization.

If in addition to drooping, the leaves also display adifference in color, such as new growth that is significantly lighter green incomparison to older growth, or if the leaves are speckled with light green oreven yellow, it is very likely your lemon tree is struggling for nutrients andcould use a boost via fertilization.

Make sure to choose a fertilizer that is formulated specifically for citrus, and to only fertilize your lemon tree once every 4-6 weeks during active growth. See this post for more information on how, when, and what to use when fertilizing your lemon tree.

Related Questions:

  • How often should I water my potted lemon tree?
  • How to Fertilize a Lemon Tree
Leaf Droop on a Lemon Tree: What It Means & What to Do About It (2024)

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