Variegated pink lemons have a one-of-a-kind look and taste. They're great for adding ornamental interest and appeal to your garden, patio or backyard. Learn how to care for pink lemon trees below.
They say that when life gives you lemons, make lemonade... but what about pink lemons? Are they even real? Well yes, actually - pink lemons are a real thing and really cool citrus at that.
While variegated pink lemon trees don't actually produce the pink lemonade their name suggests, these citrus fruits are awesome to grow and cook with. So, how do you care for these quirky trees? Let us fill you in.
What They Look Like
With their stripy green rind, pink lemons are what you might get if a lemon and a zucchini had a lovechild. As the fruit matures it'll turn yellow, but still retains those cool stripes. Squeeze one of these babies and you get a clear juice.
The inside of the fruit is a beautiful pink and looks like a mini pink grapefruit. While in bloom, the pink lemon tree also produces delicate white flowers. Gorgeous and practical at the same time - they're our kind of tree!
Come Taste a Pink Lemon
So, what does a pink lemon taste like? Well, while the juice of pink lemons doesn't automatically produce the iconic pink lemonade, it tastes pretty awesome.
The juice of a pink lemon is slightly less tart than a regular lemon and is great for baking, adding to sauces, and yes - it makes pretty great pink lemonade, too!
Planting Pink Lemon Trees
Now that you know more about these elusive fruits, you might want to grow them yourself. Variegated lemon trees love plenty of sunshine, and this variety is no different.
In warmer states, plant them outside in full sun, as they need up to 8 hours of sunshine a day. In colder states though, keep them potted on the balcony and bring them in during the winter months - these evergreen bloomers hate frost.
Feeding Pink Lemon Trees
Pink lemon trees are a favorite with growers because they're super resilient. We think of these trees like a beloved puppy - feed them, water them, and they're happy. They're hardy, resistant to drought-like conditions, and to pests, too.
Plant these trees in soil that's between pH 6.0-8.0. A newly-planted pink lemon tree is extremely thirsty, so give it a good drink of water as soon as it's in the soil. You'll also want to feed it a citrus-specific fertilizer before the spring to aid new growth.
Caring For Pink Lemon Trees
If you're growing a pink lemon tree in a container, punch some drainage holes in the bottom for the water to drain away.
In the first growing season, you'll want to water the tree every few days to set up a strong root system. After that, every 10 days will be enough, though it'll need more on very hot days.
Grow Your Own Variegated Pink Lemon Tree
With their blush pink flesh and funky striped rind, pink lemons are a thing of beauty and good taste. So, when life throws you pink lemons, make pink lemonade! Or pink lemon bars, pink lemon curd, pink lemon chicken... the list is endless.
Decide where to plant your pink lemon trees, feed them and water them, and you'll soon get a well-established bloomer that's easy to care for.
Growing Trees is fun, and every tree we send comes with a 20-page care guide
Good Morning,
I bought a beautiful little Pink Lemonade Lemon tree last summer and I planted in a big pot. It was doing WONDERFULLY, full lush leaves, lots of little flowers, tiny lemons that were making their way to adulthood; but then we had a very rare snow event, and most everything died off. I even covered it during the day and brought it in at night in hopes of saving it. This past spring, new leaves appeared, but only at the ends of the branches. I’ve placed in an area on my patio that gets great morning sun, but shade from the intense heat of the Las Vegas afternoon sun. I fertilized it per instructions and water it deeply (the pot has holes drilled into the bottom for drainage). Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can expect this little beauty to do in the future, or will it always look a Charlie Brown tree? Thank you in advance.
By the way, I have two other citrus trees that I planted in the ground last year and they are fruit-bearing and super healthy.
Kari on
we bought a pink lemon aid tree last year. So this is its second summer. The leaves are solid green. Not variegated with white spots. It has thorns. It is over 8 feet tall now. Hasn’t had any blooms so no fruit. We live in Ocala, Florida. When should we expect blooms?
Lee Howell on
Fruit will not get more than half inch. Before dying, have fed citrus plan food and water every 2 to 3 days.
Vincent Ciernick on