Growing Citrus from Seed: What to Expect from Dwarf Lemon and Lime

Seeds from 20-year-old dwarf citrus may germinate and grow, but fruit quality is unpredictable. Most commercial citrus are grafted hybrids; seedlings revert to variable, often inferior traits.

Key Considerations

• Genetic variability: Seedlings don’t come true to type. Fruit may be seedy, sour, or slow to bear (7–10+ years).
• Hybrid sterility: Some crosses (e.g., grapefruit × tangerine) produce non-viable seeds.
• Rootstock influence: Your trees are likely grafted; seedling roots won’t have dwarfing effect.

Why Try It Anyway?

It’s fun, educational, and the flowers are wonderfully fragrant. Some seedlings do produce decent fruit—just don’t count on it.

Better Alternative

For reliable fruit, buy a grafted tree of a known variety on dwarfing rootstock.