When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. But wait—which lemon are you using?
Most of us grew up thinking a lemon is just a lemon: yellow, sour, and shaped like a football. But if you have only ever bought the standard “grocery store lemon,” you are missing out on a whole world of citrus flavors. Some lemons are sweet enough to eat like an apple. Others are pink on the inside. Some are as big as a melon!
As Shiny Aura, I believe that a lemon tree is the ultimate “double-duty” plant. It offers glossy evergreen foliage for your patio decor and delicious fruit for your kitchen. Whether you want to grow a tree in a container or bake the perfect lemon tart, knowing your varieties is the first step.
Here is a zesty guide to the 10 most popular types of lemons you can grow and eat.
In this article, we'll cover
1. Meyer Lemon
If there is a celebrity in the citrus world, it is the Meyer Lemon. Technically a hybrid between a lemon and a mandarin orange, it is smaller, rounder, and deeper yellow/orange than a standard lemon.
The Flavor: It is sweeter and less acidic than regular lemons, with a complex, floral fragrance. The skin is thin and edible.
Shiny’s Tip: This is the #1 choice for container gardening. It is naturally bushier and happier in pots than other varieties. Use it for desserts or vinaigrettes where you want aroma without the sharp bite.
2. Eureka Lemon
This is the classic “supermarket lemon.” If you close your eyes and picture a lemon, you are picturing a Eureka. It grows year-round and produces fruit abundantly.
The Flavor: Tart, acidic, and tangy. It has a thick, textured skin that is perfect for zesting.
Garden Note: The Eureka tree is thornless (mostly), making it easier to harvest. However, it is sensitive to cold, so bring it inside if frost threatens.
3. Lisbon Lemon
Often confused with the Eureka, the Lisbon Lemon is the other main commercial variety. The fruit looks almost identical, but the tree is different.
The Difference: Lisbon trees are vigorous growers, more tolerant of heat, cold, and wind than Eurekas. However, they are very thorny! They produce their main crop in the winter.
Best For: Cooking, cleaning, and classic lemonade.
4. Pink Variegated Lemon
For the aesthetic gardener, this is the Holy Grail. The Pink Variegated Eureka Lemon is stunning before you even cut it open. The skin is striped with green and creamy yellow when young, turning solid yellow when ripe.
The Surprise: Slice it open, and the flesh is light pink! It makes the most beautiful (and slightly floral) pink lemonade naturally.
Shiny’s Tip: The foliage is also variegated (green and white), making it a spectacular ornamental houseplant.
5. Ponderosa Lemon
Do you want to impress your neighbors? Grow a Ponderosa. This is a hybrid between a lemon and a citron, and the fruits are massive—often the size of a grapefruit or small melon (1 to 2 pounds each!).
The Flavor: Very acidic and filled with seeds. The skin is thick and bumpy.
Best For: Since one lemon yields a cup of juice, it is great for big batches of baking. The tree is also very thorny and grows slowly, staying small enough for patios.
6. Buddha’s Hand (Fingered Citron)
This is the weirdest lemon you will ever see. Buddha’s Hand looks like a cluster of long, yellow fingers or tentacles. It has no pulp and no juice—it is entirely made of rind and pith.
The Flavor: It is purely grown for its incredible floral fragrance and zest. It smells like lavender and lemon combined.
Shiny’s Tip: Use it as a natural air freshener in a bowl, or candy the peel for a fancy treat. It is a conversation starter in any home.
7. Verna Lemon
Popular in Spain, the Verna Lemon has a thick skin and few seeds. The fruit is large and elongated with a pronounced “nipple” at the end.
The Flavor: The juice is sweet and tender, but not as acidic as a Eureka. Because of the thick skin, it keeps well for a long time after picking.
8. Primofiore Lemon
This is the premium lemon of Italy (specifically Sicily). The name means “first flower” because it ripens early in the season.
The Flavor: It has a high juice content and very high acidity. This is the lemon you want for a sharp, crisp flavor in seafood dishes or authentic Italian Limoncello.
9. Sweet Lemon (Sweet Lime)
Often found in India and the Middle East, the Sweet Lemon (Citrus limetta) is exactly what it sounds like: a lemon with no acid. It tastes like sugary lemon water.
The Flavor: Mild and sweet. Some people find it bland because we expect the “sour kick,” but it is very refreshing as a juice drink.
10. Perrine Lemon
A cross between the Mexican Lime and the Genoa Lemon, the Perrine is a smaller, disease-resistant variety.
The Flavor: It is tart and juicy, similar to a lime but with the yellow coloring of a lemon. It is a tough tree that resists many common citrus diseases.
How to Choose Your Tree
Before you head to the nursery, ask yourself:
- Do I want to cook with it? Choose Eureka or Lisbon for that classic tartness.
- Do I want to make desserts? Choose Meyer for sweetness.
- Do I want decor? Choose Pink Variegated or Buddha’s Hand.
Growing your own lemons is a joy. The scent of the blossoms alone is worth the effort, perfumeing your entire patio with a sweet, jasmine-like fragrance. Pick your variety, pot it up, and get ready for the freshest zest of your life.