Climate, Soil and Cultivation Habits
Lemon trees need well-drained soil because they are extremely susceptible to root rot. They prefer climates where the temperature does not fall below freezing, but they can live in colder climates though they may not fruit or flower. Temperatures below 20 degrees F will kill them. Lemon trees like acidic soils with pH of 5.5 to 6.5. You can add lime to adjust the pH without hurting the tree, although they do not generally respond well to peat or fertilizers, other than a little ammonium sulfate, until after they have reached one year of age.