Lemon is a small tree in the Rutaceae family. Its scientific name is Citrus limon. Lemon is multifunctional and appreciated worldwide in cooking and other applications. Often pronounced for its sour taste, lemon has edible and cleaning purposes.

While the lemon tree, evident from its delicious flavor and aroma, is not believed to bring auspiciousness to the house according to the principles of Vastu, people love to have it to enjoy the freshness and positivity around the house.

Throughout the blog, we’ll discuss the importance of lemon plants in Vastu Shastra, their benefits and uses, and how they are propagated and cared for.

Vastu experts firmly discourage planting lemon trees in residential spaces. As defined by the Vastu Shastra's ancient principles, citrus fruits such as lemons are thought to embody a sour quality, and lemons in this category are regarded as the same.

Lemons, with their tart and acidic character, symbolise sourness due to negative energy and disharmony in the household. As a result, there is a strong case for not planting lemon trees in your home environment, as they can create difficulties with the natural flow of energy and may lead to conflict within the space.

As per Vastu Shastra, scholars differ in their views on keeping grapes and lemons inside homes. For others, lemons represent souring relations, signifying trouble, tension, and disharmony, and thus, such trees are doomed to stink.

The sour taste of lemons is believed to evoke paradigms that widen the gap between family members and result in the annulment of relationships. Accordingly, while some deem lemon trees unlucky and sinister, guarding off negative vibes, others find them pearls of good luck.

Not only in terms of the symbolic visual of sourness but according to many Vastu experts, keeping lemon trees at home also leads to the complicated position of the planets, which adversely affects the family's horoscope and results in unfavorable financial and family life.

Vastu advisors usually recommend against growing lemons inside the home, but one can consider cultivating them in the garden part. But even in a garden, avoid planting a lemon tree in a southwestern position because they are said to be a source of bad luck.

Per Vastu principles, the north direction is healthy for planting lemon trees. Nevertheless, the lemon tree gains something positive from being placed in this zone with much money, success, and giving back. Consequently, it is recommended that you grow lemon plants in pots on doorsteps, halls, yards, balconies, or even inside your bedroom.

According to Vastu Shastra, which incorporates both practical and intangible uses, the placement of lemon trees in home establishments should be carefully considered to maintain a supremely tranquil and virtuous living environment.

Lemons provide a vast array of health benefits due to their nutritional components. Here's a concise summary:

• Vitamin C Powerhouse: Lemon is an excellent natural, wholesome food; one fruit has more than 50% of the daily vitamin C requirement for an average person. This mineral, a powerful antioxidant, not only facilitates the workings of the immune system but also aids in producing collagen for healthy skin and improves iron absorption from plant-based foods.
• Weight Management: Consumption of pectin from a lemon can produce the sensation of being full, which might be helpful for weight management. Although lemon water doesn't solve the weight loss problem, this liquid contributes to a happy life and a healthy body.
• Anemia Prevention: Lemons' citric acid content, which promotes iron uptake from food sources of plant origin, is a preventative measure against iron deficiency anemia, a condition characterised by low red blood cell count.
• Removal of Kidney Stone: The plentiful amount of citric acid in lemons may inhibit the formation of kidney stones; hence, it will be convenient to prevent their development.
• Brightens Complexion: Lemons are rich in vitamin C, folic acid, vitamin B, and mineral compounds that effectively ease acne, oily skin, blackheads, and dandruff. Similarly, lemons are an antioxidant-rich addition that scavenges free radicals that cause skin aging and oxidative damage to skin cells.
• Antibacterial Properties: Lemon juice has antiseptic and antifungal features, and it has been proven to be a solution that impedes the development of harmful bacteria such as salmonella, staphylococcus, candida, and even some antibiotic-resistant ones.
• Boosts Immunity: Rich in vitamin C and therapeutic citrus flavonoids, lemons might help maintain your immune system and fight infections.
  

If you prefer to cultivate your lemon tree from scratch rather than purchasing a nursery-grown plant, follow these steps to grow a lemon tree from seed:

• Seed Selection: Select a healthy lemon and remove the seeds. Rinse the lemon to remove any pulp or juice remnants without damaging the coat.
  
• Viability Test: Soak the seeds in a bowl with fresh water. Discard all the float seeds and select only the ones that sink since they can be planted.
  
• Planting: Put seeds half an inch into a potting mix with good drainage that fits well in a container. Water thoroughly until the remaining water is drained from the bottom after the soil is saturated. Place the container in a warm, sunlit spot on a windowsill facing south or west or under grow lights.
  
• Germination: Water the soil regularly, being careful not to overwater. After a few weeks, the sprouts can be observed emerging from the soil.
  
• Thinning and Transplanting: When the seedlings appear, pull out the weakest ones at the soil level and keep only the most potent plant. Ensure that the seedling has enough water, and once it is outgrown, transplant it into a bigger container.
  

Lemon trees bloom in subtropical and humid areas, particularly in temperatures between 75 and 85°F (24-29°C) and humidity that is about 50%. They can withstand temperatures below 100°F (38°C), but their fragile flowers and ripe fruits have low tolerance to cool temperatures.

Lemon trees are more commonly found in warm areas, as their flowers shiver, shed, and fall below -1.7°C (1.2°F), and the mature fruits start to suffer below -2°C (4°F). Young lemon trees should be covered any time extreme weather occurs and brought indoors in case of unexpected cold snaps.

Here are some essential care tips for maintaining healthy indoor lemon plants:

1. Soil Requirements

Lemon trees flourish in well-drained, moderately textured, and acidic soil. Be sure to prepare the soil carefully before transplanting outdoors or select suitable potting mixes for indoor growing. Regular drainage is necessary because standing water can easily result in root decay, which is more prevalent in houseplants.

2. Sunlight Exposure

Lemon trees need plenty of sunshine, with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Before placing the plants outdoors, pick a sunny location safe from strong winds. Plants to be kept indoors should be placed where they can receive direct sunlight from the south. If there is insufficient natural light, the missing light should be compensated for by using grow lights.

3. Watering Needs

Watering is a key factor in making lemon trees to be healthy. The trees should be watered twice weekly, with reduced frequency over time. In the absence of rain or during the hot months, water plants frequently. Keep the soil from water logging as it will hamper growth by avoiding excessive watering.

4. Fertilisation

To ensure the health and large harvests of lemon trees, apply a balanced and complete fertiliser with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Apply the recommended application rates corresponding to the plant's developing stage and according to the environmental requirements.

Here are some of the versatile uses of the lemon plant:

• Culinary: Lemons are an all-purpose ingredient in the culinary & bakery process used in lemonades, pies, dressings, curries, stews, and more just because of their tart flavor.
  
• Pest Control: Lemon juice's citric acid acts as a natural repellent, which can be applied to window sills and door entrances.
  
• Beauty: Lemon's astringent properties make it a great ingredient in home remedies for face masks, bleaching, and shining hair and nails.
  
• Cleaning: Lemon juice is the perfect scrubber. It is acidic and helps remove stains and odours from garbage disposals.

Here are some dos and don'ts for lemon plants, according to Vastu Shastra:

Do’s for Lemon Plant as per Vastu

• Provide adequate irrigation to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
  
• Offer sufficient light, at least 6-8 hours per day.
  
• Use a well-balanced citrus fertiliser for the growing months.
  
• Pruning them on this proper schedule allows for shape maintenance and air circulation.
  
• Move indoor lemon plants to warmer places with temperatures below 10°C.
  

Don’ts for Lemon Plant as per Vastu

• Do not overwater, as this can lead to root rot and, subsequently, the death of the plant.
  
• Wait to fertilise until the light level increases in May or June.
  
• To guarantee adequate growing conditions, temperatures must not dip below 10°C. This can affect the plant's productivity.
  
• Keep the soil dry out fully before the next watering.
  
• Only plant lemon trees in soils with good drainage or low-lying areas.
  

Although lemon trees offer many culinary, medicinal, and practical benefits, we must consult Vastu Shastra before planting them in our homes.

Implementing the Vastu guidelines for planting lemon trees in favorable locations and avoiding inappropriate locations allows one to reside and cultivate lemon trees while maintaining a favorable environment. With mindful cultivation, it is possible to keep the lemon tree lush and clean while serving as a useful option in the home or garden.