This year’s ‘it’ Mediterranean garden plant isn’t what I expected – but it’s surprisingly easy to grow in the UK
It'll bag you fruit if you find the right spot for it
There’s a new Mediterranean garden star on the horizon, and it’s a surprising one for the UK: lemon trees.
They’re far easier to grow here than you’d think – I recently talked about citrus trees as one of the best Mediterranean plants for pots, and many lemon tree varieties do unexpectedly well in containers on a patio. According to TikTok Shop gardening business YouGarden, lemon tree sales have increased by 613% this year – which means they’re definitely becoming more mainstream in UK gardens.
Here's why you should consider growing a lemon tree in your garden, no matter its size.
What you'll need
YouGarden says you could be picking lemons from this potted tree within 12 months. It comes in a Mediterranean-style pot, too.
Or, invest in an extra-large lemon tree that's already over 160cm tall. It comes in a 30-litre container, so you'll need plenty of room for this one!
A lemon tree would look beautiful in one of these ribbed terracotta pots. They're ideal for a Mediterranean-style garden.
For TikTok Shop gardening business YouGarden, lemon trees have been a standout garden trend for 2026. The business has noticed a pattern of more and more gardeners embracing Mediterranean-inspired planting, and lemons are among the most popular choices.
‘We're seeing customers inspired by holidays abroad, Mediterranean planting and alfresco living, while warmer summers are giving people more confidence to try varieties that might once have felt a little ambitious for UK gardens,’ says Peter McDermott, founder of YouGarden.
‘In fact, this has been our strongest-ever year for citrus tree sales since launching in 2011, with lemon trees proving the standout favourite. We've seen lemon tree sales increase by 613% year-on-year on TikTok Shop, which suggests more people are looking to recreate that Mediterranean feel at home.’
They don’t have to be expensive, either. You can buy a Sicilian lemon tree from YouGarden for just £24.99.
Plus, lemon trees are much lower maintenance than I ever thought they were. You’ll just need to find the right spot for them.
‘A sunny, sheltered spot and regular water through summer are all a lemon tree asks for,’ Says Jo Lambell, founder of Beards & Daisies. ‘Bring it inside over winter, and it'll keep going year after year. The fruit is genuinely excellent in a gin and tonic, by the way.'
So, if you’re looking for fruits to grow in pots and want to nail the Mediterranean garden look, lemon trees are the ideal candidates.
Better yet? Plant one up in a terracotta pot, like these whitewashed classic Italian terracotta pots from Crocus. They come in a range of sizes, so make sure you check the measurements of your lemon tree before you buy one.
‘Container-grown citrus trees, figs and bay trees are brilliant for adding fragrance, texture and a real Mediterranean atmosphere,’ adds Peter from YouGarden. ‘They work particularly well on terraces and patios where people can enjoy them up close.’
Lemon trees are a staple Mediterranean garden idea now, so they're definitely worth adding to your list if you want to feel like you're on holiday at home.
