How long does Lemon last at room temperature?

Lemon lasts 1–2 weeks at room temperature.

How do you know if Lemon has gone bad?

Lemon has likely gone bad if you notice soft spots, mould, hardened dry skin; fermented or musty smell; squishy, hollow, or dried-out flesh. When in doubt, throw it out.

How Long Does Lemon Last?

Q: How long does Lemon last in the fridge?

Lemon lasts 3–5 weeks in the refrigerator. Store lemons in a sealed bag in the crisper to stop them drying out — this can keep them juicy for a month. Whole lemons last far longer than cut ones.

Lemon keeps 3–5 weeks in the refrigerator and 1–2 weeks in the pantry, according to cited USDA/FDA storage references.

2 cited USDA/FDA/FSIS sources
Editorial review · Verified June 2026

3–5 weeks

Safe range

1–2 weeks

Safe range

Only storage locations with source-backed entries are shown; a missing freezer or pantry card means FoodLasts does not have a supported value.
No after-opening tab appears unless the source data has a separate opened value.

Based on USDA/FSIS guidance:

Refrigerate perishable fruit promptly; cut fruit should not sit at room temperature more than 2 hours.

The cited storage data lists 3–5 weeks refrigerated for this food. Source

Discard lemons that are mouldy or mushy. A lemon that feels light and hard has dried out and will yield little juice.

How to tell if it's gone bad

Look:Soft spots, mould, hardened dry skin
Smell:Fermented or musty smell
Texture:Squishy, hollow, or dried-out flesh

When in doubt, throw it out. If Lemon smells, looks, or feels off — discard it. Food poisoning is not worth the risk.

How to store Lemon

Keep Lemon protected from heat, moisture, and contamination in the pantry. Use the pantry duration shown above for this food state.
Keep Lemon covered in the refrigerator. Use the refrigerator duration shown above for this food state.

Storage tips

Store lemons in a sealed bag in the crisper to stop them drying out — this can keep them juicy for a month. Whole lemons last far longer than cut ones.

Is it still good?

Enter when you bought or opened it and where it's stored.

Was this helpful?