Lime Tree Care: Ultimate Growing Guide & Expert Tips

Lime Tree Care: Everything You Need To Know

A member of the Rutaceaea family, the lime plant is a smaller, 20-foot (5 m) tall and across citrus tree grown for its tangy, seedless fruit. The resulting limes are used in a variety of cuisines for their punchy tart yet fresh flavor and aroma.

I've always wanted to grow a lime tree, (margarita anyone?) but my USDA zone is too chilly and I lack container space for such a tree, but that doesn't mean you can't be the proud owner of a lime tree. Good lime tree care will result in one of our favorite fruits.

Quick Facts:

Botanical name: Citrus latifolia

Height: 20 ft., 5 m

Spread: 20 ft., 5 m

Sun exposure: full sun

Soil requirements: sandy, loamy, well-draining

Hardiness zones: USDA 9-11

When to plant: spring or fall

Lime Tree Care

Citrus can be finicky but if you provide your lime with the proper elements of light, water, temperature, humidity, and soil, you too may be singing Margaritaville.

• Light Limes thrive in the subtropical to tropical regions of the world, specifically in USDA zones 9-11 in the U.S. They prefer full sun and are intolerant of shade conditions.
• Water Like other citrus, lime trees dislike having their “feet” or roots wet, however, they do prefer consistently moist soil. In most soils, mature trees should be watered slowly yet deeply about every couple of weeks
• Newly planted trees need to be watered every other day for the first week. Thereafter, it is sufficient to irrigate them 1-2 times a week for their first couple of months. As the tree establishes, reduce watering to once a week unless there is an extended period of drought in which case water twice a week During the rainy season, quit or reduce irrigation
• Temperature & Humidity Limes should be planted in the warmest area of the landscape or home. Keep potted limes away from drafts in the home. They prefer temperatures of about 55-85 F (13-30 C). They can tolerate short periods of temps to 32 F (0 C), but if you live in an area that routinely expects chilly temperatures, grow your lime tree in a pot and bring it inside or into another protected area.
• Like other citrus, limes like humidity above 50%. Indoor-grown limes can benefit from a humidifier nearby or can be placed on a saucer filled with pebbles. Spritzing the plant with water can also help raise the humidity level.
• Soil Lime trees are remarkably adaptable with regard to their soil, but it should always be well-draining. They do seem to prefer sandy/loam as well.
• Fertilizer Lime trees will thrive with supplemental fertilizer. They do tend to be deficient in iron, zinc, and manganese.
• First-year trees should be fed with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of nitrogen-rich fertilizer from May to August. Double this amount from years 2-5.
• When the tree is mature at 5 years of age, the tree will likely need 1 ⁄ 2-1 pounds (115-225 g) of citrus fertilizer per year. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and take care not to over-fertilize which can cause other issues.
• Problems, Pests & Diseases Limes are susceptible to a number of sucking and other small insects such as aphids, scale, leaf miners, a variety of mites, and the Asian citrus psyllid.
• Some people may be prone to skin irritation, and contact dermatitis from lime trees.
• Overwatering may result in a variety of fungal diseases as well as citrus canker, citrus greening, scab, greasy spot, Melanose, and Tristeza.
• Lime trees may also be prone to lime blotch disease, a genetic disorder, and other physiological disorders such as oil spotting and Stylar-end rot.
• Injury to the tree is also a common problem due to damage caused by line trimmers and lawnmowers.

How to Grow a Lime Tree From Seed

Generally, lime trees are propagated from grafting or layering. That doesn't mean you can't grow a lime from seed, you just need to be very patient. It can take 4-10 years before any fruit production; if any.

There are a couple of ways to germinate the seed but first, you need to remove the pulp from the seed, wash it, and allow it to dry for a few days. Then either plant it in a plastic bag of moist soil, allow the seed to sprout on damp paper towels, or plant the seed directly into a pot of moist soil.

Keep consistently moist, not sodden. Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag that will act as a mini greenhouse, keeping moisture in and cold air out. Place in full sun in a warm area. Cross your fingers, and hopefully, you will have germination in a couple of weeks.

Pruning

During the first few years, only prune limes to remove suckers or dead or diseased branches.

Mature plants over 5 years of age can be pruned to open the plant to light and retard size. Plan on pruning in March, up to late summer.

Remove any crossed, dead, or crowded limbs from the center of the lime tree. Prune any branches that touch the ground and any needed to retard the size of the tree.

Propagation

As mentioned, lime trees are propagated through air budding, layering, or grafting.

Generally, you will be purchasing disease-free trees from a nursery. The nursery or its purveyor will air layer or select the rootstock for your tree.

Air layering, also called marcottage, encourages root formation on small to medium branches as a method of propagation. Trees propagated through this method are slightly more tolerant of wet soil than grafted or budded lime trees but more prone to wind damage.

There are several rootstock recommendations that can be grown in high-pH soil. Contact your state's Department of Agriculture for recommendations.

Growing Lime Trees in Pots

Lime trees do very well as container plants. Growing them in containers is also the perfect solution for those of us who don't reside in USDA zones 9-11. Our citrus can be brought inside when temps dip and then back outside when spring warms things up.

You may want to stick to growing a key lime if size is an issue however – 2 feet (61 cm) versus 20 potential feet (5 m).

Use a slow-release fertilizer or liquid, once or twice per month. Be sure to water; plants in pots dry out more quickly than those grown in the garden. Only allow the top couple of inches to dry between waterings. Mulch to retain moisture and keep the roots cool.

In the winter, move potted lime trees to a south-facing interior window or other bright room. Keep it at a normal household temperature and away from drafts or heating vents. Provide your potted lime with supplemental humidity as discussed above.

Repotting

Usually, you can grow a new lime tree in an 8-inch (20 cm) diameter container but eventually, the tree will outgrow the pot and the soil will become depleted of nutrients. So it's a good idea to size up and repot your citrus. Plan on repotting every two years or so.

Citrus does like to be a little root bound so don't upsize too much. Replace the old soil with fresh, well-draining, fertile potting soil. Make sure your pot has sufficient drainage holes.

Overwintering

Overwintering is no problem with lime trees grown in containers. Simply move them into a sunny room of your home, provide some humidity, and keep the tree away from temperature fluxes from heat or draft.

When temperatures approach 40 F (4 C), spray the tree down with an insecticidal soap to prevent insect hitchhikers. Move it indoors with conditions as above. Don't panic if the lime loses some leaves. All citrus is picky about being moved and the dropped leaves are a sign of its displeasure, but a sign that isn't serious.

How to Harvest Limes

Young lime trees produce few if any fruit. It isn't until they are around 5 or so that their fruit production ramps up.

Allow the fruit to ripen on the tree. Color is not a good indicator of ripeness so pick an occasion lime when it seems to be of good size and taste it. Some limes actually turn yellow when fully ripe but their flavor becomes bitter, while still others turn orange and are delightful.

Ready fruit should be green, firm yet give a bit when gently squeezed, and smell limey.

Lime Tree Varieties

There are a number of lime varieties from thornless to semi-dwarf to orange-hued limes. Options include Giant Key, Makrut Thai semi-dwarf, Mexican Key lime, Mexican thornless, Milkweed acidless semi-dwarf, Palestine sweet, Rangpur semi-dwarf (looks like an orange!), and Tahitian/Persian semi-dwarf. Or for something really outta this world, check out the Australian Finger lime, a semi-dwarf tree with fruit that looks like it's filled with pearlescent caviar

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How Do You Keep a Lime Tree Healthy?

Lime trees should be in full sun. Keep the soil consistently moist, not wet, and fertilize during the growing season. Keep an eye out for any pests or diseases and take proactive steps to repair if discovered. Provide supplemental humidity for indoor potted trees and keep them away from drafts or heat vents.

How Long Does It Take for a Lime Tree to Bear Fruit?

Young, 2-4, year-old lime trees may produce the occasional fruit but won't really produce until around age 5 or so.