Plant profile
Lime
Citrus × latifolia
Also known as Tahitian lime, Persian lime.
Lime trees like warmth, full sun, good drainage and regular feeding. They can crop for a long part of the year in warm Australian climates.
- Grows well in
- Tropical, Subtropical, Temperate, Arid / inland, Mediterranean
- Lifecycle
- Evergreen perennial fruit tree
- Light
- Full sun
- Mature size
- Tahitian limes usually grow into a small tree around 3–5 m tall and wide if left unpruned; dwarf forms stay much smaller.
- Spacing
- Allow roughly 3–4 m between ordinary backyard trees, or less for dwarf trees that will be kept compact.
- Growth habit
- Evergreen citrus tree with a dense, rounded canopy and shallow spreading roots.
- Native range
- An artificial citrus hybrid with no wild native range of its own
- Natural habitat
- Tahiti lime is a cultivated hybrid rather than a wild species, so it does not have one natural habitat.
When to plant
Plant during warm, mild weather when the tree can establish without frost or severe heat. In tropical and subtropical gardens, planting is possible through much of the year if the young tree can be watered reliably.
Planting
Plant a grafted lime in spring or autumn in a warm, sunny, well-drained position. Keep the graft (if present) above soil level. In cooler districts choose a sheltered spot away from frost.
Position and light
Full sun is best, with shelter from cold wind and frost. Limes need more warmth than lemons.
Soil
Fertile, well-drained soil is best. Improve drainage before planting if water sits after rain. Mulch over the root zone and keep mulch clear of the trunk.
Watering
Water young trees regularly while they establish. Established trees need deep water during dry weather and while fruit is developing. Avoid keeping the root zone constantly wet.
Feeding
Feed with a complete citrus fertiliser several times through active growth, following the label rate for the tree size.
Pruning
Prune lightly to remove dead, damaged, crossing or low branches and shoots below the graft. Thin crowded growth if airflow is poor. Large renovation cuts are only needed on overgrown trees.
Harvest
Harvest when fruit has reached full size and the skin starts to lighten for the variety. Limes are often picked green for their sharper flavour.
Propagation
Named varieties are usually grafted. Seedlings are variable and can take much longer to fruit.
Common problems
Watch for citrus leaf miner, scale, aphids, nutrient deficiencies, gall wasp where present and root problems in poorly drained soil.
Safety notes
Thorns, sap and peel oils can irritate sensitive skin.
Worth knowing
Tahitian lime is popular because it is virtually seedless and much less thorny than West Indian lime. Established trees can carry a heavy crop, so keeping the canopy open and manageable makes harvesting much easier.
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How it grows around Australia
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