Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Citrus x aurantiifolia (Lime)
Comment on a listing
Plant supplier links
- Login to upload a photo
2 hours care
per year
per year
5m
Max height
Max height
3m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Citrus x aurantiifolia
Other names
Lime, Mexican lime, Adam's apple, Key lime
Genus
Citrus Citrus
Species
C. x aurantiifolia - C. x aurantiifolia is a tender, thorny, upright to rounded, evergreen shrub or small tree ovate, glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant, white flowers in spring or summer followed by spherical green or yellow-green, edible fruit with sour, segmented flesh.
Citrus x aurantiifolia is: Evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers fragrant in spring and lemons have a citrus scent.
Habit
Rounded, Upright
Flower
White in Spring; White in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Caterpillars , Fruit tree red spider mite , Glasshouse red spider mite , Mealybugs , Scale insects Aphids , Caterpillars , Fruit tree red spider mite , Glasshouse red spider mite , Mealybugs , Scale insects
General care
Pruning
Thin fruit as required. Pruning group 1. Mature height is dependent upon rootstock. If espaliered, prune to shape in winter.
Propagation
Seedlings may not come true type. Sow seed at 16C in spring. Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Citrus x aurantiifolia (Lime) will reach a height of 5m and a spread of 3m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Cake decoration, City, Conservatory, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Indoor, Mediterranean
Cultivation
In frost-free areas, grow outdoors in full sun in well-drained, neutral to slightly acid soil. Self-fertile. Moderately drought tolerant but regular water is necessary for good fruit production. Will tolerate partial shade but fruit yields will decline. Rootstock will determine mature height. Choose a tree with a rootstock adapted to the type of soil available. Under glass or indoors, grow in loam-based compost in full light at 3C or higher. Feed every 2-3 weeks.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Citrus x aurantiifolia
Other names
Lime, Mexican lime, Adam's apple, Key lime
Genus
Citrus Citrus
Species
C. x aurantiifolia - C. x aurantiifolia is a tender, thorny, upright to rounded, evergreen shrub or small tree ovate, glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant, white flowers in spring or summer followed by spherical green or yellow-green, edible fruit with sour, segmented flesh.
Native to
Garden origin
Foliage
Evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers fragrant in spring and lemons have a citrus scent.
Habit
Rounded, Upright
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
White in Spring; White in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Aphids , Caterpillars , Fruit tree red spider mite , Glasshouse red spider mite , Mealybugs , Scale insects
General care
Pruning
Thin fruit as required. Pruning group 1. Mature height is dependent upon rootstock. If espaliered, prune to shape in winter.
Propagation
Seedlings may not come true type. Sow seed at 16C in spring. Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Citrus x aurantiifolia (Lime) will reach a height of 5m and a spread of 3m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Architectural, Cake decoration, City, Conservatory, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Indoor, Mediterranean
Cultivation
In frost-free areas, grow outdoors in full sun in well-drained, neutral to slightly acid soil. Self-fertile. Moderately drought tolerant but regular water is necessary for good fruit production. Will tolerate partial shade but fruit yields will decline. Rootstock will determine mature height. Choose a tree with a rootstock adapted to the type of soil available. Under glass or indoors, grow in loam-based compost in full light at 3C or higher. Feed every 2-3 weeks.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login