Lime - Key Lime Tree
Sale
Original price
$99.00
Original price
$99.00
-
Original price
$225.00
Original price
$99.00
Current price
$59.00
$59.00
-
$225.00
Current price
$59.00
The Key Lime tree (Citrus aurantiifolia), also known as the Mexican Lime or West Indian Lime, is a compact citrus variety celebrated for its intensely tart, aromatic fruit. Popular for culinary uses like pies and beverages, this evergreen tree is well-suited for warm climates and container gardening. Below is a detailed guide to its characteristics and care requirements.Taste
Key Limes are renowned for their sharp, tangy flavor with a distinctive zesty and slightly floral note. The small, round fruits have thin, smooth, greenish-yellow skin and juicy, pale yellow flesh packed with seeds. Their bold acidity and aromatic quality make them a favorite for desserts, cocktails, and savory dishes, offering a more intense tartness than Persian limes.Best Growing Environment
Key Lime trees thrive in hot, tropical to subtropical climates with well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5 to 6.5). They prefer high humidity and warm temperatures, ideally between 70°F and 90°F (21°C to 32°C). While adaptable to sandy or loamy soils, excellent drainage is crucial to prevent root rot. These trees benefit from a sheltered location to protect against strong winds, which can damage their delicate branches or fruit.Common Names
Key Lime trees are known by several names, reflecting their cultural and regional significance:
Key Lime trees typically grow to 6 to 12 feet tall with a spread of 6 to 8 feet when planted in the ground. Dwarf varieties, often grown in containers, reach 4 to 6 feet in height. Their naturally compact size and bushy growth make them ideal for small gardens, patios, or indoor cultivation with proper care.Growth Rate
Key Lime trees have a moderate growth rate, adding approximately 1 to 1.5 feet per year under optimal conditions. They establish quickly and can produce fruit within 1 to 3 years of planting, with consistent yields by 4 to 5 years. Adequate sunlight, water, and fertilization promote faster growth and fruiting.Sun Requirements
Key Lime trees require full sun, needing at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily to support healthy growth and maximize fruit production. Insufficient sunlight can lead to reduced flowering, smaller fruit yields, or leggy growth. A south-facing, unshaded location is ideal for optimal performance.Cold Hardiness
Key Lime trees are among the least cold-hardy citrus varieties, thriving in USDA Zones 9b to 11. They can tolerate brief dips to 28°F to 30°F (-2°C to -1°C) but are highly susceptible to frost damage, especially when young. In cooler regions like Zone 9, they require winter protection (e.g., frost blankets or indoor relocation for potted trees) to survive cold snaps.Water Requirements
Key Lime trees have moderate water needs. Young trees should be watered 2 to 3 times per week, providing 1 to 2 inches of water to establish roots. Mature trees need deep watering once or twice weekly during the growing season (spring and summer) and every 10 to 14 days in fall and winter, depending on rainfall. Ensure soil dries slightly between waterings to avoid root rot, particularly in containers or heavy soils.Planting Guide
To plant a Key Lime tree:
Fertilize Key Lime trees to encourage vigorous growth and fruiting:
Key Limes are renowned for their sharp, tangy flavor with a distinctive zesty and slightly floral note. The small, round fruits have thin, smooth, greenish-yellow skin and juicy, pale yellow flesh packed with seeds. Their bold acidity and aromatic quality make them a favorite for desserts, cocktails, and savory dishes, offering a more intense tartness than Persian limes.Best Growing Environment
Key Lime trees thrive in hot, tropical to subtropical climates with well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5 to 6.5). They prefer high humidity and warm temperatures, ideally between 70°F and 90°F (21°C to 32°C). While adaptable to sandy or loamy soils, excellent drainage is crucial to prevent root rot. These trees benefit from a sheltered location to protect against strong winds, which can damage their delicate branches or fruit.Common Names
Key Lime trees are known by several names, reflecting their cultural and regional significance:
- Mexican Lime
- West Indian Lime
- Bartender’s Lime
- Florida Key Lime
- Bilolo Lime
Key Lime trees typically grow to 6 to 12 feet tall with a spread of 6 to 8 feet when planted in the ground. Dwarf varieties, often grown in containers, reach 4 to 6 feet in height. Their naturally compact size and bushy growth make them ideal for small gardens, patios, or indoor cultivation with proper care.Growth Rate
Key Lime trees have a moderate growth rate, adding approximately 1 to 1.5 feet per year under optimal conditions. They establish quickly and can produce fruit within 1 to 3 years of planting, with consistent yields by 4 to 5 years. Adequate sunlight, water, and fertilization promote faster growth and fruiting.Sun Requirements
Key Lime trees require full sun, needing at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily to support healthy growth and maximize fruit production. Insufficient sunlight can lead to reduced flowering, smaller fruit yields, or leggy growth. A south-facing, unshaded location is ideal for optimal performance.Cold Hardiness
Key Lime trees are among the least cold-hardy citrus varieties, thriving in USDA Zones 9b to 11. They can tolerate brief dips to 28°F to 30°F (-2°C to -1°C) but are highly susceptible to frost damage, especially when young. In cooler regions like Zone 9, they require winter protection (e.g., frost blankets or indoor relocation for potted trees) to survive cold snaps.Water Requirements
Key Lime trees have moderate water needs. Young trees should be watered 2 to 3 times per week, providing 1 to 2 inches of water to establish roots. Mature trees need deep watering once or twice weekly during the growing season (spring and summer) and every 10 to 14 days in fall and winter, depending on rainfall. Ensure soil dries slightly between waterings to avoid root rot, particularly in containers or heavy soils.Planting Guide
To plant a Key Lime tree:
- Select a sunny, well-drained site, at least 15 feet from structures or other trees.
- Dig a hole twice as wide and as deep as the root ball.
- Amend soil with compost or aged manure to improve drainage and fertility.
- Place the tree in the hole, ensuring the bud union (graft) is 2 to 4 inches above the soil line.
- Backfill with soil, tamp gently, and water deeply.
- Apply 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch (e.g., bark or wood chips), keeping it 6 inches from the trunk to prevent rot.
- For containers, use a pot at least 15 gallons with drainage holes and a well-draining, citrus-specific potting mix.
Fertilize Key Lime trees to encourage vigorous growth and fruiting:
- Early Spring (February/March): Apply a citrus-specific fertilizer (e.g., 6-6-6 or 8-8-8 NPK) as new growth emerges. Use 1 to 2 cups for young trees or 3 to 4 cups for mature trees, spread around the drip line and watered in thoroughly.
- Early Summer (May/June): Apply a second dose of the same fertilizer to support fruit development, using half the spring amount to prevent over-fertilization.
- Late Summer (August): Apply a light dose of a potassium-rich fertilizer (e.g., 5-5-10) to enhance fruit quality and prepare the tree for dormancy.
- Container Trees: Fertilize every 6 to 8 weeks during the growing season with a liquid citrus fertilizer (e.g., 5-1-3), diluted per package instructions. Avoid fertilizing in late fall or winter to prevent frost-sensitive growth.