How to grow Lime Tree
Updated October 2026
Limes are the most frost-tender of the common citrus, so in the US they grow outdoors only in nearly frost-free places such as South and Central Florida, the Texas Rio Grande Valley, coastal Southern California, the low desert and Hawaii. Elsewhere they make good container trees, and in quarantine areas trees must come from a licensed local nursery.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Lime Tree
Where to plant
Plant limes in full sun in the warmest, most sheltered part of the garden, in well-drained soil that never stays wet. Keep them at least 15 feet from other trees and away from septic tanks and drain fields.
Frost is the limiting factor. Key lime in particular is cold sensitive. Plan to cover young trees on any frost night, and in the desert also shade the trunk from summer sun.
- South Florida and Hawaii: the best places for limes; plant in the cooler, drier months.
- Central Florida: frost tender, so skip midwinter planting. Plant in late winter to spring or early fall in the warmest spot.
- Southern California: 'Bearss' lime suits frost-free coastal and inland gardens. Plant in spring or fall.
- The Desert Southwest: plant in spring once frost is past, cover young trees on frost nights and shade the trunk in summer.
- Texas: outdoors only in the Rio Grande Valley.
- North Florida, the Gulf South and colder regions: grow a dwarf lime in a container and bring it inside for winter.
Choosing a variety
| Variety | Notes |
|---|---|
| Tahiti or Persian lime | The common seedless grocery lime; 'Bearss' is a Tahiti type. Main crop June to September in Florida; prone to postbloom fruit drop |
| Key lime (West Indian or Mexican) | Small, very aromatic, seedy fruit through much of the year; the most cold sensitive and prone to scab and anthracnose |
| Limequat | A lime and kumquat hybrid for landscape use; prone to scab |
UF/IFAS notes that both Tahiti and Key limes make satisfactory home acid fruit because fruit can be picked at almost any time of year. Buy a certified tree from a licensed nursery in your own state.
How to plant
- Plant a container-grown tree at the same soil level as in its pot, loosening some potting mix from the outside of the root ball.
- Make a watering basin that holds 5 to 10 gallons and fill it twice a week for the first month, then water when new growth wilts in the afternoon.
- Keep grass, weeds and mulch away from the trunk to prevent foot rot.
Watering and feeding
Water young trees often while they establish and established trees deeply during dry spells, especially while fruit is forming. Never let the roots sit in soggy ground.
In Florida, feed with a balanced citrus fertilizer with micronutrients from February to October, little and often for young trees and a few larger feeds a year for established ones. Spread it under and beyond the canopy, away from the trunk.
Pruning and care through the year
- Remove shoots from below the graft.
- Prune lightly to remove dead wood and keep the tree a size you can cover in a cold snap.
- Before a freeze, water the soil a few days ahead, pull mulch back and cover the tree to the ground.
- Check new shoots for Asian citrus psyllid and report suspected citrus greening.
Harvesting
Pick limes when they are full size and juicy. UF/IFAS notes that limes make a good home acid fruit because fruit can be picked at almost any time of year, and Key lime bears through much of the year.
Growing in pots
A dwarf lime in a large container with free-draining mix is the way to grow limes outside the warmest areas. Water and feed more often than trees in the ground, and bring the pot into a bright, frost-free place before the first cold night.
Companion planting
Citrus do best with the area under the canopy kept clear of grass and weeds.
Good companions
- Comfrey Its leaves can be cut and laid near the drip line as mulch, kept away from the trunk; it is hard to remove once planted.
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to lime tree.
- Lawn and weeds Grass and weeds compete with citrus roots and, at the trunk, can promote foot rot.
Pests and diseases
Citrus greening, spread by the Asian citrus psyllid, is the serious threat to limes, as to all citrus.
Pests to watch for
- Asian citrus psyllid Tiny mottled brown insects feeding head down on new shoots; nymphs leave white, waxy strands. They spread citrus greening.
- Leaf miner Silvery, winding trails in young leaves, which curl.
- Scale Small bumps on twigs and leaves with sticky honeydew.
Diseases to watch for
- Citrus greening (HLB) Blotchy yellowing of leaves and small, lopsided fruit. There is no cure.
- Anthracnose Twig dieback and blighted flowers and young fruit, mainly on Key lime in wet weather.
- Melanose Small, raised, rough brown specks on fruit and leaves.
- Citrus canker Raised, corky lesions with yellow halos; report suspected cases.
Common questions
Where can I grow a lime tree outdoors?
Only in nearly frost-free places: South and Central Florida, the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, coastal and warm inland Southern California, the low desert and Hawaii. Elsewhere grow a dwarf lime in a pot and move it indoors in winter.
What is the difference between Key lime and Persian lime?
Persian or Tahiti lime is the large, seedless grocery lime. Key lime is smaller, seedy and more aromatic, and it is even more cold sensitive.
Why are my lime tree leaves blotchy yellow?
Even yellowing often means the tree needs feeding. Blotchy, uneven yellowing that does not match on both sides of the leaf, with small lopsided fruit, can be a sign of citrus greening. Report it to your extension office or state department of agriculture.
Can I buy a lime tree from another state?
Often not. Citrus plants must not be moved out of areas quarantined for citrus greening, and states have their own citrus rules. Buy a certified tree from a licensed nursery in your state.
When do limes ripen?
Tahiti limes crop mainly from June to September in Florida. Key limes bear through much of the year.
Sources we checked: UF/IFAS EDIS: Citrus Culture in the Home Landscape (HS132); USDA APHIS: Citrus Greening and Asian Citrus Psyllid; UF/IFAS EDIS: Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri (IN160); Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Bexar County: Growing Your Own Citrus.
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