Seed Availability

Seeds are not available for the Key Lime. Please visit our seed store to view current selections. Seeds were last available in June 2019.

Description

A small tree, generally to 10-20ft. Fruits ripen about 5-6 months following flowering. In California, flowers are produced during spring-summer.

Hardiness

The Key Lime is more cold sensitive than most of its relatives, and tends to be injured or killed with temperatures below 32F.

Growing Environment

It isn't too picky about soils and adapts fairly well to sandy soils. Keep trees well drained, extensive periods of flooding can kill the tree. Grow in full sun, trees need quite a bit of heat to set quality fruit.

Propagation

By seeds. Also by grafting, with which trees tend to produce fruit a bit faster (3-4 years, vs. 4-7 for seedlings). Note on seeds: Seeds are harvested fresh, but to successfully germinate citrus seeds, a constant soil temperature at 75-85F is a must. Water moderately, only when the surface begins to dry. Overwatering can lead to rot. Sprout in shade, greenhouse or filtered sun.

Uses

Fruits are commonly used in beverages and as an ingredient in desserts (Key Lime Pie for example). The fruits can be used just like any other limes.

Native Range

Native to southeast Asia. Was cultivated for centuries throughout Asia and the Middle East.

Related Species

Rutaceae
	Aegle marmelos Bael Fruit		Balsamocitrus dawei Uganda Powder Flask
	Casimiroa edulis White Sapote		Casimiroa tetrameria Wooly Leaved Sapote
	Citrus articulata West African Cherry Orange		Citrus aurantifolia Key Lime
	Citrus aurantium ssp bergamia Bergamot		Citrus australis Australian Round Lime
	Citrus garrowayi Mount White Lime		Citrus hystrix Kaffir Lime
	Citrus inodora Russel River Lime		Citrus junos Yuzu
	Citrus limon 'Ponderosa' Ponderosa Lemon		Citrus maxima Pummelo
	Citrus medica var. Etrog Etrog Citron		Citrus mitis Calamondin
	Citrus paradisi x Citrus reticulata Ugli Fruit		Citrus sinensis Moro Blood Orange
	Citrus sudachi Sudachi		Citrus x Meyeri Meyer Lemon
	Clausena excavata Pink Wampee		Clausena lansium Wampee
	Cneoridium dumosum Coast Spice Bush		Feronia limonia Wood Apple
	Glycosmis pentaphylla Orangeberry		Melicope ternata Wharangi
	Microcitrus australasica Australian Finger Lime		Murraya koenegii Curry Leaf
	Murraya paniculata Orange Jessamine		Poncirus trifoliata Trifoliate Orange
	Triphasia trifolia Limeberry