Key Lime Tree

Care and Maintenance

Watering: When first planted, water every 2-3 days to ensure it gets well settled in the ground. When you see new growth, reduce watering to once a week. Water less in the winter months.

Fertilizing: Fertilize these trees in spring and summer with a fertilizer formulated for citrus trees. This will include other nutrients they require, like iron, zinc, and manganese. Add a thick layer of compost annually as a mulch to increase the nutrients in the soil.

Pruning: Prune to remove diseased, broken, or dying branches and to shape the tree in late winter.

Pests and Diseases: Although generally disease-free, look out for sucking insects like red spider mites, scale insects, and whiteflies. Treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Overwatering can cause root rot in soggy soil.

Pollination: Key Lime Trees are self-pollinating. Planting two or more together will increase the trees' yields significantly. The main pollinators are bees, but other insects also play a role. Indoor trees can be helped by moving pollen from one flower to another using a paintbrush.

Harvesting: Key limes can be harvested all year. To avoid damaging the plant, cut the fruit off with sharp pruning shears.

Recovery Time: Transitioning from our nursery to your home can be a bit of a shock to your plant. A short acclimation period helps it recover and reduces stress.

Climate Adjustment: Every environment is unique. Giving your plant time to adjust to the local climate, humidity, and light conditions in a shady spot will set it up for better growth and health.

How to Acclimate Your Plant: Keep the plant in its container and place it in a shady, sheltered area away from high winds. Ensure it's watered adequately – the soil should be moist but not waterlogged. Monitor the plant for any signs of distress and allow it to adjust for a few days before planting. After a few days of acclimation, your plant will be better prepared to thrive in its new home for years to come

Planting Care

Sunlight: Plant in full sun with at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.

Soil: The soil should have plenty of nutrients. Add compost every year. This can be applied as organic mulch to avoid disturbing the roots.

Mature size: Key Lime Trees will grow 6-12 feet tall with a spread of 4-8 feet. Those planted in pots will be more compact due to root constriction.

Climate: Key limes grow best in warmer climates.

Thinning: Thin out branches that touch or cross each other in winter to allow plenty of airflow through the tree.

Location: Choose a position in full sun with well-draining soil. Key limes need plenty of bright light to flower and set fruit.

Watering: Key Lime trees need average watering if there is no rain. Don’t overwater, as this may result in soggy soil and the chance of root rot. Mature plants need watering when the top two inches of soil are dry.

Pruning: Prune only to maintain the tree's shape and size, removing any diseased or dead branches or branches crossing each other.

Spacing: Plant at least 8 feet away from any other trees or nearby structures.

Harvesting: Harvest throughout the year by cutting the fruits off with pruning shears. The fruits will not ripen further after harvesting.

Pollination: Key limes are self-pollinating and do not require more trees to pollinate. However, it's always advisable to plant more than one tree to increase yields. Hand-pollinating indoor plants with a paintbrush can improve fruit set.

Hardiness Zone: The Key Lime Tree is suitable for growing outdoors in USDA Zones 8-11.

Fertilizer: Every few months during spring and summer, feed the trees with a fertilizer specifically formulated for citrus trees. Apply as recommended by the manufacturer. Overfeeding can result in leafy growth and no flowers or fruit.

Growing Zone

Grows Well In Zones: 4-11 patio / 8-11 outdoors