Today we will be talking about a plant whose popularity in Spain is very wide and in the rest of the world as well, despite the fact that there is a great variety of this species all over the world.
But within all that range of citrus fruits that belong to the same family, the lime tree is one of the most common to see in gardens thanks to the fact that they do not have a large size and can be cultivated without any problem.
Origin and characteristics of the lime tree
The lime tree, whose scientific name is Citrus aurantifolia, It is native to the Asian continent, where it grows in milder and warmer climates. It has a rapid growth up to 3-4 meters in height, and has evergreen green leaves.
The truth would surprise you how many lime trees exist around the world, but the vast majority of them end up having almost the same size in terms of their fruits. These they can be both green and yellow.
What if not all species of this type have acidic characteristics. There are some lime trees that are quite sweet, such as the lime tree.. What if, regardless of the variety, they all share very similar beneficial properties.
The most common of it is to be a rich source of vitamin C, in addition to having essential oils plus antiseptic and detoxifying properties. Its small and beautiful flowers are small, and have 4 white petals. The fruit, the lime, unlike other fruit trees, is consumed when they turn green.
It is a plant that will allow you to control its development in a very simple way. In addition, as it does not grow much, you can have it in pots throughout its life, or in small gardens.
This is a tree that during the Arabian invasion that the Spanish territory lived, could be found in all warm climate regions of the country. And it is that in addition to having a fruit whose flavor is delicious, its size remains reduced throughout its life, being able to have it both in small gardens and in pots.
If you have just purchased a specimen and you are wondering how to care for a lime tree, take note of these tips to keep it healthy, not the following. So get ready because you will be about to see much of the information that characterizes this plant and thus be able to give it the life it deserves in your garden.
Features
Although the characteristics of the plant have already been discussed in a superficial way, the most outstanding aspects of the lime plant have not yet been fully specified. So you look at these following features.
General aspect
It has a fairly robust appearance and has quite dense foliage. The trunk of this species is not usually straight, so it is very normal to see a certain curvature in its trunk.
As for its bark, it is quite smooth and soft to the touch and a large number of branches branch from its base. These branches usually have very small thorns but firm and hard enough to cause some damage if not careful.
Leaves
You already know the color of the leaves but you still don't know what their shape is. So that, the leaves of the lime tree are elliptical or may be oval. It has a great brightness, especially when sunlight falls on them.
The width of the leaves does not exceed 6 cm and they can reach a maximum length of 9 cm. The smallest leaves only manage to grow to a minimum of 3 cm in length.
Flowers
Lime blossoms are not as showy or pronounced to the naked eye. But what makes them peculiar and attractive is for the sense of smell, since they possess or give off a pleasant aroma during their flowering.
These are quite small which are between 2 and 3 cm in diameter. These are arranged in an axillary shape where each axillary has a maximum of 7 flowers, so a cluster can easily generate up to 8 files.
Fruit
The fruit of the lime tree can be either globose or oval in shape. The outside of the fruit is dark green that then turns yellowish green, which means that the lime is ripe.
The size of the file itself is not that big. They can measure between 4 and 5 cm in diameter and their skin is quite fragile and thin, so it is very easy to tear it and get the pulp of the fruit.
A curious fact is that By crossing several species of the same family, it has been possible to obtain a fruit with a degree of acidity different from the usual. In addition, the result of this crossing causes the tone of the crust to change. In these cases, the fruit ends up having a greater amount of Vitamin C and citric acid.
Farming
In cultivation, the lime tree is not a very demanding species, but we must bear in mind that will require frost protection, since it is very sensitive to cold.
Likewise, neither can we forget the pH of the substrate or garden soil. It can adapt to any type of soil, but in those that are clayey or have a high pH, it is likely to show signs of chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves), caused by a lack of some mineral -commonly iron-, so it will be necessary to add iron chelates.
When talking about how to prevent pests and diseases, we need to talk about water drainage. Indeed, an excess or lack of irrigation will make the tree appear decayed, something that insects, fungi and company will not hesitate to enter the plant through the roots, or adhere to the leaves to absorb the sap.
To avoid this, I recommend that you add a layer of about two centimeters of volcanic grade to the inside of the pot or the planting hole. Thus, the roots will not be in direct contact with the water for longer than they should.
Water about twice a week in summer, and 1-2 every 7 or 10 days the rest of the year, and you will see how you will have a splendid lime tree. Especially if you fertilize it from time to time with a little worm castings from any other organic compost.
Care
The first thing to know is the environment where you may or may not have the plant, since being a kind of tropical areas, requires a place where it is above 23 ° C.
In addition to this, it has to be kept under direct sun or failing that, in a semi-shaded place where the sun can affect them for about 6 or 7 hours a day.
As for the soil, it is already very well specified, but adding some extra data, you can check the humidity of the soil once you have done the corresponding irrigation. Similarly, try to use compost or fertile soil to enhance the development of the fruit.
In case you have acquired the seeds or a plant already germinated in its initial stages, you should make sure not to provide too much water. Just enough to keep the soil hydrated and moist. In addition to this, you will have to have it under direct sun.
Keep in mind that in order to see the first flowering of the plant you will have to wait at least 3 years and as for the production of fruits, you must wait at least 8 years. So don't think that just because you have this fast-growing plant, you will have fruits ready to eat.
The good news is that not all lime trees have the same ability to develop fruits and flowers. Depending on the grafts that have been done, just wait about a year to start seeing results. After 3 or 4 years after the first harvest, the lime production will be enhanced and will be at its peak.
Uses
The first use that we can mention of this plant is that of it you can extract essential oils which have properties very similar to that of lemon. This oil is used mainly to make flavored drinks.
Not to mention that these same oils and essences from the lime are in great demand in today's market, since It is the basis for the elaboration of personal hygiene products, as well as perfumes and fragrances for women.
In the same way, it is impossible to deny the fact that the lime as well as fruits with similar characteristics are used for the preparing sweets and even preserving food. In addition to giving a better flavor to these foods and preparations.
The reason that the lime has this edible use is thanks to its great beneficial properties for the body. Like lemon, has a high amount of vitamin C, as well as pectins and citric acid. All these compounds are bases for the elaboration of medicines that are currently marketed throughout the world.
I have a small lime tree, one meter high, and apparently he liked the place where I planted it, the question is whether it will raise the wall or the floor, because it is in a small patio, the designated space measures 2 meters by 50 centimeters ????
Hello Sergio.
The lime tree is small in size, and its roots are not problematic.
Greetings 🙂.
Hello, I have a lime tree and I want to know how to take care of it now that winter is coming. I had thought of making a bucket out of wood and plastic to protect it from frost…. will it be alright? another idea?
Hi valeria.
Yes, it is an option. You can also simply wrap it in plastic, putting one or two stakes (at least the height of the tree) nailed to the pot.
a greeting
Hi Monica, I have a lime tree that I planted two years ago and it is no more than 50 cm high, its okas are very green… but it hasn't grown up to here, what could be your problem?
Hi Erika.
Is it potted or on the ground? In any case, I would recommend you pay it in spring and summer, so that it grows. For example, with cow manure, guano or mulch, once every fifteen days or so.
Regards!
Hi, I have a lime that doesn't grow much and hardly bears fruit, can you tell me what I can do?
Thank you very much
Hello Maripaz.
I recommend you fertilize it in spring and summer with organic fertilizers, such as guano, worm humus or manure.
In any case, you should know that its growth rate is a bit slow, so it is normal for it to grow little.
A greeting.
Hello, I have a lime tree still in the pot, I wanted to know if I can have it inside my house, or would it be better to plant it. Thanks a lot
Hello April.
It's going to be better out 🙂. Indoors it would not suit very well.
A greeting.
Hello Monica,
Thank you very much for the information. I have a lime tree in my house that receives direct sunlight (I live in Turkey, in the city of Ankara where the climate is very similar to Madrid in Spain). The tree had been in a small pot for quite some time and I think it had been overwatered; They have fallen the small lime fruits first, and many leaves later. Now I have it recultivated in a larger pot with the most suitable soil, especially for citrus trees, mixed with a sufficient amount of perlite. In the lower part of the pot I put pebbles for the best drainage. Once a day I spray the leaves with water (the few that remain) because the climate is very dry here.
The problem is, it hasn't shown any significant improvement yet. In the branches and in the few leaves that the tree has, I usually notice a kind of liquid without color, but sticky and, I do not know if it is what this tree has by its nature, there are also some small light brown things stuck underneath of the leaves and, in turn, in its branches. I don't know how to define them because I couldn't find them on the internet and here I don't have the option of adding the photos that I can take.
Well, finally, I have a lot of affection for him and I want him to recover again! So any suggestions you can give me, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you very much, once again, for all the information you provide us here and, also, thank you very much in advance for your help.
Greetings from Ankara
Hello Baris.
From what you count, it looks like it has mealybugs. They love the dry and warm environment.
You can remove them with a swab from the ears moistened in water and alcohol, but if the plague is widespread it is better to treat the tree with Dimethoate, following the instructions specified on the package.
Greetings and good luck.
Thank you very much Monica! I just took a look on the internet and, yes, it is indeed a pest of mealybugs. I'll clean them just like you told me! I really appreciate it, thank you very much again.
Thanks to you 🙂.
In Mexico there is a laundry detergent called Roma, it is very useful if you add it to a spray bottle in water, the pests go away and the tree grows, the detergent is very economical, less than 1 dll; If you give me a PO box I will send you half a kilo
I have had a lime tree for more than a year, in a large pot and its behavior has been magnificent, as I have recently collected a multitude of fruits.
Now all of a sudden the leaves have started to wrinkle, change a little color and he is pulling them by leaps and bounds.
Do you understand why, what can I do? It has not frozen at night yet and the watering has already cut it, it only gets wet when it rains
Hello Jose.
Have you checked if it has any plagues? Aphids and thrips often cause these symptoms. They are eliminated with systemic insecticides whose active ingredient is Imidacloprid.
If it does not have anything, then it is a lack of nutrients, which is solved by fertilizing with fast-effective fertilizers, such as guano in liquid presentation, which is organic.
A greeting.
Thank you very much Monica. I'll tell you how it went
Thanks to you.
Hi Monica, I want to buy a lime plant since in my house we like to drink caipirinha, what is the best way to buy? I leave it in a pot or take it to the ground. I live in Argentina, Bs As. Here is herano. Thanks
Hello Sergio.
If you can, put it on the ground. It will grow better and will be able to produce more fruit.
But if you couldn't, it can be potted without problems. You would just have to pass it on to a higher one.
A greeting.
What is the best time to spend it on land ???
Hello Sergio.
The best time is at the end of winter, when the minimum temperature begins to rise.
A greeting.
HELLO MONICA I HAVE 4 LIMA PLANT I LIVE IN MALLORCA THE SEEDS XK SEED SUIT FROM ECUADOR THEY ARE 2 YEARS OLD THEY ARE NOT SO BIG AND I DO NOT KNOW WHEN IT WILL BEGIN TO FLOWER OR I WILL HAVE K WAIT MORE TIME OK I CAN PUT THEM TO GROW WOOD IN KETER I HAVE THEM MY HUSBAND HAS MADE HIM I HAVE THEM ON THE TERRACE AND I HAVE NO LAND WHERE TO PLANT THEM I WAIT FOR YOUR ANSWER THANKS
Hello Gabriela.
Come on, from Mallorca. I was born and live here 🙂
Let me tell you: potted trees take longer to flower, since they don't have as much space as they would if they were planted in the ground. For this reason, it is always recommended to plant them in larger pots as they grow, and fertilize them in spring and summer (being in Mallorca, you can also do it in autumn) with organic fertilizers, such as guano in liquid form, following the specified indications. on the packaging. You will find this product in nurseries, such as the Garden Center in Llucmajor or in Santa María.
A greeting.
Hi Monica, I have a lime plant and everything was fine up to one meter in height, from then on the foliage began to grow, the wrinkled leaves look horrible, even the stem is not the same change in appearance, your help please.
regards
Hi Edwin.
Have you checked if it has any plagues? Sometimes this symptom is a sign that thrips are affecting the plant. Thrips are like very small earwigs, 0,5cm long, and black in color. They are fought with chlorpyrifos.
If they are not, you can upload an image to tinypic or imageshack and copy the link here.
A greeting.
Good morning Monica… A few days ago my husband bought a little lime tree… We put it in a big pot, but it doesn't have holes in the bottom… Is it okay in that pot? Or do I have to move it to one that has holes?… Thank you very much !!!
Hello Adriana.
It is better for the pot to have holes, since the excess water will be able to come out and will not remain stagnant.
If it's plastic, you can poke holes in it with scissors. With patience and a little force you get to pierce. A drill can also be used.
Another option is to transfer it to a pot that does have them.
A greeting.
Hi Monica, I have a tahiti lime, I wanted to know what would be the appropriate pH for the chiquita plant and until what age do I have to maintain this pH? Thank you
Hi marcos.
The lime tree grows well in soils with slightly acidic to neutral pH (5-6.5). Anyway, you should know that clay soils (pH 7) also go well as long as it is fertilized regularly.
A greeting.
Hi Monica, I live in Santiago de Chile and I have a 1,20 m file. For 4 years it has not grown, it is full of flowers, that is, it produces many limes but then all the fruits fall that has happened during the four years. What should I do ? Thanks. (It is planted on the ground and is sunny most of the day)
Hi Gonzalo.
For the fruits to come to fruition, it is necessary to fertilize the tree from spring until the time of harvest. If you don't, I recommend using guano, which is a very quickly effective natural fertilizer.
And if not for that, please write to us again and we will tell you what to do.
A greeting.
Hello Monica. I am writing to you from Mexico. Something not very good happened, for invasion reasons I had to move my lime tree a meter from place. What caused this was that my tree suffered: its leaves wrinkled, its flowers fell and its fruits cracked. From there on out, he did not die but he is still a bit sad. My question is: Can it continue to grow the same as before? Didn't I limit its growth? And if not, how can I make the tree de-stress and continue to grow as before? I feel a little guilty because I was growing very well, strong and healthy.
Regards!
Hi John.
Do not worry: if it has not continued to get worse, it is a good sign. I tell you that I myself had to change an ornamental cherry tree, it also had leaves, and although it had a bad time in the end it has recovered.
Of course, you have to be very patient and water it from time to time, preventing the soil from drying out completely.
A greeting.
Hello Monica ! I have three small Peruvian lime trees planted in pots at home (Seville). They are little trees grown from seed. Although I have them on the terrace, direct light only gives them 6 or 7 hours a day. I wonder if it is enough. I plan to transplant them to a larger bed, in which it would give direct light all day. It is convenient?
What would happen if they were planted in an outdoor patio but being in the shade all day?
Thank you very much.
Hi carlos.
Six or seven hours of light is more than enough. 🙂
If they were planted in the shade, they would not grow well, and most likely they would not bear fruit.
A greeting.
Very good
I have recently grown a lime tree and put it on the balcony in a large pot next to a kumquat also purchased the same day. I have been two weeks and when I read that it should not be flooded but if something wet I have watered a little but every day and the lime has lost many leaves after turning brown. It may be due to lack of water because it gets the direct sun of Madrid that is hot or because of watering so much. I have also sprayed water on the leaves. Is this good or harmful?
Thank you very much for your help
Hello Jorge.
From what you count, it looks like it is overwatering.
It is better to water two, or three times a week now in summer, until the water runs out of the drainage holes.
It is not good to spray, as the leaves could literally suffocate by having to keep their pores closed.
You can, however, put glasses with water around it so that the humidity is higher.
A greeting.
Hi Monica, I just arrived from Mexico and I brought two limes, one of them left its leaves and it is drying, what can I do ???
And I also brought a guava that became very dry and also its completely burned leaves, I have scratched the trunk a little and it is still green but on the outside it looks dead !!!!! Something I can do ????
As soon as it arrives, transplant them into a large enough pot with a vitaminized substrate.
Thank you.
Hi Susan.
You have to be patient. Water them two or three times a week in summer and a little less often the rest of the year. Now it is advisable to use powdered rooting hormones to help them produce new roots.
A greeting.
hello good day, I have lime trees palnte about 6 months ago and their size remains the same .. is that normal?
Hello Antonella.
Yes it's normal. Fertilize them in spring and summer with Organic fertilizers, and you will see how little by little it grows.
A greeting.
Good afternoon ! I live and Argentina. In September of the daring Alonzo I brought some Brazilian lime seeds.
Once they germinate, the osan pace into pots of 10 liters each are growing quite well, they are approximately 50cm maximum in height. The stems are still my weak, I take care of them a lot from strong winds etc.
My question is ..when would it be the time to transplant it to its final place? Does that place have to give you a lot of sun? Since winter here in Argentina reaches temperatures of 4 degrees C • sometimes… the seeds that sprout turn yellow, and the flowers around them are purple. The leaves are very green.
From now on I hope that the information I provide will be useful, I hope and answer.
Hello Nahuel.
You can plant them at the end of winter, secured with a few stakes.
If they are not in direct sunlight, put them in semi-shade to avoid burning.
A greeting.
Hi Monica, I have a kaffir lime that is almost two years old in a pot, it was going quite well until, I guess that due to poor drainage, I think it has caught fungi, some leaves are as if you were partially drying. How could I save her? Any fungicide? I have already raised it from the ground, so that it drains better
Thanks in advance
Hello Nacho.
Yes, a spray fungicide, or if you want something more natural, sprayed copper or sulfur on the leaves (2-3 small tablespoons per liter of water).
It would also be advisable to transfer it to a somewhat larger pot in spring so that it can continue to grow.
A greeting.
Hi Monica, I have a Lima seedling of approx. 70 cm. And a bud came out at the bottom of the stem, I wonder if I should leave it or remove it
Thank you
Hi Juan Pablo.
I recommend you take it off and it will take away energy from the tree.
A greeting.
Hello Monica,
I have a lime in a one meter pot, it has many flowers, 3 or 4 together in each place, my question is, do you leave all the flowers or should you leave less together
Thank you
Hi Estelle.
Yes, all the flowers are left 🙂
All the best
Hello Monica, when is the season when the lime trees bloom?
Hello Isaac.
It blooms in spring.
A greeting.
Hi Monica, I have planted a lime plant for 3 years but it takes 1 meter to grow to growth, it is just flowering that I can add to make it grow more gracefully
Hi Guillermo.
I recommend you pay it in spring and summer, with ecological fertilizers. But you have to know that more does not mean better: the tree will absorb the nutrients it needs, neither more nor less.
You have to be patient 🙂
A greeting.
Hi Monica, I have a lime plant in a pot and suddenly all the leaves fell away, it will be like a year ago and they did not grow back, but a stem came out at the bottom of the trunk
Hello, Marcelo.
You say it has been without leaves for a year? If so, it has probably dried out. Scratch a little with the help, and if it is green, it is because there is still hope.
But if not, you can cut to the height of that stem that came out.
In the post you can read how this tree is cared for, but if you have questions, ask.
A greeting.
I HAVE A LIMAO PLANT FOR TWO YEARS AGO, A MONTH AGO IT WAS RADIANT FULL OF GREEN DROWS, FLOWERS APPEARED AND SUDDENLY IN 4 DAYS ALL THE LEAVES GOT YELLOW AND FELL, WHAT CAN I DO? THANKS A LOT
Hello, good afternoon, I have a lime tree that does not exceed one meter in height, I have had it for years and the only thing that has come out is many thorns and some small, half-rounded leaves, it never gave me fruit. I live in Uruguay, we have four seasons, we are in autumn, I already saw in previous comments that I must take care of it from frost, it is outdoors. Thank you very much for the information, greetings, Tamara.
Hello Nadia.
Do you have it in a pot or on the ground? Have you ever paid it?
In principle, you should know that an average fruit tree takes about 5 years to bear fruit for the first time, although there are some that take less time and others longer. If it is kept on the ground and is regularly fertilized with some organic fertilizer (guano, mulch, compost,…) it will take a little less than if it is kept in a pot.
On the other hand, if they are kept in a pot, it is necessary to try to change them to a larger one from time to time, since this way they can continue to grow.
If you have questions, contact us.
Greetings.
Dear Monica.
We recently moved to a house where we went to live, there are two lime trees and the fruit they bear is a fine peel, the white is more than 50% of the fruit and the little rest that remains are the segments but dry. When you cut them you see very little pulp and all white.
I'm in Buenos Aires - Argentina and I don't even know when is the time to pick the fruit or when it blooms or something else. I would like to know a little more about that since it looks very nice, good foliage, smooth green leaves ... It will be the earth, each tree will have to be grafted.
Hello, Enrique.
The lime tree blooms in spring, and its fruit ripens shortly thereafter, towards mid / late summer depending on the weather.
From what you say, they may be short of compost. That is why I would recommend fertilizing them in spring and summer with cow manure, guano, or compost, once every fifteen days.
Regards!
Hi Monica, googling information I came across this magnificent page, and even better your contributions that I have read in the comments...
I'll tell you about mine..., I brought a Tahiti lime plant from Brazil (I'm from Bs As) that I bought in a nursery, I don't know how old it is, it shouldn't be more than a meter high, question I put it in a pot of 10L with a mixture of soil and substrate, it has already begun to flower and bear fruit...
What care do you recommend so that it keeps blooming and the fruit grows, since we are in autumn (April).
Thank you very much!
Hello Leonardo.
Thanks for your words.
If you haven't started doing it yet, I recommend paying for it. You can throw a handful of compost, manure or mulch on it. For now, and since you are already in autumn, nothing more is needed.
With that and a watering from time to time preventing the soil from drying out completely, it will do well.
A greeting.
Thank you for your time Monica. I keep consulting you..., that is, is it normal for the lime to begin to bear fruit in this cold season? and I plan to pay it with Guano, do you think it's okay if I add that? Thank you very much!
Hello Leonardo.
Yes it's normal. The guano will come in handy, but follow the instructions for use so that there are no problems.
Greetings.