Key Lime, Lime, Adam's Apple, Mexican Lime, West Indian Lime, Bartender’s Lime, Omani Lime
Delicious and easy to grow, Citrus × aurantiifolia (Key Lime) is a spiny evergreen shrub or small tree, prized for its rounded fruit, 2-3 in. across (4-6 cm), with juicy green pulp. Green and glossy when immature, the fruit turns pale-yellow when ripe. It is aromatic, juicy, very acid and flavorful. Valued for its unique flavor, it lends itself to many culinary uses. It is smaller and seedier, with a higher acidity, a stronger aroma, and a thinner rind, than that of the Persian lime (Citrus x latifolia). The slightly fragrant flowers are beautiful with their 5 long white petals, with a light purple tinge on the margins, and their bundled white stamens adorned with yellow anthers. They shine against the pleasantly aromatic, evergreen foliage of glossy green elliptic leaves. Flowers and fruit appear throughout the year, but are most abundant from late spring to early fall in the Northern Hemisphere. Exceedingly vigorous, Key Lime boasts many slender, spreading branches, armed with short, stiff, sharp spines.
The common name is derived from its association with the Florida Keys, where it is best known as the flavoring ingredient in Key lime pie.
Hardiness |
10 - 11 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
Plant Type | Fruits, Shrubs, Trees |
Plant Family | Rutaceae |
Genus | Citrus |
Common names | Adam's Apple, Key Lime, Lime, Mexican Lime, West Indian Lime |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall Winter |
Height |
6' - 15' (180cm - 4.6m) |
Spread |
2' - 4' (60cm - 120cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries |
Tolerance | Clay Soil |
Attracts | Birds |
Garden Uses | Patio And Containers |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
Hardiness |
10 - 11 |
---|---|
Climate Zones | 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
Plant Type | Fruits, Shrubs, Trees |
Plant Family | Rutaceae |
Genus | Citrus |
Common names | Adam's Apple, Key Lime, Lime, Mexican Lime, West Indian Lime |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Early, Mid, Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall Winter |
Height |
6' - 15' (180cm - 4.6m) |
Spread |
2' - 4' (60cm - 120cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Loam |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries |
Tolerance | Clay Soil |
Attracts | Birds |
Garden Uses | Patio And Containers |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden |
How many Citrus × aurantiifolia (Key Lime) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Citrus × aurantiifolia (Key Lime) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!