Damon Mcknight
Limes are one of the most popular small evergreen trees in Australia, with at least 20 types, including hybrid varieties. The most popular are the Kaffir Lime, Tahitian Lime, Finger Lime and the Key Lime. They are easy to maintain and are one of the best low-maintenance trees for your garden. They are generally pest and disease-free, but prefer warmer climates and are reasonably frost-tolerant. In this article, we will explore how to grow a lime tree in Australia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Species | West Indian Lime, Finger Lime, Tahitian Lime, Kaffir Lime, Key Lime, Mexican Lime, Persian Lime |
| Height | 2-6m, depending on the species |
| Plant type | Small, evergreen tree |
| Foliage | Glossy, dark-green with a pungent citronella scent when crushed |
| Climate | Warm, humid, and subtropical |
| Soil | Rich, well-draining, and loose |
| Position | Full sun, with protection from strong winds |
| Flowering and fruiting | Fragrant white blossoms in spring and summer, followed by fruit from mid-autumn to mid-winter |
| Pot size | Minimum 40 cm wide with good drainage holes |
| Fertiliser | Yates Thrive Natural Citrus & Fruit Organic Based Pelletised Fertiliser, Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser, Yates Dynamic Lifter Liquid Concentrate |
| Watering | Two to three times a week, depending on weather conditions |
| Pruning | After fruiting to remove dead or diseased wood and open the canopy |
| Pests | Sap-sucking insects like aphids, scale, mites, and bronze orange bugs |
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What You'll Learn
Soil and sunlight requirements
Lime trees are generally easy to maintain and are one of the best low-maintenance trees for your garden. They are fairly pest and disease-free, but prefer warmer climates and are reasonably frost-tolerant. In particularly cold areas, it is recommended to wait until spring before planting.
Lime trees are hungry and require lots of nutrients to promote a healthy harvest. They should be fed every eight weeks from spring until the end of harvest with an organic-based, pelletised fertiliser. This will promote healthy leaf growth and lots of flowers and fruit.
When planting a lime tree, choose a spot with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight and well-draining soil. If the soil is hard and mostly clay, consider growing the tree in a raised garden bed or large pot filled with quality potting mix. Dig a hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root ball. Remove the plant from its pot, gently loosen the soil around the roots and position it in the centre of the planting hole. Backfill with soil, firm down and water well.
Mulch around the tree with pine bark or sugar cane mulch, keeping it at least 10cm away from the trunk. Keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant is established.
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Choosing a lime variety
There are several varieties of lime trees that can be grown in Australia, including the popular Tahitian Lime, Finger Lime, Kaffir/Makrut Lime, and West Indian Lime. When choosing a lime variety to grow, consider factors such as climate, space, and your desired level of maintenance.
The Tahitian lime tree (Citrus x latifolia) is a well-loved variety that fruits from autumn to spring and bears an abundance of seedless fruit. It grows up to four metres tall, but dwarf forms are also available, which grow up to two metres tall. Tahitian limes are moderately hardy and can be grown in cool temperate zones, but they will need extra protection in cold climates and during heavy frosts.
The Finger Lime (Citrus australasica) is a native Australian lime variety. It is slow-growing and produces stubby, finger-like fruit with caviar-like pulp that bursts with zesty flavour. The trees grow between three and six metres tall and are ideal for pots or garden beds. Finger Limes are self-pollinating and can be grown from seed, but they will not grow true to the parent, and seeds have a low germination rate. Most trees are derived from grafted stock, which is hardier and matures more rapidly.
The Kaffir Lime, also known as the Makrut Lime (Citrus hystrix), is native to the tropics of Southern China and Southeast Asia. It grows up to four metres tall but typically remains smaller as its leaves are often harvested for cooking. It produces rough, pith-filled fruit, but it is mainly grown for its long, peanut-shaped leaves, which are highly aromatic and used fresh or dried in Southeastern cuisines. Kaffir lime trees can have thornless varieties, and they are resilient once they begin to fruit and are protected from extended cold periods.
The West Indian Lime (Citrus aurantifolia), also known as the Key Lime or Mexican Lime, is often considered the 'true' lime due to its strong acidic flavour. It grows between two and five metres tall and can be pruned after fruiting to maintain a more compact size. Its branches are thorned, so care should be taken with placement. West Indian Limes grow best in warm, humid climates and are frost-sensitive, so they are suited to subtropical climates.
When choosing a lime variety, consider the space you have available and the climate conditions in your area. Some varieties, like the Finger Lime and Kaffir Lime, can be grown in pots or containers, making them suitable for smaller spaces. Dwarf varieties, such as the dwarf Tahitian lime, are also a good option for limited space. If you live in a particularly cold region, choose a hardy variety like the Tahitian lime or consider growing your lime tree in a pot so you can easily move it to a more protected place during winter.
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Planting and fertilising
When planting a lime tree, choose a spot with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight and well-draining soil. If the soil is hard to dig and mostly clay, consider growing the tree in a raised garden bed or a large pot with a quality potting mix. The pot should be at least 40 cm wide with good drainage holes. Dig a hole that is twice as wide and the same depth as the root ball. Remove the plant from its pot, gently loosen the soil around the roots and position it in the centre of the planting hole. Backfill with soil, firm down and water well. Mulch around the tree with pine bark or sugar cane mulch, keeping it at least 10 cm away from the trunk.
For in-ground planting, plant the tree in a prepared area about three times the diameter of the pot and as deep as possible. The soil should be well-draining and loose, allowing for root growth.
Lime trees require lots of nutrients to promote a healthy harvest. Feed established garden-planted lime trees every eight weeks, from spring until the end of harvest, with an organic-based, pelletised fertiliser. This will promote healthy leaf growth and lots of flowers and fruit. Avoid fertilising when the tree is in flower, as it can cause the flowers to fall.
Finger Limes should be fed with a fertiliser that is safe for Australian native plants, like Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. Apply around the root zone every spring and autumn and water in well. Australian Finger Limes can also be fertilised with a water-soluble fertiliser every three months or more often with worm castings or seaweed emulsion.
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Pruning and maintenance
When pruning, remove dead or diseased wood and open up the canopy. Remove any growth or suckers growing below the graft union on the trunk. You can also prune your lime tree after fruiting to keep it more compact.
Lime trees are generally easy to maintain and are low-maintenance trees. They are usually pest and disease-free but prefer warmer climates and are reasonably frost-tolerant. In particularly cold areas, it is recommended to wait until spring before planting. Protect your lime tree from frost and drying winds during winter.
If you are growing your lime tree in a pot, choose a dwarf variety and a strong, lightweight pot with good drainage holes. The pot should be at least 40 cm wide. You can also bring your lime tree indoors or place it against a north-facing sunny wall during winter to protect it from frost damage.
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Common pests and issues
Lime trees are susceptible to pest infestations and diseases. These are some of the most common issues you’ll encounter when growing a lime tree.
Aphids
Aphids are sap-sucking pests that can be green, yellow, brown, or black. They excrete a sticky substance called honeydew, which attracts ants and can lead to a fungal disease called sooty mould, appearing as a black powdery film over leaves and stems. Spray the tree with an insecticide like Yates Nature's Way Citrus & Ornamental Spray to get rid of them.
Scale
Scale insects, including soft scales and citrus rust mites, also excrete honeydew and cause sooty mould. They can be removed from the leaves with a sharp knife, your fingernail, or a cotton swab soaked in alcohol. You can also treat them with horticultural oil, and remove the mould with a soapy cloth.
Leaf Miner
Citrus leaf miners cause damage to new developing leaves, leaving trails that distort the leaf shape and cause stunted growth. They are a problem during spring and late summer to early autumn. To prevent damage, spray the tree with an oil-based insecticide like Eco-Oil or PestOil during the growing season.
Gall Wasps
Citrus gall wasps produce swellings on branches. Prune the affected branches and soak the galls in water to control them.
Other Pests
Other pests that affect lime trees include bronze orange bugs (stink bugs), which are sap-sucking and cause new leaves and stems to wilt and die. They can be treated with Yates Nature's Way Citrus & Ornamental Spray. Citrus mites can also infest lime trees.
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Frequently asked questions
Lime trees need full sun and well-drained soil. They should be watered two to three times a week, depending on the weather conditions. They are sensitive to frost, so grow best in warm and subtropical climates.
The most popular types of lime trees in Australia are the Kaffir Lime, Tahitian Lime, Finger Lime, and Key Lime. The Finger Lime is a native Australian lime with stubby, finger-like fruit. It is slow-growing and has thorny branches. The Kaffir Lime is native to the tropics of Southern China and Southeast Asia and is usually used for its leaves, which can be used fresh or dried to add flavour to Southeastern cuisines.
Dig a hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root ball. Remove the plant from its pot, gently loosen the soil around the roots and position it in the centre of the planting hole. Backfill with soil, firm down and water well. Mulch around the tree with pine bark or sugar cane mulch, keeping it at least 10cm away from the trunk.
