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Plant Profiles / Tahitian lime
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Tahitian lime
Citrus × latifolia · Tahitian lime, Persian lime
A productive, nearly thornless lime with juicy, seedless fruit. Dwarf grafted trees fruit well in large pots.
Full sunLight
Twice a weekWater
ModerateCare level
Care at a glance
Light
Full sun
ShadeFull sun
6–8 hours of sun.
Water
Twice a week
DryWet
Even moisture.
Humidity
Average
LowHigh
Adaptable.
Temperature
2–38°C (36–100°F)
CoolWarm
Frost tender.
Growth
Moderate
SlowFast
Dwarf 1.5–2 m in pots.
Soil
Citrus mix
LeanRich
Free-draining.
Fertiliser
Spring–autumn
RarelyOften
Citrus fertiliser.
Pet safety
Toxic
SafeToxic
Citrus oils can upset pets.
About this plant
Tahitian lime is a hybrid of uncertain origin, widely grown in warm climates. It fruits most of the year and is less cold hardy than lemons.
Best spots
Sunny, sheltered balconies and courtyards.
Plant facts
| Botanical name | Citrus × latifolia |
| Family | Rutaceae |
| Origin | Hybrid |
| Plant type | Evergreen fruit tree |
| Mature size | 1.5–2 m in pots |
| Growth rate | Moderate |
| Flowers | Fragrant white |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets |
| Propagation | Grafting |
Seasonal care calendar
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Flowering
Harvest
Fertilise
FloweringHarvestFertilise
Based on Southern Hemisphere seasons.
Troubleshooting
| Yellow leaves | Cold, wet or hungry. |
| Fruit drop | Dry soil. |
| Leaf miner | Prune affected growth. |
| Scale | Horticultural oil. |
| Lumpy fruit | Normal variation. |
Common questions
Is it seedless?
Mostly.
Pot size?
50 cm+.
When to pick?
Green and glossy, or yellow when fully ripe.
Frost?
Protect it.
