Citrus aurantiifolia aka Lime

Taxonomy

Citrus aurantiifolia, also known as the Key lime or acid lime, is a citrus hybrid native to tropical Southeast Asia. It has a spherical fruit, 25-50mm in diameter, and is usually picked while still green but ripens to a yellow color. The Key lime has a thinner rind and is smaller, seedier, more acidic, and more aromatic than the Persian lime. It is valued for its characteristic flavor and is often used as the flavoring ingredient in Key lime pie. Other names for this lime include West Indian lime, bartender's lime, Omani lime, or Mexican lime. Lime trees are attractive, ornamental evergreen trees related to oranges and lemons and produce lovely, white, fragrant flowers that appear in spring and summer. They are self-fertile, so you only need to grow one tree to get fruit. While lime trees are not reliably cold hardy in Britain, they can be grown outside in containers during the warmer months and brought indoors for the winter. However, they do not make great houseplants as they require plenty of light and humidity, and dislike central heating. The Key Lime Tree is a popular houseplant that needs regular watering and direct light within 1 foot of a window to thrive.

Common names

Lime, Mexican Lime, Egyptian Lime, Indian Lime, Key Lime

How to care for Lime

Difficulty

Lime presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.

Water

Lime should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Lime loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Lime thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Mexican Lime.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it's common for Lime to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Lime is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Humidity

The Lime does not need extra humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their root system, making soil watering the best way to provide humidity to your plants.

Fertilizer

The Lime grows at a slow pace and doesn't require any supplementary fertilizers. By renewing its potting soil once a year, it should receive enough nourishment. Remember, plants obtain their energy from sunlight, not fertilizers.

Region of origin

Lime’s native range is Southeast Asia and Australia.


More info:
Wikipedia