Citrus x aurantiifolia, the lime tree that produces limes
Citrus × aurantiifolia
- Exposures
- Sun, Half-shade
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 9b (-3.9°C ≤ T° < -1.1°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Rutaceae
- Genus
- Citrus
- Species
- Lime tree Citrus × aurantiifolia
Other name:Citrus aurantifolia
When we think of citrus fruits from the Rutaceae family, we tend to picture a garden on the Mediterranean coast or an orange grove in Florida rather than the Himalayan mountains. Yet that is where Citrus x aurantiifolia originated. This hybrid of Makrut lime (Citrus hystrix) and Citron tree (Citrus medica) is now cultivated worldwide for its fragrant flowers and tart fruit, the lime.
How can you recognize the lime tree, Citrus x aurantiifolia?
Citrus x aurantiifolia is a shrub with a rounded, bushy habit. It grows to a height of three to five meters and a spread of one to two meters when fully mature.
The trunk often grows crooked. Highly branched, it bears slender branches dotted with thorns.
In Latin, “aurantiifolia” means “orange-leaved.” The lime tree has obviously earned this nickname because of the shape of its leaves. The oval, leathery leaves are two to five centimeters long and have serrated edges. They range in color from light to dark green. When crumpled, the oil glands release their contents, and the foliage gives off the characteristic sweet scent of citrus fruits.
The flowers, which are also very fragrant, attract pollinators. The star-shaped flowers are white with a hint of purple. They are no more than three centimeters in diameter.
They produce round fruits that are almost twice as large as the flowers themselves! Limes can reach six centimeters in diameter. The young, green fruits turn yellow as they ripen. They contain tart pulp and only a few seeds.
While Citrus x aurantiifolia is not toxic to humans or animals, the limonene found in lime essential oil can cause skin irritation in some people with sensitive skin.
Our care tips
Maintaining a Citrus × aurantiifolia is not difficult. Above all, you need to protect it from frost in winter and provide it with the nutrients it needs to grow. With the right potting soil and regular fertilizing, you'll soon be enjoying your own citrus fruits.
The Citrus × aurantiifolia citrus trees need regular watering all year round. During hot spells, water early in the morning or in the evening. Water evaporates less quickly, and your shrub benefits from it for longer.
Watering
The Citrus × aurantiifolia They like to keep the potting mix moist, but not soggy. Water when the soil is dry on the surface (about two to three centimeters deep).
Water the substrate with non-hard water—such as rainwater—at room temperature.
Let the water drain out through the drainage holes before returning the plant to its place. Empty any standing water from the saucer or planter. It may cause the roots to rot.
Repotting
Every year in the spring, repot your Citrus × aurantiifolia to give it more space.
When roots are sticking out of the pot or visible on the surface, it's time to repot!
To prepare your Citrus × aurantiifolia for repotting, soak the root ball. Then gently loosen the root ball.
Choose a terracotta pot or a wooden planter. Both materials promote water evaporation and reduce the risks associated with excessive watering. Make sure the container has drainage holes to allow water to drain.
Place a layer of clay pellets or gravel at the bottom to aid drainage.
Fill the rest with a rich substrate, such as a special citrus potting mix or general-purpose potting mix. You can make your own mix using:
- one-third potting mix;
- one-third garden soil;
- pozzolan.
Place your shrub in the center. The top of the root ball should be two centimeters below the rim of the pot. Fill in with substrate and firm it down to remove air pockets. When planting, be sure not to bury the root collar.
Fertilization
To promote the growth of your Citrus × aurantiifolia, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.
The Citrus × aurantiifolia are greedy plants. They need to be fertilized. Feed yours with a special liquid or granulated citrus fertilizer.
Cleaning
When the foliage of your Lime tree is covered with dust, the photosynthesis process is slowed down. To allow the plant to take full advantage of the light, gently wipe the leaves with a clean, damp cloth.
To avoid damaging the largest limbs, support them with one hand while you wash them with the other.
Prune
Size is not essential. It only helps to control shape and development and improves fruiting. When pruning, always use clean, sharp pruning shears.
Citrus trees flower and fruit on the year's wood. To maintain the compact, rounded shape of your shrub, remove dead branches and shoots growing along the trunk. You can also aerate the center by removing some shoots that have already borne fruit in previous years.
If you want to improve your harvest, you can also carry out a fruiting pruning operation: one month after the appearance of a new shoot, prune it back to a height of 20 centimetres.
Pinch
Pinch your Citrus × aurantiifolia during its growing season.
Use your fingers to pinch the tips of the branches. This forces the plant to create new branches and helps maintain a compact habit.
Planting
When the risk of frost has passed, it's time to plant.
Find them a place sheltered from the wind and isolated from other plants. Citrus plants have shallow roots and don't like to share their space.
Dig a hole 70 centimetres wide and 1 metre in diameter. While you're at it, soak the root ball.
Plant the plant in the middle, with the top of the rootball level with the ground. Take care not to bury the collar.
The Citrus × aurantiifolia plants thrive in light, well-drained, rich soil. When filling in, add potting soil or citrus soil to your garden soil. Tamp and water.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposures
- SunHalf-shade
- Substrate
- Humus soil
- Planting methods
- Open groundIn potsIn tubs
- Categories
- ShrubFruit tree
- Tag
- Edible fruit
- Origin
- South Asia
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 9b (-3.9°C ≤ T° < -1.1°C)
- Leaf color
- Light green
- Flower colors
- WhiteViolet
- Fruit colors
- YellowPale greenChartreuse
Discover plants from the same family
Lemon tree
Citrus x limon
Clementine tree
Citrus x clementina
Mandarin orange tree
Citrus reticulata
Orange tree
Citrus sinensis
Find out more
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