Hortiforum

General Info – Lime, Persian Lime, Tahiti Lime, Seedless Lime

With its distinctive, tangy flavour and versatility in both sweet and savoury culinary creations, from dressings to beverages and cocktails, a Lime tree is an essential addition to any cook’s garden.
Lime trees are highly productive, often yielding fruit year-round. Limes are a remarkably versatile ingredient, indispensable in any kitchen, superb in flavouring drinks from elaborate cocktails to simple, refreshing sparkling water, as a seasoning giving a sour kick to dishes from Tacos to Salads and Pho, for pickling Onions or Ceviche, processed into Marmalade or to use the floral, fragrant zest in marinades or cakes.
Citrus Latifolia specifically refers to the Tahitian or Persian Lime, however, Limes refer to a range of cultivated species, all well worth considering. See the below for a summary of the three main Limes cultivated (excluding the Kaffir Lime):
The Tahitian/Persian Lime (Citrus Latifolia), a cross between the Key Lime and a Lemon and the most cultivated Lime. It produces large, seedless fruits with a delightfully acidic flavour, without the bitterness associated with Key Limes. Harvest while still green and slightly immature to retain their optimal flavour, as they tend to lose their taste and turn yellow once fully ripe.
The Sweet Lime (Citrus Limettioides), This variety is not sweet as the name may suggest, but does tend to be less acidic compared to other types of Limes. Its medium-sized fruits are particularly prized for their excellence in beverages. An ideal Lime for more temperate climates. Harvest while still green and slightly immature to retain their optimal flavour, as they tend to lose their taste and turn yellow once fully ripe.
The West Indian/Key Lime (Citrus Aurantifolia), the smallest of these three Limes but possessing the most aromatic and acidic pulp, the iconic ingredient of Key Lime Pie but also perfect in drinks and marmelades. Less cold hardy and more tropical than other Limes. Commonly grown from seed.
Limes, among Citrus species, are not particularly cold-hardy, typically only enduring light frosts and thriving in frost-free climates, however, utilising trifoliata rootstock can enhance their tolerance to colder conditions and makes them suitable for temperate climates. Limes thrive with consistent, plentiful rainfall or watering and will benefit greatly from generous mulching throughout the year. For optimal growth, place Lime trees in full sun and provide slightly acidic, nutrient-rich, loam soil.
Lime trees typically reaching heights of 3-5 metres on regular rootstocks, though dwarf varieties rarely exceed 2 metres making them well-suited to container cultivation. Trees can be cultivated into various forms, ranging from a fruiting hedge to being espaliered or left to grow in their natural shrub form. Branches naturally droop, particularly when laden with ripening fruits. West Indian Limes are thorny, whereas Tahitian Limes are virtually thornless. As with most citrus trees, pruning the inside of the tree is essential to promote airflow and sunlight penetration into the center of the plant. Lime trees boast glossy green lanceolate leaves and beautifully scented white flowers, imparting a delightful fragrance to any garden.
As a staple citrus variety cherished for its culinary applications, a Lime tree is a guaranteed success in any home orchard.

Plant Profile/Properties