Dwarf Key Lime Tree

Botanical Name: Citrus aurantifolia

If you have a sunny spot for it, Key Lime Tree makes an easy house plant that will bear flowers and fruit off and on year-round.

Glossy, oval leaves growing on spiny stems are typically accompanied by white, star-shaped flowers. Those flowers are followed by 2-3 in (5-7.5 cm) round, green limes.

Given enough light, you can expect flowers and fruit on the tree at the same time, making this citrus tree a delightful, fragrant house plant.

Key Lime Tree Care

Shed some light. Plants that don't bloom aren't getting enough light. Put your citrus tree where it will get bright light with some direct sunlight every day. Moving your lime tree outdoors for the summer is ideal. Just be sure to bring it back before the temperature drops to 50°F/10°C at night.

Got blooms, but no fruit? It probably needs pollinated. Fruit trees grown outdoors are pollinated from the wind or insects that carry the pollen from flower to flower. If you've kept your key lime tree indoors, it needs some help from you. Don't worry -- it's easy to do.

Prune your plant. Pruning lime trees will keep them shapely -- and compact. You'll also encourage more flower buds to form. Prune in spring, removing old wood and long side branches. Once you get in the habit of yearly pruning, it's hardly any work at all.

Repot in spring. Repot only when the roots have filled the pot. Move to a pot only 1 size larger. Use a pot with a drainage hole to prevent overwatering, which can cause root rot.

Origin: Southeast Asia

Height: 3-5 ft (90cm - 1.5m)

Light: Bright light with at least 4 hours of direct sun every day

Water: Keep soil evenly moist

Humidity: Average room humidity

Temperature: Normal room temperatures 60-75°F, 16-24°C

Soil: Any good potting mix

Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks spring through fall with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half.

Propagation: Take 4 in (10 cm) stem tip cuttings in early summer. Dip cut ends in rooting powder, then insert them into moist potting mix. Enclose the cutting and container in a plastic bag or cover with a glass cloche to maintain high humidity. Cuttings should root in about 6-8 weeks.

Seeds taken from lime fruits will grow, but are unlikely to produce fruit.