James H. Schutte
Family
Rutaceae
Botanical Name
Citrus latifolia
Plant Common Name
Persian Lime
General Description
Juice for guacamole and tart margaritas can be found in the piles of green Persian limes found at the grocery store. The true origin of this lime is unknown, but like most Citrus it is probably from the northwestern reaches of India. Citrus latifolia fruits are larger and less acidic than the smaller and more fragrant Key limes and have become the most popular commercial limes in the United States since they were first introduced in the 1800s.
Persian lime trees are evergreen, medium-sized and nearly thornless. The slightly fragrant leaves are elliptical to lance-shaped and often have winged petioles (leaf stems). New leaves have a slight purple hue and mature to dark green. The flowers are borne throughout the year but appear most abundantly in midwinter. The fragrant flowers are light purple in bud and open to white.
Limes are large, oval and bright green when young but turn yellow-green when mature. The skin is thin, leathery and dotted with oil glands, and the juicy flesh is acid, light green to yellow and nearly seedless. Persian limes ripen individually and are harvested by hand as the fruits mature throughout the year, however most ripen from early summer through fall. They are commonly grafted on rootstocks, which impart tolerances to soils, pests and climate conditions while preserving the desired varietal characteristics.
These lime trees are more cold sensitive than other Citrus, tolerating only brief periods of temperatures barely below freezing. They prefer full sun, well-drained soil and areas with warm, dry winters and cool summers. The trees are somewhat drought tolerant once established but must have regular water for good fruit production. Citrus trees are heavy feeders and require regular fertilization too.
No backyard orchard in subtropical and tropical zones is complete without a prolific-bearing and long-lived lime, as it is an attractive small tree worthy of admiration even without fruits. It also makes a great tub or conservatory specimen in cold climate areas.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 9
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USDA Hardiness Zone
9 - 11
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Fruit
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
15'-25' / 4.6m - 7.6m
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Width
15'-25' / 4.6m - 7.6m
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Bloom Time
Indeterminate
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Native To
Southern Asia, India, Melanesia, Australia
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Oval/Rounded
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Purple
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Fruit Color
Yellow, Green
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Dark Green
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Bark Color
Tan, Brown, Sandy Brown
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
Yes
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Fragrant Foliage
Yes
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
Yes
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
Yes
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
Yes
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Container, Edible, Feature Plant, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Houseplant, Shade Trees, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Birds, Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
Yes
