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Tahitian Lime

Citrus latifolia 'Tahitian Lime'

The Story

Plant Bio

Citrus latifolia is a vigorous, small to medium evergreen tree originating as a triploid hybrid from Southeast Asia. The species features a dense, rounded canopy of glossy, dark green lanceolate leaves with winged petioles that emit a pungent aromatic scent when crushed.

'Tahitian Lime' is a nearly thornless selection featuring white, star-shaped flowers that open from purple-tinged buds. As a triploid hybrid, it produces virtually seedless fruit and sterile pollen, bearing crops continuously in warm climates.

Uses & Benefits:

Dense, glossy green canopy and fragrant white flowers provide year-round visual appeal.

Produces abundant, virtually seedless, highly acidic green fruit ideal for culinary use.

Fragrant blossoms attract native bees, honeybees, and beneficial hoverflies, while dense branches offer nesting sites for small birds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

196 inches

Width

196 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Moderate

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Southeast Asia (cultivated origin)

Toxicity

Skin Irritant (peel oils)

Planting

How to Grow

Select a sunny site with rich, fertile, well-draining soil and a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball, ensuring the graft union remains well above the soil level when planted.
Water deeply upon planting and apply a layer of organic mulch, keeping it clear of the trunk.
Establish a regular watering schedule during dry spells to prevent fruit drop.

Pro Tip

Keep organic mulch several centimetres clear of the trunk collar to prevent fatal collar rot, and prune out any thorny suckers arising from below the graft union immediately.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Apply specialized citrus fertiliser three to four times a year across spring, summer, and autumn.
Prune annually to remove dead wood and clear crossing or diseased branches.
Protect young foliage and developing fruit from strong, salt-laden winds in coastal areas.
Wear gloves and eye protection when handling the plant to avoid skin irritation from peel oils.

Don't

Do not allow the root zone to become waterlogged, as wet feet quickly induce Phytophthora root rot.
Do not pile mulch against the trunk collar, which traps moisture and triggers collar rot.
Do not grow from seed, as this produces variable and inferior progeny.
Do not leave pruned branches affected by citrus gall wasp on the ground.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Harvest
Mulch
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Productive orchardsCourtyard feature treesContainer specimens on sunny patiosInformal screening or hedging

Companion Plants

Rosmarinus officinalis Lavandula angustifolia Anethum graveolens

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Tahitian Lime questions

What zones can Tahitian Lime grow in?

Tahitian Lime is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Tahitian Lime bloom?

Tahitian Lime typically blooms in spring through year round. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Tahitian Lime need full sun?

Tahitian Lime does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Tahitian Lime drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Tahitian Lime handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.