Tahitian Lime Tree

The Tahitian Lime (Citrus latifolia 'Tahitian') is the lime from the supermarket, growing in your own garden: large, juicy, seedless fruit on a thornless tree that reaches about 3.5m and starts cropping young. It is the most practical of all limes to own, generous with fruit through the warmer months, perfumed in flower, safe rooted near paths, and perfectly suited to a large pot on a sunny patio.

Why you'll love it

• Seedless, juicy, endless. The classic bar and kitchen lime, with a mature tree carrying more fruit than most households can use.
• Thornless. Unlike most citrus you can pick, prune and brush past it bare armed.
• Crops fast. Tahitian limes fruit younger than most citrus, often within a year or two of planting a potted tree.
• Compact and container happy. Around 3.5m in the ground, smaller in a pot, with non invasive roots either way.
• Blossom perfume. Waves of scented white flowers keep bees busy and fruit coming for months.

Where it works best

Small gardens. As a productive feature near the kitchen, it pays rent in limes and fragrance.

Pots, balconies and courtyards. A 50cm to 60cm pot in full sun grows a genuinely productive tree.

Warm climates especially. From the tropics through subtropical and warm temperate gardens it thrives outdoors year round.

Growing the Tahitian Lime in Australia

Position and climate. Six or more hours of sun. It performs in tropical, subtropical, warm temperate and Mediterranean climates; it takes light frost only, so in colder districts grow it in a pot with winter shelter or against a warm north wall.

Soil. Rich and free draining, or premium citrus mix in containers. Plant slightly proud on clay and mulch well, keeping mulch off the trunk.

Water and feed. Citrus are hungry: deep water whenever the topsoil dries (daily in summer for pots) and feed with citrus fertiliser in early spring, midsummer and early autumn. Even moisture prevents fruit drop.

Pruning. Light only: remove growth below the graft, dead wood and crossing branches after the main harvest, and thin overloaded young trees.

What to expect when it arrives

Tahitian limes ship as 250mm packs of 3 (plant one, gift two, or start a mini grove), single 300mm, 400mm and 500mm trees, and advanced 100L stock that arrives at fruiting age; tubes are grown to order and show as backorder, and we confirm timing with you first. Delivery is Australia wide, from $29.95, and advanced stock is freighted at cost. Expect first fruit within one to two seasons from a 400mm tree. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse all lime trees
• Compare the full citrus range
• More plants for balconies

Common questions

Why are my limes turning yellow?

They are ripe. Tahitian limes are picked green for the classic tang but mature to pale yellow on the tree, still juicy, just milder. Pick earlier if you want them sharp.

How is it different from a Kaffir lime?

Purpose. Tahitian gives the juice and wedges; Kaffir (makrut) is grown for its aromatic double leaves and knobbly zest. Serious cooks end up with both.

Will it fruit in Melbourne?

Yes, in a warm sunny position sheltered from frost, and very reliably in a pot moved to shelter over winter. Cropping is lighter than in Brisbane but well worth having.

Is it safe around pets?

Citrus foliage and skin oils are not safe for cats and dogs to chew, so site the tree or pot away from committed nibblers. The fruit in the kitchen is a human matter.