Can you grow a key lime tree in a pot?
You can grow Key Limes in a pot or a container so long as it has good water drainage system. Planting a Key lime tree in a pot will allow you to grow standard-sized, flavorful Key Limes. However, trees planted in a container, won’t produce the same amount of fruits that trees planted in the ground will.
How big of a pot does a key lime tree need?
Citrus trees when planted in buckets or pots, do not grow as big as they would if they were grown in the ground. Most tree roots are located in the top 6 to 18 inches of soil. Therefore, a pot that is 16 to 24 inches or larger in diameter should be used when potting the plant.
How long can a lime tree live in a pot?
Citrus trees have a natural lifespan of 50 years or more, with those rooted in the earth sometimes living a century. In contrast, citrus trees grown in containers don’t usually live this long. Although potted dwarf varieties have the shortest lifespan among citrus trees, they can still live a long time with good care.
How long does it take a key lime tree to bear fruit?
about 1-3 years
After reaching its full height, a dwarf key lime trees will begin to bear fruit in about 1-3 years. The tree flowers in the spring, with fruit following in late spring to early summer (if the flowers fall off without bearing fruit, that means your tree is not yet mature enough to bear fruit).
How do you take care of a potted key lime tree?
Key Lime Tree Care Just be sure to bring it back indoors if the temperature dips to 50°F/10°C at night. Water: Keep soil evenly moist, but not soggy. Constantly wet soil may cause root rot. Water thoroughly to wet all the roots, then allow the top 2 inches (5 cm) to dry out before watering again.
What is the best lime tree to grow in a pot?
For a small lime try Dwarf Tahitian or one of the Australian native limes. Citrus splitzers are multi-grafted citrus with both lime and lemons (and other combinations) on one plant and are ideal for large pots. Mandarins, cumquats and calamondins also make good potted plants.
How tall do Key Lime trees grow?
Key lime is a small, bushy tree, rarely taller than 12 feet (4.1 m). It has slender branches armed with short to medium length thorns. Spineless selections are more compact and upright in growth, have darker green foliage, and are characterized by low fruit production.
How big do Key limes get?
about one to two inches
A key lime, also known as a Mexican lime or West Indies lime, is a type of hybrid citrus fruit commonly grown in the Florida Keys. They typically measure about one to two inches in diameter. Although they are picked when they’re green, they actually begin to turn yellow as they ripen.
How often should you water a key lime tree?
Lime trees need consistent moisture to grow well. Water the soil deeply once or twice a week, rather than frequent shallow watering. When the soil is dry to about 6 inches, water the lime tree. Do not let the lime tree dry out, since the leaves will wilt and drop.
How tall do key lime trees grow?
Are Key limes self pollinating?
Key limes are self-pollinating fruit trees, so outdoor trees will produce fruit by natural means. Indoor trees can be pollinated by hand using a small paintbrush.
When should you repot a lime tree?
They offer pretty foliage, fragrant blossoms and savory fruit. But they need repotting every 12 to 24 months until they reach maturity. A sign that it’s repotting time is when you see roots coming out of the soil surface and out of the pot’s drainage holes.
How do you grow Key limes?
Plant your key lime tree directly in the soil without amending it. Key limes prefer a soil medium that drains well, thus sandy soils are perfect for growing a key lime. They will even grow well in soils that are rocky. Clay soils will retain too much water, and the lime tree may develop root rot and die.
How to grow Persian lime trees in pots?
Fill the pot with soil, to within 3 inches of the rim. Water the Persian lime tree until the excess water runs from the bottom of the pot then water every three days for the first three weeks. After that, reduce the interval to seven days. Fertilize the Persian lime tree after you see new growth.
How tall does a key lime tree get?
It grows vigorously once you plant it in the ground, reaching heights of 6 1/2 to 13 feet tall. Mexican key lime trees have fragrant flowers with deep green leaves and the yellow-green limes that are about the size of a golf ball.
Does lime help citrus trees?
Gardeners can also use dolomite lime for disease prevention by sprinkling a light dusting around the fruit tree annually in spring or fall. Citrus trees prefer soil with a pH ranging from 6.0 to 8.0.