Citrus x Aurantiifolia


Bring bright tropical sunshine and delicious home-harvested citrus into your living space with Citrus x aurantiifolia—famously known as the Key Lime tree. Highly prized by gardeners and culinary enthusiasts alike, this compact fruit tree produces glossy evergreen foliage paired with intensely fragrant white blossoms that fill the air with sweet citrus perfume. Following bloom, it sets abundant clusters of small, thin-skinned, rounded green limes renowned for their aromatic, tangy flavor and signature tart zip. Compact enough to thrive in large containers on sunny patios or near bright south-facing windows, it serves as both a beautiful ornamental display and a rewarding indoor orchard favorite.

  • Toxic to pets and children
  • Repot once every 2 years
  • Fertilize once a month
  • Average water
  • Bright, direct light

About Citrus x Aurantiifolia

Origin

Native to Southeast Asia and the Indo-Malayan region, later introduced throughout the tropics and naturalized in the Florida Keys. It thrives in hot, sunny environments with well-draining, sandy soils.

Air Purifying

Emits natural citrus essential oils that naturally freshen indoor air and mask household odors. Its glossy leaves also absorb carbon dioxide while releasing clean oxygen into bright spaces.

Toxicity

Toxic to cats and dogs because its leaves, stems, and peel contain essential oils and psoralens. Ingestion causes stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, and potential photosensitivity.

Caring for Citrus x Aurantiifolia

Watering

Water deeply when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry, allowing water to drain thoroughly out the bottom. Never let the roots sit in standing water, as citrus trees are highly susceptible to root rot.

Light and Placement

Requires 8 to 12 hours of bright, direct sunlight daily to flower and set fruit successfully. Position outside in full sun, or in your sunniest south-facing window, supplementing with a grow light during winter months.

Nutrition

Feed monthly during spring and summer using a specialized citrus fertilizer rich in nitrogen, iron, zinc, and magnesium. Reduce feeding during late fall and winter when growth slows.

Repotting

Repot every 2 years in spring using a fast-draining citrus or cactus potting soil blended with perlite. Choose a heavy container to balance the weight of the tree and prevent tipping.

Pruning and Flowering

Prune in early spring to maintain a compact shape, removing crossing branches and suckers below the graft union. Produces intensely fragrant white blossoms that self-pollinate to form small, tart green limes.

Citrus x Aurantiifolia SOS

Illness

Prone to scale, mealybugs, spider mites, and citrus leaf miners when kept indoors. Yellowing leaves usually indicate overwatering, cold drafts below 50°F (10°C), or iron deficiency.

Now sit back and relax, our App will take care of the rest.

Hassle-free plant care with the Plantsome App!

Get the app