Lemon Lime Citrus Tree for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by Mary Van Keuren | Gardener (30+ Years Experience) – last update on June 28, 2022

Planting instructions

If planting outside, choose a site for your lemon lime citrus tree that has full sun and well-draining soil. Unpot your tree, and tease out any encircling roots, which can girdle the tree and slowly kill it. Dig a hole that’s as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Place the tree in it, spreading out the roots. While holding it upright and steady, fill in around it with topsoil, tamping down as you go to eliminate air pockets. Water thoroughly. Apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of an organic mulch, such as bark chips, to conserve moisture and hinder weed growth.

Watering and nutrients

When newly-planted, your lemon lime citrus tree will need watering several times a week. Once you see robust new growth showing, you can taper back to once a week. A mature tree needs water when the soil 3 inches below the surface is dry. Fertilize in spring with a slow-release, balanced product that is designed for citrus trees.

Pollination

The lemon lime citrus tree is monoecious, meaning that male and female reproductive organs are on the same plant. That means you can have a harvest even if you only have one tree. You may reap a larger harvest, however, with multiple trees. If your lemon lime citrus tree lives indoors, away from the insects that usually pollinate these trees, you can hand-pollinate it. Simply take a small paint brush or cotton swab and rub it over the center of a flower. Continue to do the same with the other flowers without cleaning off the paintbrush.

Pruning

Prune your lemon lime citrus tree to control the height and shape if you wish. Late winter is the best time to do this. Also monitor your tree for any broken, diseased, or dead branches and trim these off whenever you see them. Try to prune back to the adjoining branch, cutting just above the branch collar.

Pests, diseases, and animals

Common pests of the lemon lime citrus tree include mealybugs, citrus scale insects, and aphids. Remove leaves or branches that are infested. For indoor plants, wipe down the leaves regularly to keep infestations away. Horticultural oil can be used for stubborn pests. Diseases that may target your citrus tree include citrus canker and botrytis, which is a fungal disease that occurs during particularly wet seasons. A fungicide can help control it.

Harvesting

You will be able to harvest Meyer lemons and Key limes from your tree, though they may not both ripen at the same time. The lemons are ripe when the rind is glossy and a bright yellow. Limes, meanwhile, will have a green rind and have some give when squeezed. They are both best picked by hand, and should be stored in a cool place afterwards.

Achieving maximum results

Growing your lemon lime citrus tree in a container couldn’t be easier. Choose a container that is roughly twice the size of the tree’s root ball, with good drainage in the bottom. Plant your tree in a good-quality potting mix, watering after planting until water starts seeping out the drainage holes. You can place your tree outside in a sunny location during the summer months; bring it back inside when frost threatens. Container-grown plants tend to need more supplemental watering than those grown in the ground. Be sure to feed your tree regularly too. Occasionally wipe down the leaves to remove insects and dust, and follow that up by misting the leaves lightly.

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