How to grow Lime Tree in New Zealand
Limes are the most frost-tender of the common citrus, but in a warm, sunny, sheltered spot a Tahitian or Bearss lime gives juicy, seedless fruit through winter. They suit the warm north and sheltered, sun-trapped gardens further south, and they grow well in pots that can be moved under cover. A makrut lime is grown mostly for its fragrant leaves.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Lime Tree in New Zealand
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | October to December | |
| Auckland | October to December | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | October to December | |
| Central North Island | Not suited | Too frost tender for the plateau. Keep a Tahitian lime in a pot moved under cover for winter. |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | October to December | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | October to December | |
| Canterbury | Not suited | Too frost tender for Canterbury. Keep a Tahitian lime in a pot moved under cover for winter. |
| Otago & Southland | Not suited | Too frost tender for Otago and Southland. Keep a Tahitian lime in a pot moved under cover for winter. |
| Central Otago | Not suited | Too frost tender for Central Otago. Keep a Tahitian lime in a pot moved under cover for winter. |
Where to plant
Limes need warmth, plenty of sun and shelter from cold winds, and they are sensitive to heavy frosts. Plant them where they are protected from winter frost, such as a sunny north-facing wall or a courtyard. Most citrus will not tolerate temperatures much below minus 2°C, and limes are more tender than lemons.
Drainage is essential: on clay add gypsum and plant into a raised mound of free-draining soil. Keep grass and weeds clear of the root zone and mulch wide, keeping mulch off the trunk.
- Northland, Auckland and coastal Waikato and Bay of Plenty: the best districts. Plant from October to December in a frost-free, sunny spot.
- Wellington and Nelson and Marlborough: plant in a warm, sheltered, sun-trapped spot, or grow a dwarf lime in a pot. Bearss is the safer choice where light frosts occur.
- Central North Island, Canterbury, Otago and Southland, and Central Otago: too frost tender for the garden. Keep a dwarf lime in a pot that moves under cover for winter.
Choosing a variety
| Variety | Notes |
|---|---|
| Tahitian | A vigorous tree to about 2 to 4 m with drooping branches and few thorns. Seedless, very juicy, acidic fruit, green on the tree and turning pale yellow when fully ripe |
| Bearss | Closely related to Tahitian, with medium-sized, seedless, tangy, very juicy fruit. Compact and almost thornless; Yates NZ rates it the best adapted lime for New Zealand gardens with occasional light frost |
| Makrut (kaffir) lime | Grown mainly for its fragrant double leaves used in Thai cooking; the bumpy fruit gives little juice. Not tolerant of real cold, but compact and good in pots |
| Key lime | Small, aromatic fruit, usually ready a little earlier, around April |
All citrus are self fertile, so one tree will fruit. Dwarf trees on Flying Dragon rootstock suit pots.
How to plant
- Plant in spring once the soil is warm and frosts are over. In frost-free areas you can plant from late autumn through spring.
- Water the tree well in its pot. Dig in compost or sheep pellets and dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and no deeper.
- Tease out circling roots and plant at the same depth as in the pot, with the graft union above the soil.
- Backfill, firm gently, make a ring of soil to hold water and water in well. Stake the tree.
- Mulch wide with woodchip or pea straw, keeping it clear of the trunk.
Watering and feeding
Water deeply once or twice a week, and more in hot, dry summer weather. Limes need the most water over the warmer months, but do not let them sit in wet soil.
Feed in spring and summer with a citrus fertiliser rich in potassium and magnesium, spread around the drip line and watered in. Yellowing between the veins of older leaves often means magnesium is short, which Epsom salts around the drip line corrects.
Pruning and care through the year
- Remove fruit that sets in the first year or two so the tree builds a strong frame.
- Prune lightly to shape and remove dead wood, avoiding September and October when lemon tree borer is laying eggs, or seal the cuts.
- Cover young trees with frost cloth on cold nights.
- Rub off shoots from below the graft union.
Harvesting
Tahitian and Bearss limes are mostly ready from late autumn through winter; Yates NZ gives June to August, and in warm spots picking can start from about April. Pick them when they are a lighter green, smooth, heavy and slightly soft when gently squeezed. If left on the tree they turn pale yellow and are still juicy.
Limes keep about a week on the bench and three to four weeks in the fridge, and the juice freezes well. Pick makrut lime leaves as needed all year.
Growing in pots
Choose a dwarf lime and a pot at least 50 cm wide filled with citrus and fruit potting mix, in full sun. Water deeply two or three times a week in warm weather and feed regularly through spring and summer. In cooler districts put the pot on wheels so it can move into shelter or under cover for winter, and pot it up into a larger container as it grows.
Companion planting
Citrus do best with the root zone clear of competition. Low plants that feed the soil can grow near the edge of the canopy.
Good companions
- Comfrey Its leaves can be cut and laid under the tree as a mulch that feeds the soil. Keep it away from the trunk, as it is hard to remove once planted.
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to lime tree.
- Lawn and weeds Grass and weeds in the root zone compete with the citrus roots for water and food.
Pests and diseases
Limes share the pests of other New Zealand citrus. Frost does more damage than pests in most gardens.
Pests to watch for
- Leaf miner Silvery, winding trails in new leaves, which curl and distort.
- Scale Small bumps on stems and leaves with sticky honeydew, sooty mould and ants.
- Guava moth Small entry holes and caterpillars tunnelling in the fruit, mainly in Northland and Auckland.
- Lemon tree borer Twigs that wilt and brown in early summer, and small round holes with frass in branches.
Diseases to watch for
- Melanose Small, raised, dark brown spots on leaves and fruit, spread from dead twigs in wet weather.
Common questions
Which lime grows best in New Zealand?
Tahitian and Bearss are the two most popular. Yates NZ rates Bearss as the best adapted for New Zealand gardens with occasional light frost. Both give seedless, juicy fruit.
When are limes ripe?
Mostly from late autumn through winter. Pick when the fruit is a lighter green, smooth, heavy and slightly soft when squeezed. Limes left on the tree turn pale yellow and are still good to use.
Can I grow a lime tree in Christchurch?
Not in the open garden, as limes are too frost tender. Grow a dwarf lime in a pot in a sunny spot and move it into a glasshouse, conservatory or sheltered porch for winter.
Why are my lime tree leaves yellow?
Yellowing between the veins of older leaves usually means a magnesium shortage, fixed with Epsom salts around the drip line. Even yellowing may mean the tree needs feeding, and cold or waterlogged roots also cause yellow leaves in winter.
Can I grow a lime in a pot?
Yes. Choose a dwarf variety and a pot at least 50 cm wide with citrus mix. Water and feed more often than a tree in the ground, and move it under cover in cold districts.
What is a makrut lime used for?
Mainly its fragrant double leaves, used fresh or frozen in Thai curries, soups and stir-fries. The bumpy fruit has little juice, but the zest is also used.
Sources we checked: Tui: Lime growing guide; Yates NZ: How to grow limes; Incredible Edibles: Citrus (Bearss, Tahitian and Kaffir lime).