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Citrus limetta (F)

sweet lime

An evergreen tree to 8m tall but generally lower in cultivation with glossy mid- to dark green leaves. Fragrant, white flowers may be produced year-round in favourable conditions but are mainly borne in spring and followed by oval, green fruits resembling limes but that ripen to yellow; the low acidity of the flesh gives the fruits a sweeter, milder flavour than limes and gives rise to one of the common names- the sweet lime

Other common names
Mediterranean sweet lime
Mediterranean sweet limetta
see moresweet lemon
sweetie
Tunisian sweet limetta
sweet lime
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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Clay
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Green
Summer Green Green
Autumn Green Green Yellow
Winter Green Green Yellow
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Rutaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Fruit harmful to skin with sunlight/skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus

Citrus are typically evergreen shrubs or trees, frequently spiny, with simple, leathery, aromatic leaves, usually with winged stalks, and often fragrant white or pink-tinged flowers, followed by large, juicy fruits

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow as a conservatory or greenhouse plant, in a container of peat-free, loam-based potting compost with added grit, in full light, with shade from hot sun. In growth during spring and summer, water freely, and mist daily. Apply fertilisers formulated for citrus, throughout the year, following the manufacturer’s instructions; water sparingly in winter. See citrus cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
  • Edible fruit
Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to citrus red spider mite and glasshouse red spider mite, soft scale and fluted scale, aphids, caterpillars and mealybugs under glass

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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