Wholesale citrus
Mexican Key lime
Citrus × aurantiifoliaAlso known as Key lime · Mexican lime
The small, intensely aromatic culinary lime; extremely frost sensitive and best reserved for the warmest protected microclimate.
Check the current program →Before you plant
These conditions determine whether it will thrive.
Zone C — morning shade, hot afternoon sun, at the west end of the sunnier south-facing side. The extra heat finishes the fruit, and the wall releases warmth through frosty nights.
Right plant, right place
Will Mexican Key lime grow at your Arizona property?
Plant in fast-draining soil with the graft union above grade. Keep mulch away from the trunk and avoid lawn irrigation at the root crown.
Best regional fit: Urban core · USDA 9b–10a, Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b, Desert outskirts · USDA 8b–9b.
Light
Sun exposure
Full sun; young trunks and exposed scaffold limbs need sunburn protection
Water
Irrigation
Deep, regular irrigation with drying between cycles; expand the wetted zone as the canopy grows
Fruit set
Pollination
Self-fruitful
Harvest
How to use it
Pies, drinks, marinades, and fresh juice
Planting & stewardship
How to help Mexican Key lime thrive
- 1
Verify both the named cultivar and rootstock on the nursery tag before planting.
- 2
Whitewash newly exposed bark and protect cold-sensitive trees during hard freezes.
- 3
Feed in several light applications during the active season rather than one heavy dose.
- 4
Let fruit color and flavor—not a calendar date alone—confirm harvest readiness.