Key Lime (Citrus × aurantiifolia or C. aurantifolia)

Small Air Layered from fruiting mother plant, about 2+ years. 

The Citrus Aurantiifolia is the perfect plant for your home. You can grow these plants in whichever container you like. These plants can surely flourish if you live in an area with a temperate climate. The lush green-leaved and white and pink blossoms can be the perfect aesthetic for your home. You can grow these plants, enjoy the fruits of your labor, and make delicious Key lime pie. 

Fresh key lime juice is preferred for flavoring marinades, making limeade, and garnishing drinks and plates due to its tantalizing bouquet and unique flavor. The juice is used for syrups and, of course, key lime pie.

Air layered Key Lime plants will produce fruit much earlier than the seedling grown equivalent. 

Plant Care

• Soil: Prefers well-draining, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
• Watering: Water deeply and regularly, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
• Temperature: Thrives in temperatures between 15°C and 30°C. Protect from frost.
• Light: Full sun is essential for optimal growth and fruit production.
• Fertilising: Use a citrus-specific NPK fertilizer with micronutrients, typically a ratio like 6-3-3, every four to six weeks during the growing season.
• Pruning: Prune to shape, improve airflow, and remove dead or diseased branches in late winter or early spring.
• Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base to help retain moisture and suppress weeds, but keep it away from the trunk.
• Pest Control: Monitor for citrus pests such as scale, mites, and citrus leaf miner. Treat with appropriate insecticides or natural remedies.
• Flowering and Fruiting: Blooms in spring with fruit development continuing through summer and into fall, depending on the variety.
• Potting: Suitable for container growing, especially dwarf varieties. Ensure containers have good drainage.
• Feeding Regime: Increase feeding frequency during peak growing and fruiting periods.