Citrus aurantiifolia Seeds | Key Lime
LATIN NAME: Citrus aurantiifolia
COMMON NAME: Key Lime
Plant Profile
Known to gardeners as Key Lime, Citrus aurantiifolia is an evergreen tree. Key lime is small, thin-skinned lime of old cocktails and old pies. Juice is a fine, sharp, aromatic juice of old recipes, and tree is a fine, easy, long-lived addition to warm, sheltered garden and large container. It is a tree of warm, sunny, well-drained ground. Through the flowering season it keeps visiting bees well supplied. Plants that offer this much while asking this little are rare enough to treasure.
Science & Biotechnology
The species features in the wider study of the Citrus group, and its traits make it a useful subject for work on germination biology, cultivation and ornamental selection. Key lime holds a steady position in plant science, and tree has been studied for small, thin-skinned fruits and fine, sharp, aromatic juice. It is the kind of species that plant scientists reach for when they need reliable material for propagation and selection studies.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Key Lime for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. Key lime pays its way in kitchen and the garden. Small, thin-skinned fruits carry fine, sharp, aromatic juice of old recipes, prized for drinks, pies and dressings of region, and fragrant, white flowers fill warm garden with their scent through the season. Small, thorny tree is a fine, easy, long-lived addition to warm, sheltered garden and large container, and glossy leaves keep it handsome through the year. It establishes readily and then requires nothing out of the ordinary.
Citrus gives far more than vitamin C: peel flavonoids such as hesperidin and naringin are studied for vascular health, the dried peels, Chen Pi and Qing Pi, are major Chinese digestive herbs, and citrus pectin is a standard soluble fiber ingredient.
Growing from Seed
Key Lime is one of those generous plants that come along well from seed. Sow thinly on the surface of a loose, well-drained seed compost, cover lightly, water in gently and keep the tray in a sunny spot with even moisture. Move strong seedlings into individual pots, keep them in good light, and set them out when the weather and their size agree.
Our Take
Within its genus it stands out for garden reliability. Given the right start, Key Lime is a long-term garden companion. Give the seed freshness and steady moisture, and nature handles the rest.
Related Reading
Gardeners who grow Key Lime often pair it with these related subjects: