Can you grow a lime tree from seed? Yes. You can grow lime tree from seed, and Key (Mexican) lime comes true to type because its seeds are highly polyembryonic, per UF/IFAS. Sow seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6 to 13 mm) deep; they emerge in 2 to 3 weeks. Seedlings fruit in about 3 to 6 years.
Key takeaway: If you want to grow lime tree from seed, the type of lime matters most. University of Florida IFAS Extension says Key lime is often propagated from seed because it comes true to type, while the common grocery Persian (Tahiti) lime is usually seedless. This guide covers seed choice, germination, potting and how long a seedling takes to fruit.
| Step or Fact | Lime From Seed | Source |
|---|---|---|
| True to type? | Key lime yes (polyembryonic); Tahiti seedlings vary | UF/IFAS; Purdue (Morton) |
| Seeds per Key lime | 10 to 15 | UF/IFAS CH092 |
| Planting depth | 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6 to 13 mm) | UF/IFAS HS1309 |
| Speed-up trick | Remove seed coat or soak 8 hours in aerated water | UF/IFAS HS1309 |
| Emergence | 2 to 3 weeks in warm, moist conditions | UF/IFAS HS1309 |
| Years to fruit (seedling) | 3 to 6 years; full crop at 8 to 10 | Purdue (Morton) |
| Cold limit | Leaf damage at 30 to 32°F (−1 to 0°C) | UF/IFAS CH092 |
Can You Grow a Lime From a Store-Bought Seed?
Only if your lime has seeds, and Key limes are the best bet. Purdue’s Morton notes the Tahiti (Persian) lime, the usual supermarket lime, is usually seedless and its rare seeds give highly variable seedlings. Key limes hold 10 to 15 seeds that UF/IFAS calls highly polyembryonic, meaning one seed can sprout two or more plants identical to the mother tree.
- Key or Mexican lime: best choice to grow lime tree from seed true to type.
- Persian/Tahiti lime: usually seedless; seedlings vary widely.
- Off-types: UF/IFAS HS1309 says weak or unusual seedlings from the zygotic embryo should be removed.
- Self-fruitful: Key lime does not need cross-pollination, per UF/IFAS.
How Do You Germinate a Lime Seed, and How Long Does It Take?
To grow lime tree from seed, plant fresh, cleaned seed shallowly in warm, moist mix. UF/IFAS HS1309 says citrus seed goes 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6 to 13 mm) deep in sterile potting medium, and removing the seed coat or soaking seeds in aerated water for about eight hours speeds germination. Under ideal conditions with sunlight, warm soil and moisture, seedlings emerge within 2 to 3 weeks.
- Rinse the pulp off the seeds.
- Peel the thin outer seed coat, or soak seeds about 8 hours.
- Sow 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6 to 13 mm) deep in sterile seed mix.
- Keep the mix moist and warm, around 75 to 85°F (24 to 29°C) (our guidance).
- Give bright light as soon as sprouts appear.
- Thin to the strongest seedling if one seed makes several sprouts.
UF/IFAS adds that rootstock growers usually dry and cool-store seed at 40 to 45°F (4 to 7°C) before planting, but home growers can sow fresh seed (our guidance).
Will a Lime Grown From Seed Ever Fruit?
Yes, though it takes longer than a grafted tree. When you grow lime tree from seed, you trade speed for low cost. Purdue’s Morton reports Mexican lime seedlings begin to fruit in 3 to 6 years and reach full production in 8 to 10 years. UF/IFAS says grafted Key lime trees usually fruit within three years and seedlings take another year or two. Juvenility is the reason, per UF/IFAS HS1309.
- Patience: expect your first limes around year 4 or 5.
- Thorns: juvenile seedlings are often thornier (our guidance).
- Yield: a vigorous mature Key lime can give 30 to 50 lb (13 to 23 kg) a year.
- Faster option: cuttings or air layers may fruit within a year, per UF/IFAS.
So if you grow lime tree from seed, choose Key lime for fruit that matches the parent.
What Pot and Care Do Lime Seedlings Need?
Lime is very frost-sensitive, so most US growers who grow lime tree from seed keep it in a pot. UF/IFAS says leaves are damaged at 30 to 32°F (−1 to 0°C) and wood dies below 29°F (−2°C). Use a free-draining citrus mix, give full sun or a strong grow light, and bring the pot inside before frost.
- Training: UF/IFAS HS1309 trains seedlings to one stem with no branches in the first 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm).
- Watering: water when the top inch (2.5 cm) dries (our guidance).
- Feeding: use a citrus fertilizer during spring and summer (our guidance).
- Containers: see hydroponic dwarf fruit trees for potted fruit ideas.
Can You Grow a Lime Seedling Hydroponically?
You can start one soilless, and it is a fun way to grow lime tree from seed in a small space. Lime seed sprouts well in peat pellets or coco, then moves to a pot of soilless mix (our guidance). No extension guide covers growing a fruiting lime tree in hydroponics, so treat that as an experiment. Indoors, flowers need hand pollination help to set fruit reliably (our guidance).
- Media: see coco coir vs peat moss.
- Pollination: see indoor pollination.
- Bonsai style: see hydroponic bonsai.
Many people grow lime tree from seed as a houseplant first and treat fruit as a bonus.
FAQ About How to Grow Lime Tree From Seed
How long does it take to grow lime tree from seed to fruit?
About 3 to 6 years for Mexican/Key lime.
Will my lime seedling be like the parent?
Key lime usually is; Tahiti lime seedlings vary.
Do lime seeds need cold stratification?
No; sow them warm and moist.
Why does one lime seed grow two sprouts?
Polyembryony; extra sprouts are clones of the mother.
How deep should I plant lime seeds?
1/4 to 1/2 inch (6 to 13 mm).
Can a lime tree grow indoors?
Yes in a sunny spot or under a grow light.
Sources
- University of Florida IFAS Extension — Key Lime Growing in the Florida Home Landscape (CH092)
- University of Florida IFAS Extension — Citrus Propagation (HS1309)
- Purdue University, Morton’s Fruits of Warm Climates — Mexican Lime
- Purdue University, Morton’s Fruits of Warm Climates — Tahiti Lime
- Photo credits (Wikimedia Commons, edited with titles): Ripekeylime by Averette at English Wikipedia (CC BY 3.0); Citrus latifolia in Ludres by PierreSelim (CC BY 3.0)