A Tahiti (Persian) lime tree is a great citrus tree to grow. We take a look at some practical tips to help you succeed in growing your own Tahiti limes.
In the past few decades, lime fruit has enjoyed a huge boost in popularity. People are putting limes in their pies, juices, and cakes, and using them as garnishes on a variety of dishes.
Because lime is such a versatile fruit, growing your own Tahiti (Persian) lime tree can be very beneficial. But, how do you grow a Tahiti lime tree?
Check out this guide to learn the top tips for growing this type of citrus tree.
1. Feeding and Watering
Just like other citrus trees, Tahiti lime trees are heavy feeders that need to be fertilized every couple of months.
After planting, to feed your lime tree, use citrus plant food or a slow-release fertilizer that comes with extra nitrogen.
When feeding your lime tree, use a third amount of the recommended fertilizer and place the fertilizer into the top couple inches of the soil.
In terms of watering, your lime tree needs to be consistently moisturized in order to grow. When your soil is dry to about 6 inches deep, then it's time to water it. Never let the lime tree dry out completely, as this will cause the leaves to wilt.
2. Pruning
At the bottom of lime trees, rootstock branches or suckers grow that do not produce the desired variety of citrus. You should use your pruners to cut off these branches.
It's also okay to cut the thorns off the branches, as this won't harm the lime tree. This will also make handling the tree easier, and it'll result in fewer scratches when it's time to pick the fruit.
3. Cold Protection
It's also very important to keep your lime tree protected from the cold, as Tahiti lime trees prefer to be in environments that are over 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you live in a cold-weather area, you should plant the tree in a container and then bring your tree indoors during the wintertime. The best location for an indoor Tahiti lime tree is usually near a sunny south-facing window.
If you leave your tree outside, string lights around it and cover the tree with a blanket to keep it warm.
Our Grow Light Recommendation
We love SANSI 24W LED grow lights. They have a clean white light because they are full spectrum. They have all the right mix of light spectrum for growth, leaf flush, flower blossoming, and fruit set. 24 watts is a good amount of power for indoor lighting. We recommend placing the grow light anywhere from 6 to 18 inches away from your tree.
Your tree needs 12-16 hours of light a day. You can be very flexible with your light. You can keep it on for many days straight. However, all citrus trees need some dark time.
You can easily use one grow light for 1-3 trees. An easy way is to use one light on a tree for 24 hours at a time.
All grow lights get hot. We prefer SANSI because they use ceramic sinks to dissipate the heat. We have found the majority of grow lights on Amazon to have disturbing safety profiles. Use standard safety precautions, don't let babies and pets stare directly into the light or touch the heat from the grow light!
Our socket/clamp Recommendation:
We recommend the following clamp for your tree. It has a UL certified socket, electrical cord included as well. And it fits the Sansi bulb!
4. Harvesting
So, when is it time to pick your Tahiti limes?
When limes are completely ripe, they turn yellow. Many people think that yellow indicated that the lime is overripe or that they accidentally purchased lemons.
However, this is because limes are commercially marketed as a green fruit, so most farmers pick them while they're still green.
If you want to get the most flavor from your limes, pick them while they're still green with a light yellow tint.
Are You Ready to Grow a Tahiti Lime Tree?
With these tips in mind, you should be ready to grow your own Tahiti lime tree. Check out more of our citrus blog for additional helpful citrus information!
Growing Trees is fun, and every tree we send comes with a 20-page care guide.
