Light:

Full sun (southern exposure) or partial sun (east or west exposure).

Temperature:

Exception:

As a potted plant, maintain indoor temperatures above 40 degrees.  During the winter, however, temperatures above 60 degrees are preferred in order for the plant to absorb nutrients and maintain active growth.

The Citrus aurantifolia “Key Lime” is a tropical citrus and requires that indoor temperatures be maintained above 60 degrees.  It will not tolerate temperatures below that.

Humidity:

Preferably 50% or higher; however they will tolerate low levels with no harm.

Watering:

Bring soil to a state of visual dryness between watering.  It’s best to grow in a clay pot, which will help with increasing air exchange in the root zone.  When repotting, don’t over-pot.  Keeping them a little under-potted creates a healthier environment for the root system.

Fertilizer:

Go easy on the fertilizer: ½ tsp./gallon every two weeks.  Excessive fertilization can create difficulties in culture, so it’s best to err on the lean side.

Pruning:

Prune young plants to encourage branching.  This will help create a bushy plant and stronger limbs to hold the heavy fruit.  The best time to prune is late spring after flowering and when in active growth.

Insects and Disease:

For the most part, citrus is not highly susceptible to insects.  However, they will attract scale, mealybugs, and mites if infected plants are nearby. Citrus plants in general are susceptible to root disease, but following the water recommendations and keeping temperatures no lower than 60 degrees will help negate the problem.

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