Mexican Key Lime
Citrus x aurantiifolia
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
| Under $50 | $9.99 |
| $50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
| $100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
| $150 - $198.99 | $24.99 |
| $199+ | FREE |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
| 4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
| 4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
| 6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
| 1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
| 5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
| #1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
| 5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
| #3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
| Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| #5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
| #6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
| #7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Sentry™ Protected
Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Plant Profile & Growing Essentials
Flowering, Fragrant, Attracts pollinators, and Edible
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Botanical Name
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Height
-
Width
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Growing Zones
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Sunlight
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Growth RateModerate
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Flower Color
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Leaf Color
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Pollinator FriendlyYes
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FragrantYes
-
Bloom PeriodEarly Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Late Fall
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Does Not Ship ToAK, AZ, CA, FL, GA, HI, ID, LA, MT, NV, TX
Few homegrown fruits deliver the satisfaction of plucking a ripe Key Lime (Citrus x aurantiifolia) straight from your own tree. Also known as Mexican Lime, West Indian Lime, or Bartender's Lime, this is the authentic lime that gives Key lime pie its distinctive tangy-floral flavor and makes a proper margarita sing.
A Compact Citrus with Big Flavor
Key Lime grows as a dense, rounded tree or large shrub reaching 6-12 feet tall with an equal spread. The glossy, dark green foliage stays evergreen year-round, creating an attractive specimen even when not in fruit. Small thorns dot the branches, a reminder of this lime's closer ties to wild citrus ancestors than its larger, thornless Persian lime cousins.
The small fruits, typically 1-2 inches in diameter, pack an aromatic punch that larger grocery store limes simply cannot match. The thin, smooth skin turns from green to yellowish-green when fully ripe, and the pale greenish-yellow flesh is seedier but far more complex in flavor than Persian limes.
Year-Round Beauty and Production
In frost-free climates, Key Lime blooms sporadically throughout the year, with the heaviest flowering in spring. The small white flowers are intensely fragrant, filling the garden with a sweet citrus perfume that attracts bees and butterflies. Because the tree flowers multiple times annually, you can often find blooms, developing fruit, and ripe limes on the same plant simultaneously.
Expect your first harvest 2-3 years after planting. A mature tree can produce dozens of limes per year, more than enough for pies, drinks, marinades, and sharing with neighbors.
Perfect for Containers
Key Lime's compact size makes it one of the best citrus choices for container growing. Gardeners in zones 8 and colder can grow Key Lime in a large pot, moving it outdoors to a sunny patio in summer and into a bright, cool room (55-65°F) for winter. The tree will drop some leaves during the transition but recovers quickly once conditions stabilize.
Choose a container at least 18-24 inches in diameter with excellent drainage. Use a quality citrus potting mix and be prepared to water more frequently than in-ground trees, sometimes daily during hot weather.
Culinary Versatility
Once you taste a homegrown Key Lime, you will understand why professional chefs and bakers insist on them. The juice is more aromatic and nuanced than Persian lime, with floral notes that elevate everything from ceviche to Thai curries to a simple gin and tonic. The zest is equally prized, adding bright citrus punch to desserts and seafood dishes.
