Key Lime vs. Meyer lemon

10 years ago

Hi! I live in Maryland and have successfully grown a Meyer lemon tree and some other lime variety (standard lime - I rescued it as a tiny plant from a local nursery and it has grown and produced well). My Meyer lemon probably produced 34-38 lemons last year. I keep the pots outdoors as long as I can and bring them indoors to a sunny room in winter and early spring. I am considering buying a Key lime to add to my collection. However, I have looked through multiple posts and have some questions. 1) How difficult are they to grow vs. a Meyer lemon?

2) How prolific is the plant likely to be vs. a Meyer lemon? I have seen that some plants have very high yields. I just don't want to spend time and money on a plant that will not produce much

3) Which is the best grower to buy these from? I purchased my Meyer lemons from fast growing trees and have been happy with them.

I appreciate any help and insights you can share!

Featured Answer

evdesert 9B Indio, CA

10 years ago

My key lime trees produce year round in the desert. They are extremely prolific, I end up with more key limes than I can eat, use, giveaway to friends. I purchased a key lime from fast growing trees for a relative in Virginia and it was a very nice tree. It was about 4' tall and grafted and cost about $60 delivered which is a good deal. Another reliable source would be four winds growers here in California. Harris nursery in Florida has good reviews too although I cannot vouch for them myself. Only problem is you'd probably have to wait until spring to mail order since most reputable companies won't send trees when there's a chance for cold weather. Hope this helps.

Evan

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Comments (9)

Laura LaRosa (7b)
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you Evan! That does help!

I wonder though how differently it may behave here in MD. We certainly get less light than you do in the dessert, although we certainly have more humidity, which they must like. I read that their production is very much linked to hours of sunlight. I am a native of South Florida, so I can certainly understand that...lots of sun there!
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User
10 years ago
I have a lot of containerized Citrus which like you, keep outside most of the year then protect over the colder months. I do grow both Meyer's and Key Lime. I would not say one is more fragile than the other or more or less productive but there are differences.

Key Limes are more compact but much thornier compared to a lot of Citrus (though there is a thornless variety I believe). They are also somewhat more cold sensitive. Their tart flavor is unique in recipes, but I do prefer the Persian Lime (a bigger tree even when immature).

A nice thing about the Meyer's is the incredible fragrance of flowers (not as intense on Key Limes). As a containerized grower, I do prefer the relatively dwarf Kumquats. They offer good to excellent cold resistance, are thornless and productive. There is even a lime X Kumquat hybrid. If do go with a Key Lime, just be sure to avoid frost it. Good luck!
Laura LaRosa (7b)
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you again! I love my citrus trees and recently went a bit hog wild and got two more meyer lemons. I am getting low on space, so I wanted to make sure it would be worth it to get the key lime. I wonder if what I have is a Persian lime. It was a little pathetic plant that was on clearance at a local nursery...I felt sorry for it and bought it. Well, it is now rivaling the size of my big Meyer lemon. I think I am going to go for the Key lime and see how it works. Thank you!
evdesert 9B Indio, CA
10 years ago
What you have is probably a Persian lime, aka Bearss lime, aka Tahitian lime if it produces the larger limes normally found in the grocery store. It's all the same plant with different names depending what region of the world you're in when describing it.
Laura LaRosa (7b)
Original Author
10 years ago
Yes evdesert, they do look like grocery store limes. Very juicy though! I ordered the Key lime!! Very excited! It will ship out Monday from what they said. I'll update when I have it!
pip313
10 years ago
Who did you order from?
Laura LaRosa (7b)
Original Author
10 years ago
I ordered from Key Lime Pie Trees. It's a nursery in LA. Have you heard of them?
Laura LaRosa (7b)
Original Author
10 years ago
I ordered a 3-4ft tree