Hardy in terms of tolerant of neglect? Or hardy in terms of low temp? They are a zone 9b to 10a plant. I've read they are among the most tender of citrus. Maybe that's why they are called Key lime and not Orlando lime? I would def. keep it from temps below 32ºF/0ºC.

I would be inclined to bring it inside on nights below 40F

Steve

I have done a bit of research and they are pretty hardy to yes 9A/B. This afternoon it was planted in the ground. Today I was supposed to be in Florida, but had to stay here.. This is as close as it's going to get.

Key lime March 17 2020

I have a couple key limes..

they say they are the most tender and tropical of citrus and should never be exposed to less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit!

i have one inside year round, never gets below 60f. And one inside a grow tent with led QB lights. With year round temp of 65-82f and 62% humidity.. I have found that key lime on their own roots is VERY vigorous.

All key lime cultivation outside the US is propagated by seed, because they grow true to type, or known as polyembryony.

My key lime survived just fine in the garage during the low 20’s (F) with a heater on. If the temps dropped below 40F, I brought it in the garage. I think they do fine below 60F - mine has mature fruit hanging on and is covered in blooms. The tree is almost perpetually in bloom - extremely productive!

They sell really nice looking key limes in the local nurseries but I have resisted planting one. I would LOVE to have limes but we go below 30F most winters. I work too hard to keep my indoor humidity below 50% to want to bring a tree indoors. Here in SE Texas, the humidity outside is usually from 80-90% so I have to run an indoor dehumidifier to keep mildew from growing during periods that are mild and central air conditioning isn't needed. Has anyone tried putting marbles or similar measure in a layer over the soil surface to keep your indoor potted trees from loosing too much moisture? I know one goal is to allow the potted soil to dry a bit but I wonder if that would provide an opportunity to need to water less frequently...and reduce the amount of water evaporating from the pot into the home?

My Key has been fine outside into the upper 30s, since I wait until the last minute to bring all my citrus in. Then it spends it's winter in my basement under lights - temp upper 50s to low 60s for 3-4 months. It may be slightly more sensitive, but I've never tempted fate. I would imagine your greenhouse temps would be above 37 (which is the lowest my window therm measured), so I would expect from lack of sun more so than temps.

Overall, it’s a very good citrus for your collection. I like the key lime, it’s pretty easy to grow.

Matt, since you’ve planted yours in ground it will be safe to at least 30 degrees. Mine defoliates around 27 degrees and then comes back with a vengeance in the spring. Thorny little sucker too! Great fruit for cocktails and beers. I’d rather have a key like than a bearss lime any day, they are prolific. Congrats on your new lime it looks like a nice specimen.

Evan

My 20+ year old key lime has never had any issue. Our temperatures get into the mid 30s on occasion and it never shows any sign of distress. Ours overproduces to the point that we just don't know what to do with all the fruit. We have ripe fruit on the tree year round. We have several different types of limes and the key lime is the most productive.

I removed the lowest flowers but as you can see it's still going. Are the flowers usually that small?

Evan yes the thorns, they freakin hurt!!

April 6

It looks like I'll have my first home grown limes by Dec-Jan!

7 months in ground - Oct 14

I don't own any limes, but I enjoy getting first hand testimonials on varieties - lots of hype in catalogues, etc.. I had a eustis limequat, got one fruit and it tasted horrible, scion later croaked (its rootstock is still kicking). Sounds like a prolific small fruit that can be kept manageable, which is what an indoor/outdoor hobbyist would want. Adds to the ambiance. Although, the fact that I never buy limes, ever is a consideration. I'm a lemon guy, always keep them in the house. Maybe I'll buy a single key lime fruit next time I see it in a store.

Matt, good for you!! Will you be able to hit Florida soon? I hope

Hi thanks Mike. I didn't expect anything this year. What a pleasant surprise!

No I won't be going to the US for at least a year or more. I am moving to the greater Vancouver area on Monday. I never thought i'd be going from zone 5b to 8b-9a. Since I'm renting I can't do anything in the ground there unless I bought a small piece of land just to grow on and go from there...down the road of course :) Hope all has been well with you. stay safe!

Dec 15

I picked the first little limes. Since they were going yellow I knew they had to be ready.

Perfectly ripe with one seed. I know them being small is from the first year in the ground. I squeezed one into my lemonade, It was so good.

My key lime one season. It's a pretty productive little plant. I should hack mine back soon.

Plants get pruned, It is computers that get hacked

I'm growing a key lime from seed. It's 3 years old and about 2 ft tall. Looking forward to it getting loaded up with fruit like that!

I will put in a good word for the limequat - I have a Lakeland Limequat that makes perfect little limes. Small but very juicy! Great for cooking when you only need a little juice (like for black beans or on cut avocados). The advantage is that, being a kumquat cross, it will be more cold tolerant than the key lime.