Wholesale citrus

Thornless Mexican lime

Citrus × aurantiifolia ‘Thornless’

Also known as Mexican Thornless · Thornless Key lime

The small, sharp, aromatic Key lime on a tree without the thorns. The most frost-tender citrus we sell, so it wants the warmest wall on the property.

EdibleKey limeThornlessVery frost sensitive

Check the current program →

Landscape layersLower canopy

Mature size

Usually 10–20 ft tall and wide; rootstock and pruning change final size

Climate fit

Urban core · USDA 9b–10a · Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b · Desert outskirts · USDA 8b–9b

Special categories

EDIBLE

Hardiness guidance

Typically USDA 9–11; frost tolerance varies by cultivar and microclimate

Winter chill

None

Typical harvest

Late summer through winter; pick green for the sharpest flavor

Before you plant

These conditions determine whether it will thrive.

Required microclimate

Placement is part of the growing system.

Zone C — morning shade, hot afternoon sun, at the west end of the sunnier south-facing side. The extra heat finishes the fruit, and the wall releases warmth through frosty nights.

Right plant, right place

Will Thornless Mexican lime grow at your Arizona property?

Plant in fast-draining soil with the graft union above grade. Keep mulch away from the trunk and avoid lawn irrigation at the root crown.

Best regional fit: Urban core · USDA 9b–10a, Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b, Desert outskirts · USDA 8b–9b.

Light

Sun exposure

Full sun; young trunks and exposed scaffold limbs need sunburn protection

Water

Irrigation

Deep, regular irrigation with drying between cycles; expand the wetted zone as the canopy grows

Fruit set

Pollination

Self-fruitful

Harvest

How to use it

Juice, drinks, pies, and cooking

Planting & stewardship

How to help Thornless Mexican lime thrive

1
Verify both the named cultivar and rootstock on the nursery tag before planting.
2
Whitewash newly exposed bark and protect cold-sensitive trees during hard freezes.
3
Feed in several light applications during the active season rather than one heavy dose.
4
Let fruit color and flavor—not a calendar date alone—confirm harvest readiness.

Read the horticultural reference ↗