How to Grow Lime Seeds – A Step-by-Step Guide

January 22, 2025 by Simply Bloom

Hello, I bought some lime fruit seeds and would like to grow a lime plant for fun. But there is no single seed in the lime fruit. Is this normal? The limes we can buy are small and dark green. A long time ago I grew a huge lemon plant out of seeds from lemons. Is it normal that limes do not have seeds?.

Growing lime trees from seeds can be an enjoyable gardening project. While it does require some patience, as it may take 3-5 years for the tree to bear fruit, the reward of harvesting fresh limes from your own tree makes it worthwhile. In this article, I’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to grow lime seeds successfully

Why Grow Lime Trees from Seeds?

Here are some of the benefits of growing lime trees from seeds:

Cost Savings – Purchasing a nursery lime tree can be expensive, starting at $40 and going up to over $60 per tree. Lime seeds are very affordable, usually $1-2 for a pack
Fun Gardening Project – Starting plants from seeds, watching them sprout and grow, is an engaging process, especially for kids.
Customizable – With seed-grown trees, you can choose the container type, soil mix, and care methods.

Fruit Variety – Seed-grown trees produce unique fruit variations, unlike grafted nursery trees which are clones.
Earlier Fruiting – Seed-grown citrus often fruits a little earlier, in 2-3 years compared to 4-5 years.

Step 1: Select High Quality Lime Seeds

The first step is to obtain fresh lime seeds. Here are some tips:

Purchase seeds intended for growing, not eating. Grocery lime seeds may be hybrids or treated.
Buy from a reputable seller. Look for organic, non-GMO seeds.

Choose polyembryonic seeds, which grow true-to-type fruit.
Select seeds from citrus varieties suitable for your climate. Key limes and Persian limes are good choices.
Examine seeds. Reject any that are malformed, damaged or very dry looking.

Step 2: Extract and Prepare Lime Seeds

Once you’ve purchased or harvested fresh lime seeds:

Rinse the seeds gently under cool running water.

Carefully remove any pulp remnants clinging to the seeds.
Allow seeds to air dry for 1-2 days. Spread them on a plate or paper towel.
Inspect again and remove any bad seeds. Healthy ones will be firm and white inside.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.

Step 3: Planting Lime Seeds

Here are tips for planting lime seeds correctly:

Choose Containers

Select pots or trays at least 12 inches wide and deep, with drainage holes.
Smaller containers will need frequent repotting as the tree grows.
Shallow trays allow you to plant more seeds and thin later.

Use a Soilless Potting Mix

A sterile, soilless mix prevents damping off disease.
Look for a citrus mix or combine peat moss, perlite and vermiculite.
Soilless mixes drain well but still hold moisture.

Plant Seeds 1/4 to 1/2 Inch Deep

Plant 2-3 seeds in each pot, spaced 2 inches apart.
Cover seeds with 1/4 to 1/2 inch of potting mix.
Seeds need light to germinate but must stay moist.

Water and Provide Warmth

Water soil thoroughly after planting. Keep moist, not soggy.
Maintain 65°F to 80°F temperatures for fast germination.
Consider a seedling heat mat if climate is cool.

Cover pots with plastic wrap to retain moisture.

Step 4: Caring for Seedlings

Once sprouted, baby lime trees require attentive care:

Provide Bright Light

When first true leaves appear, move to direct sunlight.
Turn pots frequently and rotate between sunny windows.
Supplement natural light with 14-16 hours of fluorescent growing lights.

Watch Watering Carefully

Check soil moisture daily, water when surface is dry. Don’t oversaturate.
Seedlings are prone to damping off from wet soil. Allow pots to drain fully.
As plants grow, gradually increase watering frequency. Mature trees need generous water.

Fertilize Lightly

Begin fertilizing when seedlings are 3-4 inches tall.
Use 1/4 strength or citrus fertilizer, applying every 2-3 weeks initially.
Increase fertilizer strength as seedlings grow. Follow label directions.

Transplant Seedlings

When plants have 4-6 true leaves, transplant into individual containers.
Choose 3-5 gallon pots with drainage. Use fresh potting mix.
Handle seedlings gently by stems and minimize root disturbance.

Water thoroughly after repotting and shelter from sun a few days.

Step 5: Growing On Young Lime Trees

In their first year or two, newly transplanted limes require attentive care:

Protect from Frost and Cold

Young citrus are very sensitive to frost and cold temperatures.
Move potted trees indoors or under cover when temperature drops below 45°F.

Provide Even Moisture

Check soil daily, water when slightly dry 2-4 inches deep.

Lime trees need consistent moisture, especially while establishing.
Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings for best growth.

Fertilize Regularly

Feed with a balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during growing season.

Increase to a regular citrus fertilizer when trees begin blooming.
Avoid high nitrogen formulas which stress young trees.

Prune for Shape

Begin light pruning when trees are 2-3 feet tall.

Remove crossing branches and dense inward growth to shape an open canopy.
Retain the central leader and outward growing lateral branches.

Step 6: Caring for Maturing Lime Trees

As seed-grown lime trees mature and approach fruiting age, a few adjustments are needed:

Provide Maximum Sunlight

Move trees outdoors in summer to a sheltered, sunny spot.
Rotate pots weekly for even sun exposure.

Acclimate to outdoor conditions gradually if moving from indoors.

Repot Annually

Switch to 10+ gallon containers as trees grow over 3 feet.
Refresh potting mix yearly to provide nutrition and drainage.

Prune roots if potbound before repotting.

Increase Water and Nutrition

Mature trees need more water, up to 2-3 times weekly in summer.
Feed with citrus fertilizer every 6-8 weeks during growth periods.

Monitor soil moisture and nutrition needs closely.

Ongoing Pruning

Remove suckers and inward facing branches annually.
Retain open vase shape and outward growth.

Prune after fruiting to shape and stimulate new growth.

Step 7: Harvest Homegrown Limes

Once your seed-grown lime trees begin flowering and producing fruit, you can start enjoying the rewards:

Wait until limes are fully sized and glossy green before picking.
Clip ripened limes from the tree, leaving the stems attached.
A mature tree can produce 50-200 limes per season.

Harvest regularly, as limes left on the tree will hinder new flower production.
Enjoy immediately or store limes in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.
Use fresh in drinks, recipes, and preserves like lime juice or marmalade.

Growing lime trees from seeds takes time and care, but being able to pluck fresh, homegrown limes is well worth the effort. With the right planting techniques and attentive maintenance through each stage of growth, you’ll be rewarded with an abundant lime harvest within a few years.

how to grow lime seeds

Growing a Lime Tree | creative explained

FAQ

Is lime easy to grow?

Lime Tree Care. Growing a Persian lime is easy as long as you provide it with the proper care; here are some requirements that will help your lime tree thrive: Provide your lime tree with full sun, for at least six hours. Ensure your tree is given enough water and proper drainage.

Should I soak lime seeds before planting?

When you start Kaffir lime seedlings from dry seeds, soak the seeds for a couple of hours before putting them in the soil to soften the seed shell. The wet seeds will feel a little bit slimy but that is common for lime seeds. Once the seedlings develop a second set of true leaves, put them in a slightly bigger pot.

How do limes grow if they don’t have seeds?

Limes sold in supermarkets are generally seedless, much like seedless watermelons. These are naturally occurring, but growers use a method of grafting to “clone” the lime trees. They take a limb of the tree and replant it, and generally the “clone” is able to produce fruits.

Can you grow a lime tree from seed?

Yes, it is possible to grow a lime tree from seed! You must first find a lime with seeds inside, like key limes. After harvesting the seeds, you can plant them to grow your own baby lime trees. In this post I am providing instructions for growing a key lime tree from seed.

Are lime trees easy to grow?

Lime trees are a popular choice for home gardeners, thanks to their delicious fruit and relatively easy care requirements. While most citrus seeds are easy to grow, lime trees grown from seed have some unique characteristics and challenges.

Can you grow a lime tree from a polyembryonic seed?

Polyembryonic seeds, or true seeds, will generally produce identical plants, however. These can normally be purchased from reputable nurseries specializing in citrus trees. Keep in mind that other contributing factors, like climate and soil, also affect the overall production and taste of lime tree fruit.

How do you grow lime seeds from a ripe lime fruit?

First things first, you need to get seeds from a ripe lime fruit. Make sure the lime is nice and ripe to give your seeds the best start. Open the lime up and take out the seeds that look big and dark. Keep in mind that not every lime variety will have seeds in it. Some, like the Bearss limes, are seedless.

How do you grow a key lime?

Shallow-cut a key lime crosswise so that you see all the beautiful sections. Twist the two halves to separate. Remove any visible key lime seeds and set them aside. Squeeze the juice for use in baking, cocktails, or other drinks. Remove any additional seeds. Now, gently remove the outer seed coat to help the lime seeds germinate.

How do you grow a baby lime tree?

Create a small hole in the center and drop the germinated key lime seed inside. Cover the sprouted seed with more soil. Water lightly and evenly and place the newly potted lime seedling in a sunny window or underneath some grow lights. Be sure to check on your new baby lime tree regularly.

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