Mexican Thornless Lime

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. Prune semi-annually to maintain topiary form.

All citrus trees are the perfect combination of ornamental and edible plant values, but dwarf citrus are even more versatile because they fit in limited spaces. Make this naval orange a single accent tree in gardens were fragrance can be appreciated close up. Add to foundation planting outside a window. If low foliage is left in place these double as a background foliage plant for more colorful shrubs and tropcials. Integrate into existing beds and borders. Grow orchard style in a grid or a allee for optimal care and fruit production. Outstanding small tree for large terra cotta pots in the Italian style that may be moved for winter protection in marginal areas.

Grow this orange with tropical appearing plants such as Rainbow Surprise Mirror Plant (Coprosma x 'Rainbow Surprise'), Festival Grass Cordyline, (Cordyline x 'Jurred') and Red Leafed Banana, (Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii'). It's also equally at home with a drier Mediterranean palette such as Provance English Lavender, (Lavandula x intermedia 'Provence'), BBQ Rosemary, (Rosmarinus officinalis 'BBQ') and Sun Stripe Variegated Pampas Grass, (Cortaderia selloana 'Monvin').

Citrus can be traced back over aeons to its land of origin in Southeast Asia, India, southern China and Malaysia. The lime was originally named Limonaia aurantifolia and Citrus lima, but C. aurantifolia is the recognized in 20th century name conferred by Walter Single of the USDA. This species is divided into two groups, this one among smaller Mexican or "bartenders" lime introduced by the Spanish into the Caribbean. This thornless variety was introduced in 1882 from Mexico by George Yung, among its progeny and survivors of a freeze in the 1960s produced improved forms with greater hardiness.

Limes are always in demand for tequila and other Mexican drinks and is a primary orchard crop there. It is not to be confused with the hardier Key lime which is primarily grown in Florida.