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types of lime trees nz

If you’re dreaming of adding a zesty twist to your garden and kitchen, exploring the types of lime trees NZ gardeners can grow is a great place to start. Limes thrive in New Zealand’s temperate climate, offering not only decorative value but also an abundant harvest of tangy fruit perfect for drinks, desserts, and savoury dishes. Understanding the different types of lime trees NZ offers will help you pick the right variety for your backyard or patio. Whether you’re a citrus enthusiast or a beginner gardener, growing limes can be a rewarding and fruitful endeavour.

'Bearss' Lime green fruit.

Lime Bearss

5 from 1 customers

The 'Bearss' Lime, also known as Persian or Tahitian lime, is a vigorous, nearly thornless citrus tree that thrives in New Zealand’s warmer regions. It produces medium-sized, seedless green limes with a tangy, juicy flavour ideal for cooking and drinks. This evergreen tree grows 3–5 m tall and can fruit year-round in favourable conditions.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Citrus
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Garden uses: Containers, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Modern
A 'Tahitian' Lime tree with green fruit and lush, green foliage.

Lime Tahitian

5 from 3 customers

The 'Tahitian' Lime is a popular and quick-growing shrub that bears masses of medium-sized fruit that are juicy, strongly scented, and have that typical lime flavour. They begin green in summer and ripen to pale yellow in winter. This heavy-cropping, evergreen typically grows to 3 m tall and the same wide, but can be trimmed as necessary.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Citrus
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Containers, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern
tilia-cordata-1
Tilia cordata

Tilia cordata (Small Leaved Lime) is a majestic deciduous tree admired for its symmetrical form, heart shaped green leaves, and highly fragrant pale...

From$515.35
Coprosma Poor Knights with lush green foliage.
Coprosma 'Poor Knights' (Taupata)

Coprosma 'Poor Knights' is a vibrant evergreen shrub valued for its glossy lime green foliage and compact rounded habit. This NZ native selection...

From$11.95
Citrus australasica (Finger Lime) fruit with yellow flesh cut in half.
Citrus australasica

Citrus australasica, commonly known as the Finger Lime or Caviar Lime, is an evergreen shrub grown for its unusual fruit, which is regarded as a food...

From$34.95
Lomandra Lime Tuff in a garden showing elegant foliage.
Lomandra Lime Tuff

Lomandra 'Lime Tuff' is a hardy evergreen ornamental grass valued for its vibrant lime green foliage and compact tidy growth habit. This versatile...

From$17.87
acer-ukon-
Acer palmatum Ukon

Acer palmatum 'Ukon' is a distinctive Japanese Maple admired for its unusual lime green foliage that brings fresh colour to the garden. New leaves...

From$349.95
Lomandra Little Lime in a garden with lush, green foliage.
Lomandra Little Lime

Lomandra Little Lime is a compact ornamental grass known for its vibrant lime-green foliage and tidy, rounded form. Growing to about 50 cm in height...

From$21.39
Santolina 'Lime Fizz' green-yellow shrub growing in a basket.
Santolina 'Lime Fizz'

Santolina 'Lime Fizz' is a vibrant evergreen shrublet admired for its bright lime green foliage and compact, mounding form. This hardy Mediterranean...

From$23.39
Sophora longicarinata yellow flowers.
Sophora longicarinata (Limestone Kowhai)

Sophora longicarinata is a rare and beautiful NZ native tree belonging to the kowhai family. This evergreen to semi deciduous species is admired for...

From$323.65
A large Agathis australis (Kauri tree) in a native reserve.
Agathis australis (New Zealand Kauri)

Agathis australis, commonly known as the Kauri tree, is a revered New Zealand native conifer renowned for its immense size and longevity. Reaching...

From$229.95
The best Citrus fertiliser in NZ
Citrus Fertiliser

Applying the correct citrus fertiliser in NZ is essential for achieving better quality fruit, higher yields, and a much healthier and...

From$16.95
prunus-ukon-3
Prunus 'Ukon'

Prunus 'Ukon' is a rare and elegant flowering cherry tree admired for its unusual pale yellow green blossoms during spring. This deciduous ornamental...

From$515.35
Melia azedarach tree.
Melia azedarach (Bead Tree)

Melia azedarach (Bead Tree, White Cedar) is a graceful deciduous tree valued for its attractive fern like foliage, fragrant clusters of lilac...

From$387.55
ulmus-lobel-
Ulmus 'Lobel' (Dutch Elm Tree)

Ulmus 'Lobel' is a refined deciduous elm valued for its narrow upright form, dense green foliage, and excellent suitability as an avenue or specimen...

From$557.95
Phyllocladus trichomanoides lush green foliage.
Phyllocladus trichomanoides (Celery Pine)

Phyllocladus trichomanoides, commonly called Celery Pine, is a striking New Zealand native tree valued for its unique, celery like foliage and tall...

From$515.35
Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu) tree juvenile foliage.
Dacrydium cupressinum (Rimu Tree)

Dacrydium cupressinum, commonly known as Rimu or Red Pine, is an iconic and slow-growing tree. The juvenile form features drooping branches densely...

From$99.29
A Liquidambar 'Burgundy' specimen tree with dark red autumn foliage.
Liquidambar styraciflua 'Burgundy'

Liquidambar ‘Burgundy’ is a magnificent deciduous tree known for its rich, long lasting autumn foliage in deep burgundy to purple tones. Its star...

From$536.65
Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' trees with yellow foliage in autumn.
Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' (Tulip Tree)

Liriodendron tulipifera fastigiata, also known as the Upright Tulip Tree, is a stunning deciduous tree admired for its narrow, columnar form. It...

From$515.35
Fagus 'Dawyck Green' specimen tree.
Fagus sylvatica 'Dawyck Green'

Fagus sylvatica 'Dawyck Green', also known as Green Beech, is a stunning columnar tree with dense, glossy green foliage. Its upright, narrow growth...

From$270.40
A Sophora chathamica tree growing in a garden with green foliage.
Sophora chathamica

Sophora chathamica (Coastal Kōwhai) is a stunning New Zealand native tree known for its masses of bright yellow flowers that appear in early spring...

From$323.65
Plagianthus regius as a small tree in a garden.
Plagianthus regius (Ribbonwood)

Plagianthus regius, commonly known as Ribbonwood or Manatu, is one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing native trees. It can reach 10–15 metres tall and...

From$24.77
Metrosideros excelsa (Pohutukawa) specimen tree with masses of red flowers in a coastal location.
Metrosideros excelsa (Pōhutukawa)

Metrosideros excelsa, commonly known as Pōhutukawa or the New Zealand Christmas Tree, is a coastal evergreen renowned for its brilliant red flowers...

From$30.29
A Sophora godleyi specimen tree covered in yellow flowers.
Sophora godleyi (Godleys Kowhai)

Sophora godleyi is a magnificent New Zealand native tree valued for its graceful weeping branches and bright yellow flowers that appear in spring...

From$323.65
A Pyrus 'Autumn Leaves' tree.
Pyrus 'Autumn Leaves'

Pyrus 'Autumn Leaves' is an ornamental pear admired for its vibrant autumn colour display. This deciduous tree produces lush green foliage through...

From$515.35
Libertia grandiflora plant with elegant white flowers and lush, dark green foliage.
Libertia grandiflora (NZ Iris)

Libertia grandiflora, commonly known as NZ Iris, is a hardy New Zealand native perennial admired for its elegant white flowers and sword like green...

From$16.50
Disphyma australe pink flowers and fleshy, green leaves.
Disphyma australe (NZ Ice Plant)

Disphyma australe, commonly known as NZ Ice Plant, is a hardy and attractive groundcover valued for its fleshy, bright green foliage and striking...

From$19.50
Quercus laurina specimen tree with lush, green foliage.
Quercus laurina

Quercus laurina is a magnificent evergreen oak native to Central America, admired for its stately form and year round greenery. Its glossy, lance...

From$136.04
emguard-biodegradable-plant-shelter-
Tree Guards (Tree Guards)

Our tree guards and plant shelters are bio-degradable products that are perfect for using in riparian areas and other exposed positions. They are...

From$5.00
A large Beilschmiedia tawa (Tawa tree).
Beilschmiedia tawa (Tawa Tree)

Beilschmiedia tawa, commonly known as the Tawa Tree, is a tall and graceful evergreen native to New Zealand. It is admired for its straight trunk...

From$313.00
cloth-tree-tie-
Cloth Tree Tie

Cloth Tree Ties are a soft, flexible solution for securely supporting young trees and plants while they establish. Made from durable cloth material...

From$9.28
Clonex Rooting Hormone one litre bottle.
Rooting Hormone (Rooting Hormone)

Clonex is the preferred rooting hormone for nurseries across NZ and the world. It is the industry standard for rooting softwood, semi-hardwood, and...

From$181.05
Lime Bearss

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acer, Citrus, and Coprosma, or related Categories - Finger Limes, Lime Trees, and Grasses.

Search types of lime trees nz

Popular Types of Lime Trees NZ Gardeners Love

When it comes to selecting lime trees, New Zealanders are spoilt for choice. The most commonly grown lime varieties are prized for their ease of care, prolific fruiting, and outstanding flavour.

Tahitian Lime

One of the most popular types of lime trees NZ home gardeners choose is the Tahitian lime. This tree is well-loved for its juicy, seedless fruit and heavy cropping. The Lime Tahitian produces medium-to-large limes with a mild, aromatic flavour and matures to a striking yellow-green colour. It’s perfect for drinks, dressings, and garnishes, thriving in both the ground and large pots.

Bearss Lime

Another excellent choice is the Lime Bearss, widely grown for its vigorous growth and abundance of fruit. Bearss limes are often mistaken for Tahitian limes due to their similar appearance, but Bearss is renowned for its versatility and slightly more intense citrus tang. Its hardy, evergreen foliage makes it a practical and attractive addition to Kiwi gardens.

Limequat

For gardeners with smaller spaces or those after something a little different, the Limequat is an exciting option. This hybrid citrus is a cross between a lime and a kumquat, resulting in a compact tree perfect for pots and smaller gardens. The fruit is small, aromatic, and thin-skinned, offering a unique burst of sweet-tart flavour that’s great for snacking or use in cocktails.

Beyond Edible Limes: Ornamental Alternatives

While the edible types of lime trees NZ gardens support are always in demand, some gardeners enjoy shrubs and trees with a similar citrus look. The Coprosma 'Lemon and Lime' is a stunning native shrub with vibrant, lime-coloured foliage, perfect for hedging or adding a pop of colour without the commitment to fruiting lime trees.

If you’re interested in broadening your garden’s appeal with other ornamental species, the Magnolia liliiflora Nigra (Magnolia Tree Nigra) features showy blooms and elegant structure, complementing citrus and native plants beautifully.

Growing the Best Lime Trees in NZ

Choosing the right types of lime trees NZ has available depends on your climate, available space, and preferred fruit characteristics. Most limes favour a sunny, sheltered spot and free-draining soil. Regular feeding and watering will ensure your lime tree thrives, whether you select the robust Lime Bearss, the sweet-tart Limequat, or the classic Lime Tahitian.

Explore our range of lime trees and complementary plants to transform your outdoor space into your very own subtropical oasis.


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Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Our most famous blooms include Rose 'Flower Carpet White' and Magnolia stellata 'Waterlily', but some of our best-kept secrets are Pittosporum 'Little Gem', Hemerocallis 'Lullaby Baby', and Acer palmatum 'Fjellheim' — underrated beauties ready to shine.
–The Plant Company

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