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what is the best lime tree

If you’ve ever wondered “what is the best lime tree” for New Zealand gardens, you’re not alone. Whether you’re hoping to grow delicious limes for refreshing summer drinks, adding zest to your cooking, or creating an eye-catching feature in your backyard, choosing the right lime variety makes all the difference. While there are several fantastic lime trees suited to our climate, each with its own strengths, the ideal choice depends on your needs, garden space, and taste preferences.

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, commonly known as the Small Leaved Lime, is grown for its lush foliage and great form. The medium sized, heart-shaped leaves emerge in spring with a fresh, lime-green colour, then develop golden tones in autumn before falling.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 10.00 m
Spread: 5.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Garden uses: Avenues
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
A large Tilia platyphyllos tree in a park.
Tilia platyphyllos (Large-leaved Lime)

Tilia platyphyllos, commonly known as Large-Leaved Linden, is a stately deciduous tree admired for its broad, heart-shaped leaves and fragrant summer...

From$515.35
'Bearss' Lime green fruit.
Lime Bearss

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...

From$34.95
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
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$29.95
magnolia-liliiflora-nigra-1
Magnolia liliiflora Nigra (Magnolia Tree Nigra)

Magnolia liliiflora Nigra, commonly known as Black Lily, is a stunning tree that bears masses of large and showy, purple flowers from late winter...

From$270.40
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
Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lime' plants with lush, green foliage.
Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lime'

Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lime' is a bright and eye catching honeysuckle valued for its vivid lime foliage and compact, tidy habit. This hardy shrub...

From$16.95
'Kaffir' Lime fruit with a wrinkly, green skin.
Lime Kaffir (Makrut Lime)

The 'Kaffir' Lime is a quick-growing and compact shrub that produces unusual-looking fruit. The fruit is green, warty, and inedible due to the thick...

From$29.95
magnolia-deryk-2
Magnolia Deryk (Magnolia Tree Deryk)

Magnolia Deryk is a deciduous tree that bears masses of large and showy, dark red-purple flowers from late winter until early spring. The flowers are...

From$387.55
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$8.21
cordyline-lime-fountain-3
Cordyline Lime Fountain

Cordyline 'Lime Foutain' is a fresh and vibrant evergreen plant admired for its bright lime green foliage and graceful fountain like form. The...

From$35.19
A Liquidambar 'Gumball' tree with fabulous autumn colours.
Liquidambar styraciflua 'Gumball'

Liquidambar 'Gumball' is a small tree grown for its form and fantastic autumn colours. This popular ornamental tree features leaves that emerge lime...

From$387.55
Carex 'Everlime' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Carex 'Everlime' (Lime Grass Plant)

Carex ‘Everlime’ (Japanese Sedge) is a popular evergreen sedge valued for its graceful arching green foliage edged with bright lime cream margins...

From$19.95
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
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$34.95
sorbus-scarlet-king-
Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King (Rowan Tree NZ)

Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King is a variety of the commonly known, Mountain Ash, and is a small-sized, deciduous with impressive characteristics...

From$387.55
acer-fjellheim-4
Acer palmatum Fjellheim (Fjellheim Japanese Maple)

Acer palmatum Fjellheim is an impressive Japanese Maple featuring a rich display of delicate foliage held on colourful stems. Leaves on this small...

From$399.95
ulmus-lobel-
Ulmus Lobel (Dutch Elm Tree)

Ulmus Lobel is a variety of Dutch Elm tree grown for its colourful foliage and narrow form. The leaves emerge a fresh green colour in spring, age to...

From$557.95
Prumnopitys taxifolia (Matai) juvenile tree growing as a specimen in a park.
Prumnopitys taxifolia (Matai)

Prumnopitys taxifolia, commonly known as Matai or Black Pine, is a stately, NZ native tree with quite different juvenile and adult forms. The...

From$309.51
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
aeonium-tabuliforme-
Aeonium tabuliforme (Dinner Plate Aeonium)

Aeonium tabuliforme, commonly known as the Dinner Plate Aeonium, is a succulent grown for its symmetrical rosettes of fleshy, lime green leaves. It...

From$14.95
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$24.15
magnolia-strawberry-fields-1
Magnolia Strawberry Fields (Strawberry Fields Magnolia Tree)

Magnolia Strawberry Fields is a stunning deciduous tree that bears masses of large and showy, semi-double, deep red flowers through late winter and...

From$515.35
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
acer-princeton-gold-
Acer platanoides Princeton Gold (Princeton Gold Maple Tree)

Acer platanoides Princeton Gold is a variety of the commonly known, Plane-Leaved Maple, and is a medium sized tree with fantastic foliage. The leaves...

From$349.95
cedrela-sinensis-flamingo-7
Cedrela sinensis 'Flamingo' (Toon Tree)

Cedrela sinensis 'Flamingo' (Toon Tree) is a spectacular deciduous tree prized for its striking flushes of vibrant pink foliage that mature through...

From$28.91
A large Metrosideros 'Maori Princess' trees in an avenue with masses of red flowers.
Metrosideros 'Maori Princess'

Metrosideros 'Maori Princess' is a stunning cultivar of the NZ Christmas tree (Pohutukawa) and is renowned for its brilliant crimson-red flowers and...

From$30.29
A fantastic Titoki tree (Alectryon excelsus) growing as a speciment tree in an urban park.
Alectryon excelsus

Alectryon excelsus, commonly known as the Titoki tree, is a handsome New Zealand native tree valued for its lush, glossy foliage and tidy, rounded...

From$14.95
magnolia-margaret-helen-
Magnolia Margaret Helen (Magnolia Tree Margaret Helen)

Magnolia Margaret Helen is a deciduous tree that bears masses of large and showy, rose-pink flowers through late winter and early spring. These are...

From$387.55
Lime Tahitian

Did you find what you are looking for?

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

Search what is the best lime tree

Popular Lime Varieties for Kiwi Gardens

When it comes to fruiting lime trees, Lime Tahitian remains a long-standing favourite for many home growers. This versatile lime produces juicy, seedless fruit with a classic tang—perfect for cocktails, cooking, and garnishes. Known for their prolific fruit production and relatively compact growth, Lime Tahitian trees can thrive in pots as well as in-ground, making them a great fit for urban gardens.

Another variety to consider is Lime Sublime. Valued for its intense flavour and high juice content, Lime Sublime is prized by chefs and home cooks alike. Its thinner skin and aromatic zest make it a top choice if you love experimenting with recipes that call for a true lime punch.

If you’re seeking something a little different, Lime Rangpur stands out for its unique, reddish-orange skin and intense tartness. Sometimes called a “lemon-lime,” Lime Rangpur combines the tang of a lime with a hint of mandarin, making it a popular choice for marmalades, drinks, and adventurous cooking.

Ornamental Options and Alternative “Lime” Trees

Not every “lime tree” is grown for fruit. If you’re searching for a majestic shade or street tree rather than citrus, consider the European limes. Tilia europaea, also known as the common lime, is a deciduous tree celebrated for its heart-shaped leaves and fragrant flowers. While unrelated to fruiting limes, Tilia europaea brings beauty and biodiversity to larger gardens or public spaces.

Another excellent ornamental, Tilia cordata, or small-leaved lime, boasts dense foliage, subtle scent, and robust structure. Tilia cordata is an outstanding option if you want a classic European look or a cooling shade for summer.

How to Choose the Best Lime Tree for You

So, what is the best lime tree? For most New Zealand backyards, the answer is often Lime Tahitian due to its reliability, flavour, and ease of care. However, if you crave more intense citrus or wish to try something new, Lime Sublime and Lime Rangpur are well worth considering.

If your garden vision leans more toward large, shady trees instead of fruit, don’t overlook Tilia europaea or Tilia cordata.

Still wondering what is the best lime tree for your property? Explore our range to find a lime that suits your space, your climate, and your taste buds. With the right lime tree, you’ll enjoy years of zest, shade, and beauty in your own backyard.


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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.

–The Plant Company

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