Desert Lime

How to sow desert lime: Cuttings

Sun requirement for desert lime: Plant in Full Sun

The Desert Lime is an evergreen perennial shrub or small tree native to the deserts of Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia. It can grow to heights of 4 meters and is a prolific producer of fruit that looks like a small lemon and has a wild lime flavor and thin skin. The Desert Lime has thick, leathery, gray-green leaves, small white flowers, and sharp thorns that protect its fruit from grazing animals. It grows wild in bushland areas, where it is a food source for indigenous peoples. It is also used in marmalades, pickles, beverages, and succade (candied peel). It is remarkably cold, heat, and drought-tolerant and is one of the most resilient Citrus species. In harsh conditions, the leaves fall off and the tree goes dormant, allowing it to survive temperatures of -5.5°C and lower. It is also one of the quickest citrus trees to set fruit after flowering. Trees begin to bear fruit when they are 3-10 years old. Desert Limes have recently begun to be domesticated, and they can be used as the roostock for other Citrus species to make them hardier.