When to Plant Lime in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide
What this month normally looks like in Arid / Semi-Arid
In October the Arid / Semi-Arid zone normally runs 32°C by day and 16°C overnight, with about 19 mm of rain over 2 or 3 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was 1.9°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 10 postcodes, SILO.
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This Lime guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Sep to Oct
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.0
- Shop price
- $17.25/kg at one shop
The most frost-sensitive common citrus.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Arid / Semi-Arid
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep P
- Oct P
- Nov -
- Dec -
P = Planting window
Limes are the most frost-tender citrus, so plant in spring against a warm sheltered wall. Water deeply and keep mulch clear of the trunk.
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How to Grow Lime in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia
- Soil
- Well-drained, rich in organic matter. Slightly acidic preferred.
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun, protected from cold winds. Warmest position in garden.
- Good companions
- Nasturtium, Basil, Chives, Garlic, Comfrey
- Keep away from
- Cold exposed positions
Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Lime
Recommended Varieties
- Tahitian
- Key lime
Key Challenges
- Water dependent
- Extreme heat
- Cold desert nights in winter
Pro Tips
- Viable with irrigation. Desert nights provide enough cold to be marginal for Key lime.
- Tahitian is more practical.
Pests and problems for Lime in Arid / Semi-Arid
Harvesting Lime
When ready: Tahitian: pick when bright green and full-sized (turning yellow means over-ripe). Key lime: pick when pale green to yellow. Finger lime: pick when full-sized and slightly soft at ends.
How to harvest: Cut with secateurs. Handle gently.
Storing and preserving lime
How to keep it
- Juice freezing. Juice and freeze in ice cube trays. Keeps: 12 months.
- Zest drying. Zest finely, air dry, store in jar. Keeps: 6 months.
- Finger lime freezing. Freeze whole finger limes. Slice frozen and scoop vesicles. They maintain shape better from frozen. Keeps: 12 months.
- Lime pickle (Indian style). Quarter limes, pack with salt, spices (turmeric, chilli, mustard seeds), and oil. Mature 4 weeks. Keeps: 12 months.
What lime costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
- An email when it's time to sow
- Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
Common Questions About Lime
When do you plant lime in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Oct to Dec
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Sep to Nov
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Sep to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Oct to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Nov
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Sep to Oct
- Mediterranean (Perth): Apr to May, Sep to Nov
When should I plant Lime in Alice Springs?
Limes are the most frost-tender citrus, so plant in spring against a warm sheltered wall. Water deeply and keep mulch clear of the trunk.
How do I know when Lime are ready to harvest?
Tahitian: pick when bright green and full-sized (turning yellow means over-ripe). Key lime: pick when pale green to yellow. Finger lime: pick when full-sized and slightly soft at ends.
What are the best Lime varieties for Alice Springs?
Recommended varieties for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone include: Tahitian, Key lime.
What grows well with Lime?
Good companion plants for Lime include: Nasturtium, Basil, Chives, Garlic, Comfrey.
Are lime salt tolerant?
No. Lime are salt-sensitive, one of the more sensitive veggies. Use rainwater if your bore water is salty, or grow them in a raised bed of fresh mix if your soil is.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.