When to Plant Lime in Canberra, Cold / Highland Guide
What this month normally looks like in Cold / Highland
In October the Cold / Highland zone normally runs 20°C by day and 7°C overnight, with about 58 mm of rain over 7 or 8 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -6.4°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 15 postcodes, SILO.
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This Lime guide is written for the Cold / Highland zone, which takes in Canberra, Cooma and Bright. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Nov
- 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 Cold / Highland
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep -
- Oct -
- Nov P
- Dec -
P = Planting window
Limes are more frost tender than lemons, so plant in late spring in a large pot or against a warm north wall and move or cover them for winter.
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How to Grow Lime in Cold / Highland 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
Cold / Highland Growing Tips for Lime
Recommended Varieties
- Finger Lime in pot (only option)
Key Challenges
- Frost kills all common limes
- Insufficient warmth
Pro Tips
- Only Finger lime in a pot has any chance, and it must come indoors for winter.
Pests and problems for Lime in Cold / Highland
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
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- 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 Canberra?
Limes are more frost tender than lemons, so plant in late spring in a large pot or against a warm north wall and move or cover them for winter.
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 Canberra?
Recommended varieties for the Cold / Highland zone include: Finger Lime in pot (only option).
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 Cold / Highland zone, Canberra is its reference city.