When to Plant Lime in Canberra, Cold / Highland Guide

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

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.

Lime

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The most frost-sensitive common citrus. Three main types grown in Australia: Tahitian (large seedless fruit, most popular), Key/Mexican (small, aromatic, very tender), and native Australian Finger Lime (unique caviar-like vesicles, increasingly popular). Tahitian is the practical choice for most home gardens. Finger lime is a genuinely Australian native with unique culinary properties. All limes prefer warmth and humidity.

Best Planting Window for Cold / Highland

Pot culture only. Indoor wintering essential.

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How to Grow Lime in Cold / Highland Australia

When to Plant

Pot culture only. Indoor wintering essential.

Soil
Well-drained, rich in organic matter. Slightly acidic preferred.
pH Range
6.0-7.0
Sunlight
Full sun, protected from cold winds. Warmest position in garden.

Companion plants: Comfrey, Nasturtium

Avoid planting near: 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.

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.

Where to next

What lime costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the cold and highland zone this September: Sweet Corn, Beetroot, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

The pest most likely to find your lime: Possums (Common Brushtail, Ringtail).

Supermarket Price

Current average retail: $17.25/kg (12-month range: $8.73–$17.25)

Grow your own and save on grocery bills.

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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:

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page 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.