When to Plant Lime in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide

Plant November. Right now in September it is out of season. The next planting month is November.

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 Cool Temperate zone, which takes in Melbourne, Hobart and Geelong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Canberra 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 Cool Temperate

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - - - - - - - - - P -

P = Planting window

Pot culture recommended. Plant November.

Want a nudge when it is Lime sowing time in Melbourne?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Cool Temperate zone right now, Lime included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.

How to Grow Lime in Cool Temperate Australia

When to Plant

Pot culture recommended. Plant November.

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

Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Lime

Recommended Varieties

  • Finger Lime (most cold-tolerant lime)
  • Tahitian in pot (bring under cover in winter)

Key Challenges

  • Frost damage
  • Slow growth
  • Reduced fruiting

Pro Tips

  • Limes are the most frost-sensitive citrus. Melbourne outdoor growing is marginal.
  • Finger lime is the best option. Native adaptation gives surprising cold tolerance.
  • Tahitian in a large pot wheeled under cover in winter can work.

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 cool temperate zone this September: Ginger, Sweet Corn, 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.

Get the Full Interactive Guide

Track your garden, get real-time pest alerts, and plan around your zone's weather.

Open the planting dashboard Join Garden Buddy

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 Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.