When to Plant Lime in Sydney, Warm Temperate Guide
What this month normally looks like in Warm Temperate
In October the Warm Temperate zone normally runs 24°C by day and 13°C overnight, with about 66 mm of rain over 7 or 8 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -1.5°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 153 postcodes, SILO.
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This Lime guide is written for the Warm Temperate zone, which takes in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Sep to 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 Warm Temperate
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep P
- Oct P
- Nov P
- Dec -
P = Planting window
Limes are frost-sensitive, so plant in spring in the warmest sheltered spot. Tahitian limes are picked green from late summer into winter.
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How to Grow Lime in Warm Temperate 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
Warm Temperate Growing Tips for Lime
Recommended Varieties
- Tahitian (hardiest common lime)
- Finger Lime (surprisingly cold-tolerant)
- Kaffir/Makrut
Key Challenges
- Most frost-sensitive common citrus
- Key lime too tender for Sydney outdoor
Pro Tips
- Tahitian lime in a sheltered north-facing spot succeeds in Sydney.
- Finger lime is hardier than Tahitian. Tolerates brief frost to -2°C.
- Pot culture allows winter protection if needed.
Pests and problems for Lime in Warm Temperate
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 Sydney?
Limes are frost-sensitive, so plant in spring in the warmest sheltered spot. Tahitian limes are picked green from late summer into 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 Sydney?
Recommended varieties for the Warm Temperate zone include: Tahitian (hardiest common lime), Finger Lime (surprisingly cold-tolerant), Kaffir/Makrut.
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 Warm Temperate zone, Sydney is its reference city.