Zone 3 · Citrus Growing Guide

When to Plant Lime
in Zone 3

More cold-sensitive than lemon. Persian lime is most common (seedless, thornless); Key lime is smaller but more flavourful. Container growing works well in cooler zones — bring indoors in winter.

Plant outdoors
Container only
Start indoors
Direct sow
Last Frost
~May 15
Days to harvest
1–2 years to first harvest
Difficulty
Easy
Growing — Zone 3
Harvest window: Container: variable

Planting Calendar

In Zone 3, Lime should be planted outdoors Container only, after the average last frost date of approximately May 15.

Container only. Bring indoors Oct–May. Very challenging — not recommended.

Care Guide

Sunlight
Full sun · 6–8 hrs/day
Watering
Regular
Spacing
144–216 inches
Soil
Well-draining, slightly acidic
Days to maturity
1–2 years to first harvest
Soil pH
5.5–6.5
plant tip · Zone 3

Container only. Bring indoors Oct–May. Very challenging — not recommended.

Feeding Schedule

How often
3 times a year
Feed type
citrus feed
Key timing
spring, summer, and autumn

Same as lemons — use specialist citrus fertilizer. Container limes need feeding every 6-8 weeks during growing season.

Companion Planting for Lime

What you plant next to lime makes a real difference — some plants actively help, others compete or attract pests.

Grows well with
  • Lavender
  • Marigolds
  • Comfrey
Keep away from
  • Grass beneath

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Common questions

In Zone 3, direct sow lime outdoors Container only after your last frost date of approximately May 15. Container only. Bring indoors Oct–May. Very challenging — not recommended.
Zone 3 has an average last spring frost of approximately May 15 and a first fall frost around Sep 15. These dates vary by specific location — use your ZIP code in the plant app for precision based on the nearest NOAA weather station.
Good companion crops for lime include Lavender, Marigolds, Comfrey. Avoid planting near Grass beneath, which can compete for nutrients or attract pests.
Lime typically takes 1–2 years to first harvest from transplant or direct sow to harvest in Zone 3. Expected harvest window: Container: variable.

Free app · iOS February 2028

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Lime in other zones
Trees & Shrubs