Thornless Key Lime Tree | Classic Bartender's Lime Plant

Thornless Key Lime

5 Gallon

$109.00

1/5

Thornless Key Lime

Citrus aurantifolia 'Mexican Thornless'

Classic Key Lime Flavor • Thornless for Easy Care • Compact & Ideal for Containers

$109.00

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+1 650-241-8858 (SMS ok)

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

The Thornless Key Lime brings the iconic, tangy flavor of the classic Key lime to your garden without the defensive thorns. This compact, everbearing shrub is perfect for pots and small spaces, offering a nearly continuous harvest of small, aromatic fruit that is essential for authentic pies, refreshing beverages, and vibrant culinary creations.

Produces small, round fruit with smooth, thin, greenish-yellow skin that is often harvested while still green.
Flesh is pale yellow-green, juicy, finely-textured, and highly aromatic with a distinctive, brisk acidity that defines the true Key lime flavor.
A unique thornless variety that makes planting, pruning, and harvesting safe and easy.
A self-pollinating, compact, and semi-upright evergreen shrub perfectly sized for containers, patios, and small gardens.
Fruits nearly year-round with a peak production in winter, ensuring a steady supply.
Exceptionally low-maintenance, heat-loving, and drought-tolerant once established, thriving in full sun.

Flavor Profile:

Flavor: Intensely tart and floral with a complex, sharp acidity that is more aromatic than common Persian limes.
Texture: Juicy with a soft, fine pulp and very few seeds.
Best Uses: The essential fruit for authentic Key lime pie, tangy cocktails (like the Gimlet), marinades, and adding a bright note to sauces and desserts.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Foliage: Glossy, deep green ovate leaves.Flowers: Fragrant star-shaped white blossoms with purple-pink bases; self-fertile.Fruit: Petite round limes with smooth, thin yellow-green rind (typically harvested green); nearly seedless.Habit: Compact, thornless evergreen shrub with semi-upright growth
Mature Height: 6-8 ft
Mature Width: 6-8 ft
Growth Rate: Moderate
Light Needs: Full sun (minimum 6 hours daily)
Key Advantages:True thornless variety (uncommon for key limes).Extended harvest season (year-round with winter peak).Superior container adaptability.Heat and humidity tolerant.Low maintenance requirements
Fruit Characteristics:Flesh: Pale yellow-green, tender texture.Flavor: Intense citrus acidity with bright aroma.Juice Content: Exceptionally high.Best Uses: Cocktails, key lime pie, marinades
Landscape Uses:Container citrus gardens.Patio fruit production.Tropical edible landscaping.Poolside plantings (thornless safety)

Q: When is the best time to harvest the limes?A: They can be harvested year-round when they reach full size and are deep green or just beginning to yellow. For the tartest flavor preferred in cooking, harvest while green.
Q: Can I grow this indoors?A: Yes, it is an excellent candidate for a sunny indoor spot (like a south-facing window) as a container plant, provided it receives at least 6-8 hours of direct light.
Q: How is it different from a regular lime at the store?A: Store-bought limes are typically Persian limes (like Bearss). Key limes are smaller, more aromatic, have a thinner skin, and possess a distinct, sharper, and more floral acidity.