There are two varieties of true limes, the Mexican lime (Citrus aurantifolia), sometimes called the Key lime, and the larger, less popular Tahiti lime (Citrus latifolia). In addition, there are two citrus fruits commonly called limes that are botanically different. Although limes can be grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 and 11, they need to be planted in areas protected from the wind and cold in zone 10.
There are few cultivars of the Mexican lime, the most widely known lime and the one most frequently found in supermarkets. The Mexican lime tree grows from 6 1/2 to 13 feet tall; it likes moist, warm climates and yields smooth, green limes that are 1 to 2 inches in diameter. The Mexican lime is heavily grown in the Florida Keys and can be grown along parts of the Gulf Coast and in protected locations in California. The tree grows limes year-round but with heavier yields during two main seasons, in May and June and November and December.
The Tahiti lime is not as widely known or used as the Mexican lime. At 15 to 20 feet high, the Tahiti lime tree is far larger than the Mexican lime, and yields larger pale yellow limes 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches wide and 2 to 3 inches high that have greenish yellow pulp. The Tahiti lime can withstand more cold than the Mexican lime. Roughly 70 percent of Tahiti limes mature during its peak production time, from May to September with the heaviest crop from July to September.
The Rangpur lime (Citrus x limonia), not a true lime, is thought to be a hybrid between the lemon (C. limon) and the mandarin orange (C. reticulate.) It grows from 15 to 20 feet high and yields reddish-orange fruits that taste like limes. The fruits peel easily and break into bright orange segments with greenish seeds. Rangpur trees yield abundant fruit from November through the winter. They can be grown in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 11.
The Kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix) is a dwarf citrus tree that grows up to 5 feet tall. It is grown for its glossy, aromatic leaves, not its sour, wrinkled fruits that are not true limes. The leaves are a popular season in southeast Asian cuisine, especially Thailand, although the rind of its fruit is sometime ground as a seasoning. The leaves for which it is grown may be removed any time of year. Unlike true limes, the Kaffir lime is more cold hardy than true limes and may be grown in USDA plant hardiness zones 9b and warmer.
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