False Lime Plant Care

False Lime (Atalantia monophylla) belongs to the Rutaceae family within the Atalantia genus. False Lime is native to tropical regions. False Lime is also known as Indian Boxwood, Boxwood.

False Lime displays a small tree, spreading canopy growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. False Lime produces small white fragrant flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted False Lime every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

False Lime thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Atalantia monophylla tolerates temperatures of 55–85°F. False Lime prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added sand and organic matter. Good drainage is essential for False Lime to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed False Lime every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added sand and organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

False Lime is suited to USDA Zone 12b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

False Lime can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 10 ft (3 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune False Lime while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

False Lime is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

False Lime can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to box-leaf atalantia plant care, which shares the same genus.

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False Lime is susceptible to citrus leaf miner, citrus psyllid, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

False Lime grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 12b. False Lime is native to tropical regions. In cooler regions, grow False Lime as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.