Wild lime Plant Care

Wild lime (Fagara externa) belongs to the Rutaceae family within the Fagara genus. Wild lime is native to Alejandro Selkirk Island in the Juan Fernández Islands of Chile. Wild lime is also known as Zanthoxylum fagara, Lime prickly ash.

Wild lime displays a small tree or shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Wild lime produces small clusters of white or greenish flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Wild 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.

Wild lime thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Fagara externa tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Wild lime prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Wild lime to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Wild 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 sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Wild lime is suited to USDA Zone 10a – 11b.

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.

Wild 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 Wild 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.

Wild lime is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Wild lime can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Wild lime is susceptible to spider mites, scale insects, caterpillars. 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.

Wild lime grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. Wild lime is native to Alejandro Selkirk Island in the Juan Fernández Islands of Chile. In cooler regions, grow Wild lime as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.