Planting a Lime Tree from Seed: Germinating Lime Seeds

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Do you love limeade, margaritas, and key lime pie? If so, maybe you should grow your own key lime tree! Planting a lime tree from seed is very easy and I can show you how to do it.

Tart and tangy, key limes liven up quite a few drinks and dishes in the kitchen.

My bestie loves key lime martinis and my kids adore limeade.

I’m excited to grow a key lime tree to achieve both of these goals!

Full disclosure – I did buy a mature lime tree from a local garden center prior to attempting this project.

Now that I have that bit of insurance waiting there, I am ALL IN to try planting a lime tree from seed and seeing where it goes.

Can you grow a lime tree from seed?

Yes, it is possible to grow a lime tree from seed! You must first find a lime with seeds inside, like key limes. After harvesting the seeds, you can plant them to grow your own baby lime trees.

How to Grow a Lime Tree from Seed

In this post I am providing instructions for growing a key lime tree from seed. If you have other types of lime seeds to try, you can use these same instructions.

The process begins with harvesting the seeds and then germinating them. Once the lime seeds sprout, you can plant them in soil.

Harvesting Lime Seeds

First, collect some lime seeds to plant!

1. Shallow-cut a key lime crosswise so that you see all the beautiful sections.
   
2. Twist the two halves to separate.
   
3. Remove any visible key lime seeds and set them aside.
   
4. Squeeze the juice for use in baking, cocktails, or other drinks.
   
   
   
5. Remove any additional seeds.

Germinating Key Lime Seeds

Now, gently remove the outer seed coat to help the lime seeds germinate.

1. Use your thumbnail to gently nick the seed coat.
   
2. Peel away the rough exterior of the seeds and discard it.
   
3. Fold a fresh paper towel in half and space the seeds out on top of it.
   
4. Spray cool, clean water on top of the seeds and paper towel.
   
   
   
5. Fold it closed and place it inside a clear zip-seal sandwich baggie.
   
6. Use a permanent marker to write the lime type and date on the bag.
   
7. Set it in a warm place out of the way. (I place mine on top of the microwave.)

Transplanting Germinated Lime Seeds into Soil

Once the roots emerge, you can transfer the sprouted seed to a small pot with soil.

1. Prepare a small pot with a coffee filter inside to catch the soil.
   
2. Add damp potting soil to fill the pot.
   
3. Work to separate the germinated lime tree seeds from the paper towel. (If the roots are woven through, you can tear the paper towel and leave it attached to the root.)
   
   
   
4. Create a small hole in the center and drop the germinated key lime seed inside.
   
5. Cover the sprouted seed with more soil.
   
6. Water lightly and evenly and place the newly potted lime seedling in a sunny window or underneath some grow lights.

Be sure to check on your new baby lime tree regularly. It’s vital to ensure the lime tree seedling has enough light and water.

In time, this young citrus tree can grow into an impressive houseplant that you’ll love year after year.

Key Lime Starter Plant	Kaffir Lime Starter Plant	Key Lime Live Plant
Mexican Lime Tree (2-4 ft tall)	Dwarf Key Lime Seeds	Persian Lime Tree

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Updated Photos of Lime Seedlings

Check out our germinated lime tree seedlings!

Lessons Learned: Mistakes I made growing Baby Lime Trees from Seed

In general, growing lime seeds has been a fun and fulfilling activity! Sadly, at this time (2026), I no longer have any key lime seedlings or baby trees from this original post. I gave some to my family members for Christmas, and I don’t believe they still have them at this time. The ones I kept, if any, are no longer alive or in existence.

Here I will tell you very plainly what mistakes I made in growing baby lime trees from seeds in the fruit:

1. I planted too many seeds. I ALWAYS plant too many seeds. What can I say? When it comes to starting citrus trees from seed, I am an all-or-nothing kind of girl. I will literally plant every single seed because I can’t bear to waste them or for them not to have the chance to grow.
   
2. I got too busy or distracted and forgot to follow through. I always intend to give away the extra seedlings, and then I get busy and forget. ALWAYS. Or I set them aside and forget to give them the full care they deserve. I honestly don’t remember what happened to cause me not to have any baby lime tree seedlings left.
   
3. We don’t have enough daylight in the house and I never set up the grow lights. Ensuring proper lighting would have made a huge difference for these poor lime seedlings.
   
4. I never tried again (YET!). Yes, I got too busy. Yes, I forgot to give some away or keep some for myself, who knows. The power of YET – I simply haven’t tried growing them again YET. I will do this once I make a dedicated space with grow lights or awesome natural daylight. Maybe even this summer on the deck.

Related Posts:

By the way, if you liked this post, feel free to check out our Google web story on germinating lime tree seeds.

You may also enjoy our other posts on germinating citrus seeds to grow baby trees:

• How to Germinate Lemon Seeds to Grow a Lemon Tree
  
• How to Plant Orange Seeds to Grow an Orange Tree
  
• How to Grow a Clementine Tree from Seed

Additionally, be sure to check out our post on caring for and growing an indoor lime tree. If you live in a cooler climate, you will likely need to keep these trees indoors over the winter!

Do you have any questions or other tips about growing citrus indoors? Hit us up in the comments – we love hearing from you!

Happy (Indoor) Gardening!

11.19.22 – Updated with two more photos. Added Google web story.

01.18.23 – Updated to add link to other lime tree post.

02.17.26 – Updated with section on mistakes I made growing limes from seed.