Common lime.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Deciduous tree

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

30 to 40 meters

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 4 to 8

Bloom time

Early to mid summer

Care

Plant this tree in a spot with plenty of room for its roots to spread. Keep an eye out for aphids which can sometimes cause sticky honeydew on the leaves. Ensure the soil stays moist but well drained to keep the tree happy.

Watering

Water deeply during dry spells to help the tree establish its root system.

Feeding

Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer in early spring to support healthy growth.

Pruning

Prune during the dormant winter season to remove dead or crossing branches.

Repotting

Repotting is only necessary for young container specimens until they are ready for the ground.

Soil

Deep fertile loamy soil

Soil pH

Neutral to alkaline

Temperature

-30 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Long-lived perennial, often exceeding 200 years.

Fragrance

Strong

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

This tree is generally considered non-toxic to humans.

Children

The tree is safe for children, though the small nutlets can be a choking hazard if ingested.

Contact allergens

The leaves and bark are not typically irritating to the skin.

Airborne allergens

The pollen can cause mild seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals.

Edibility

The flowers are often used for tea, but ensure they are not harvested from trees near heavy traffic due to pollution.

How to identify it

• Heart shaped serrated leaves
• Fragrant pale yellow flowers
• Smooth grey bark on young trees
• Rounded or conical growth habit

Height

15 to 40m

Spread

10 to 20m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

yellow, white, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

• Aphids · These insects produce sticky honeydew that can coat leaves and surfaces below the tree.
• Lime leaf spot · A fungal issue that causes spotting on the foliage during wet seasons.

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings, layering

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

No special winter care is needed as it is fully hardy in its range. Ensure the root zone is mulched if the tree is young.

In containers

Not suitable for long-term container growth due to its massive size.

Plant spring bulbs underneath to take advantage of the light before the canopy closes.

Grows well with

• English Ivy · It provides a lush ground cover that thrives in the shade of the large canopy.
• Snowdrop · These bulbs bloom early before the tree fully leafs out.

Similar species

• Small-leaved Lime · A parent species that is slightly smaller and more refined.
• Large-leaved Lime · The other parent species with larger, hairier leaves.

Science

Family

Malvaceae

Genus

Tilia

Order

Malvales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Europe

Conservation

This species is not of conservation concern.

It thrives in deep, fertile soils and often forms large, long-lived stands in temperate forests.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, supports diverse insect life

Pollinators

bees

Uses

shade tree, ornamental, medicinal tea, honey production

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it grow well in cities?

Yes, it is quite tolerant of urban pollution and compacted soil.

Is it messy?

It can be messy due to aphid honeydew and falling flowers in summer.

Where the name comes from

The name Tilia is the ancient Latin name for the lime tree, while europaea refers to its widespread European distribution.

Good to know

• The wood is very soft and often used for carving.
• It is a classic choice for grand avenues in European landscapes.
• The flowers are highly fragrant and attract swarms of bees.
• It can live for several hundred years.