How to Grow Persian Lime From Seed

Remove the seeds from the Persian lime and plant immediately. Fresh seeds ensure better germination.

Fill a small plastic container, approximately 2 inches in diameter, with well-draining potting mix. Make a hole approximately 1 inch deep with your finger. Place the seed in the hole and cover it with soil.

Water the container well. Keep the soil evenly moist until the seed sprouts and has one set of true leaves. Place your lime seedling in full sun if possible, or in a west- or south-facing window.

Fertilize the Persian lime seedling weekly with a one-quarter strength solution of all-purpose liquid fertilizer, such as 20-20-20 or 15-30-15. Increase the fertilizer solution to one-half strength applied bi-weekly when the seedling reaches 6 inches in height.

After 6 weeks, start checking the root growth weekly by turning the plant upside down and gently removing it from the pot far enough to see the extent of root growth. Transplant the seedling into a one-gallon container when the roots fill the present container. Continue to repot into larger containers as the plant roots fill each pot.

Fertilize the transplanted Persian lime tree with a full-strength all-purpose liquid fertilizer monthly or add pelletized slow-release fertilizer at the rate of 1 teaspoon per gallon of container size. Fertilize 3-gallon or larger potted Persian lime trees with a citrus fertilizer according to label directions.

Check the trees regularly for pests and disease. Mix organic pesticides or fungicides according to label directions and apply with a hand or pump sprayer. Treat citrus scale by spraying with an organic oil, such as dormant oil or neem oil.