Limequat Tree

An Unusual Citrus Fruit for Your Plant Collection

The renowned U.S. Department of Agriculture plant breeder, Dr. T.W. Swingle, is responsible for many of the unusual citrus fruits we enjoy today. In 1909, he crossed a Key lime with a kumquat, and the resulting fruit was appropriately named the Limequat (X Citrofortunella spp.). More than 100 years later, gardeners still enjoy growing these plants for their succulent fruits, fragrant flowers, and adaptability in containers!

The Best of Two Citrus Worlds
Limequats contain the best qualities of Key limes and kumquats:

• They are small fruits (typically less than 2 inches long) that grow on small trees (up to 5 feet tall). In containers, the trees are usually shorter, around 3 feet tall.

• Their cold tolerance falls between limes and kumquats; more cold-hardy than limes, they can survive temperatures to 20 degrees F. If you live in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9 through 11, you can grow this unique plant outside year-round. They are also marginally hardy in Zone 8b, in protected locations.

• The taste is a blending of lime and kumquat, which can be best described as a sweeter lime. In fact, its flavor is so characteristic of limes that it can be used as a lime substitute.

• It’s refreshing in drinks, perfect in marmalade, and completely delicious when squeezed over baked fish!

One of the Best Citrus Plants for Pots
Limequats are well-suited to container culture, and what a conversation piece they make on a patio or deck! The pale-yellow peel offers a stunning contrast against the glossy evergreen leaves. It performs best in a full-sun location, although it can also handle a bit of afternoon shade. If you live outside its hardiness range, you can bring potted Limequat plants indoors when the temperatures drop in autumn. And because its harvest season is late fall through early spring, you’ll harvest the fruit indoors! Each plant is self-pollinating, so you don’t need two plants to produce fruit. But growing more than one plant increases the pollen exchange, which results in an increased fruit set on each tree.

Fertilizer Needs for Citrus
Citrus fruits like Limequat have different fertilization needs than other landscape or potted plants. Purchase a fertilizer that’s specially formulated for citrus fruit and follow the label directions. For container plants, you can use a slow-release or water-soluble houseplant fertilizer. Don’t overdo it ‘– your Limequat won’t be happy with too much fertilizer!