Principal season is summer in south Florida and later further north. Budded trees should produce fruit within 3 years, while seedling trees require another year or two before fruiting. The Key lime is very sensitive to cold temperatures, which limits it to warm areas of southern Florida. Locally cold locations within a given area may be hazardous whereas some locally warm locations outside an area may be suitable. Trees should be planted in locations sheltered from cold north winds.
Key lime has a high total heat requirement for the production of good sized fruit.
The Key lime is well adapted to a variety of soils. It was formerly grown commercially and is naturalized in the Florida Keys where it is well suited to the rocky alkaline soils. However, salt damage is a frequent problem there. The tree grows more vigorously in deep sandy soils but tends to have fewer fruit that are larger and less juicy and have a thicker peel. Key lime requires good drainage and does not tolerate flooded conditions.