Persian 'Bearss' Lime Tree | Seedless Fruiting Citrus

The World’s Most Popular Lime — Grown in Your Own Garden

Persian ‘Bearss’ Lime Tree (Citrus latifolia 'Bearss') produces the same seedless, thin-skinned limes found in every grocery store, restaurant, and bar in the US — and for good reason. Bearss is the gold standard of commercial lime production, prized for its prolific yields, seedless fruit, nearly thornless canes, and exceptional juice content. Tree-ripened Bearss limes have a bright, intensely aromatic flavor that far surpasses anything you’ll find at the store. The tree itself is a handsome, dense evergreen with glossy dark-green foliage and intensely fragrant white blossoms that perfume the air in spring. It is one of the most productive and reliable fruiting citrus trees you can grow, and its compact size makes it ideal for containers in colder climates.

Why Bearss Is the Premier Home Lime Tree

• World’s most popular lime variety — the same lime found in grocery stores and restaurants worldwide; universally recognized for superior flavor, juice content, and seedlessness
• Seedless fruit — virtually seed-free; no picking seeds out of your guacamole, cocktails, or cooking
• Nearly thornless — far fewer thorns than most citrus; much easier and safer to harvest and prune than thorny lime varieties
• Prolific producer — one of the heaviest-bearing lime varieties available; produces fruit nearly year-round in ideal climates
• Intensely fragrant blossoms — white flowers perfume the surrounding area in spring; a sensory bonus beyond the fruit
• Dense, glossy evergreen foliage — attractive year-round; provides tropical aesthetic and privacy screening
• Container-friendly — thrives in large containers (15–25 gal) for patios and indoor growing in colder climates

Hardiness & Growing Zones

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 9–11 (in-ground); zones 4–8 with container growing and frost protection
• Zone 9: Hardy in-ground in most zone 9 locations; established trees tolerate brief dips to 28–30°F; plant in a sheltered, south-facing location; protect young trees from frost
• Zones 10–11: Ideal conditions; vigorous growth with prolific, near-year-round fruit production
• Zones 4–8: Grow in a large container (15–25 gal); move indoors or to a frost-free space when temperatures drop below 32°F; place in the brightest available window or supplement with grow lights
• Sunlight: Full sun (8+ hours required for best fruit production)
• Soil: Well-draining soil is critical — citrus is sensitive to root rot in waterlogged conditions; raised beds or mounded planting sites recommended in heavy clay soils
• Mature size: 10–15 ft in-ground if unpruned; easily maintained at 6–10 ft with annual pruning; 4–6 ft in containers
• Years to fruit: Typically 2–3 years from a grafted tree; may fruit sooner in ideal conditions

Planting & Care Tips

Plant in the sunniest, best-drained location available. Water deeply but allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings — never let the tree sit in standing water. Fertilize 3–4 times per year with a citrus-specific fertilizer; consistent feeding is key to prolific fruit production. Mulch heavily around the base (keeping mulch away from the trunk) to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. In containers, use a quality citrus potting mix and ensure excellent drainage. Harvest limes when they reach full size and the skin begins to turn from dark green to a slightly lighter, more yellow-green — Bearss limes are typically harvested green, before they fully yellow.

Available Size

• 1–2 ft. (5-inch container) — young, well-rooted starter tree; ideal for container growing and indoor citrus collections