Phoenix's Most Productive Backyard Lime Tree — Seedless Fruit Year-Round

Bearss Lime (Citrus latifolia), also known as the Persian Lime or Tahiti Lime, is the go-to citrus tree for Phoenix Valley homeowners who want armloads of juicy, seedless limes without the fuss. This vigorous evergreen produces fruit almost year-round in the Phoenix climate, with peak harvests from fall through spring. Its glossy dark green foliage, fragrant white blossoms, and heavy fruit production make it both a productive orchard tree and a beautiful landscape specimen. Whether you're growing citrus in Scottsdale, squeezing fresh limes in Mesa, or adding a fruit tree to your Gilbert backyard — Bearss Lime delivers.

Bearss Lime Tree Plant Details

Attribute	Detail
Scientific Name	Citrus latifolia
Common Names	Bearss Lime, Persian Lime, Tahiti Lime
Mature Height	15–20 feet (easily pruned to 8–10 feet)
Mature Width	10–15 feet
Growth Rate	Fast — 2–3 feet per year in Phoenix
Sun	Full sun (6+ hrs). Produces best fruit with maximum sun exposure.
Water	Moderate. Regular deep watering, especially during fruit production.
USDA Zones	9–11 (Phoenix is Zone 9b–10a)
Soil	Well-draining. Adapts to Arizona caliche soils with proper drainage.
Foliage	Evergreen — glossy dark green leaves year-round
Fruit	Seedless, bright green limes — juicy, thin-skinned, and prolific
Bloom	Fragrant white flowers, multiple bloom cycles per year

Bearss Lime Tree Uses in Phoenix Landscapes

Backyard Citrus Orchard

Bearss Lime is the backbone of any Phoenix home citrus collection. Plant it alongside AZ Sweet Orange, Eureka Lemon, and Grapefruit for a diverse fruit harvest nearly every month of the year. Space trees 12–15 feet apart for a small orchard, or plant a single tree in a sunny corner for personal-use harvests that'll keep your kitchen stocked.

Edible Landscape Feature

With its glossy evergreen foliage and fragrant white blossoms, Bearss Lime is as beautiful as it is productive. Use it as a focal point in front and side yards where you want both curb appeal and fresh fruit. The compact canopy can be maintained at 8–10 feet with light annual pruning.

Patio & Courtyard Tree

Bearss Lime's manageable size and evergreen habit make it a wonderful courtyard or patio tree. The fragrant blossoms perfume outdoor living areas, and having fresh limes steps from your kitchen is a game-changer for cocktails, cooking, and entertaining in Scottsdale, Tempe, and Chandler homes.

Best Time to Plant Bearss Lime in Phoenix

Fall (October–November) and spring (February–April) are both excellent planting windows for citrus in Phoenix. Fall planting gives roots a head start before the growing season. Avoid planting in peak summer — citrus is sensitive to transplant shock in extreme heat. If you must plant in summer, provide temporary shade cloth for the first 2–3 weeks.

How to Plant Bearss Lime

1. Dig wide, not deep — 2–3x the root ball width, same depth as the container. Never bury the graft union.
2. Check for caliche — break through any hardpan layer. Citrus roots need free-draining soil or they'll develop root rot.
3. Backfill with native soil — mix in 20–30% compost for citrus. Unlike desert natives, lime trees appreciate richer soil.
4. Spacing — 12–15 feet from other trees; 8–10 feet from walls or fences.
5. Water basin — build a wide, shallow basin (3–4 feet diameter) to contain deep watering.
6. Mulch — 3–4 inches of organic mulch around the drip line, kept 6 inches away from the trunk.

Watering Bearss Lime in Phoenix

First Year Watering Schedule

• Weeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (30–45 min)
• Month 1–3: Every 3–4 days
• Month 3–6: Every 5–7 days
• After Year 1: Every 7–10 days in summer; every 14–21 days in winter

Drip Irrigation

Place 2–3 emitters (2 GPH each) around the drip line, 18–24 inches from the trunk. Citrus trees need consistent moisture — irregular watering causes fruit drop and split fruit. Increase watering frequency during fruit-set periods (spring and early summer).

How fast does Bearss Lime grow in Phoenix?
Very fast — expect 2–3 feet of growth per year in optimal conditions. A 10/15 gallon tree will be producing heavy harvests within 2–3 years of planting.

When does Bearss Lime produce fruit in Phoenix?
Bearss Lime can produce fruit nearly year-round in Phoenix, with the heaviest harvest from November through March. The fruit is ready to pick when it's full-sized and still bright green — don't wait for it to turn yellow.

Is Bearss Lime seedless?
Yes. Bearss (Persian) Limes are virtually seedless, making them the preferred lime for cooking and cocktails. They're the same variety you see in grocery stores.

Does Bearss Lime need frost protection?
Bearss Lime is more cold-sensitive than some citrus. In the Phoenix Valley, most winters are fine, but cover young trees or provide frost cloth when temperatures drop below 32°F. Established trees handle brief cold snaps better.

Can I keep it small?
Absolutely. Bearss Lime responds well to pruning and can be maintained at 8–10 feet tall and wide with annual shaping after the main harvest.

You May Also Like

• AZ Sweet Orange — A prolific backyard orange that pairs perfectly with Bearss Lime for a two-citrus orchard.
• Eureka Lemon — The classic backyard lemon tree, another citrus staple for Phoenix home orchards.
• Mexican Lime — A smaller, more aromatic lime variety (Key Lime) for those who want both types.
• Grapefruit — Arizona-grown grapefruit is legendary — add one to your citrus collection.

How Many Bearss Lime Trees Do I Need?

Bearss Lime matures 10 to 15 feet wide but takes pruning well and is easily held at 8 to 10 feet. Space trees 12 to 15 feet apart in open ground, or 8 to 10 feet from walls and fences. One tree keeps a kitchen well supplied with seedless limes. For a citrus row, use this guide at 13 foot spacing:

Row length	Trees needed
13 ft	1 to 2 trees
26 ft	3 trees
40 ft	4 trees
52 ft	5 trees

Bearss is self-fruitful, so a single tree produces a full crop without a pollinator partner.

Bearss Lime Season-by-Season in Phoenix

• Spring (Feb to Apr): A strong bloom flush of fragrant white flowers feeds bees and sets the main crop. Prime planting window. New growth pushes fast in warming weather.
• Summer (May to Sep): Vigorous growth and fruit sizing. Keep water consistent, since irregular moisture in extreme heat causes fruit drop and splitting. Multiple lighter bloom cycles can set additional fruit.
• Fall (Oct to Nov): The heavy harvest begins and runs into winter. Prime planting season. Pick limes full-sized and still bright green rather than waiting for yellow.
• Winter (Dec to Mar): Peak harvest, with fruit available almost continuously. Bearss is among the more frost-sensitive citrus: drape frost cloth over young trees below 32°F, and protect established trees on hard-freeze nights.

At a Glance

✔ Edible   ✔ Evergreen   ✔ Heat-Loving (Reflected-Heat Tolerant)   ✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Low-Maintenance

Plant It With

• AZ Sweet Orange: pairs with Bearss for a two-citrus backyard orchard with overlapping harvests.
• Eureka Lemon: the classic backyard lemon, a citrus staple that crops alongside this lime.
• Mexican Lime: a smaller, more aromatic Key Lime for cooks who want both lime types.
• Ruby Red Grapefruit: legendary Arizona-grown grapefruit to round out the citrus collection.

Is the Bearss Lime Right for Your Yard?

Bearss Lime thrives in full Phoenix sun with free-draining amended soil and steady, deep water during fruit set. Its compact, easily pruned size makes it a strong fit for patios, courtyards, and smaller yards. It is not the choice for a frost pocket or a no-irrigation desert bed: it runs a touch more cold-sensitive than orange or grapefruit and needs regular water to crop. Give it sun, drainage, and a hose schedule and it will hand you seedless limes nearly year-round.