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Variety fit — Minnesota

Can I grow Key Lime citrus in Minnesota?

The verdict

Not recommended

  • Your zone 5a is colder than this variety's hardiness range (zones 8–11); winter cold may damage or kill the tree.

Based on Minnesota’s main growing area (55401): zone 5a, ~1,191 chill hours. Your exact site may differ — check your ZIP.

The numbers

Key Lime requirements vs. Minnesota climate
Key Lime hardinessUSDA zones 8–11
Minnesota average chill (55401)1,191 hours (1,020–1,451 across 10 winters)
Minnesota zone (55401)USDA zone 5a
USDA pomological watercolor of Key Lime citrus
Citrus aurantiifolia: KeyUSDA pomological watercolor, Mary Daisy Arnold, 1916 · USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

Keep checking

Or the same verdict for another region:

Questions

Can I grow Key Lime citrus in Minnesota?
Probably not — Your zone 5a is colder than this variety's hardiness range (zones 8–11); winter cold may damage or kill the tree.

Sources

  1. [1] Open-Meteo / Copernicus ERA5. Historical Weather API (hourly 2m temperature) — accessed July 2026
  2. [2] USDA / PRISM (Oregon State University). 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — accessed July 2026
  3. [3] Four Winds Growers. Mexican Key Lime Tree — product page — accessed July 2026