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Variety fit — North Carolina

Can I grow Key Lime citrus in North Carolina?

The verdict

Yes

  • Your zone 8a and typical 1361 chill hours both suit this variety.

Based on North Carolina’s main growing area (28601): zone 8a, ~1,361 chill hours. Your exact site may differ — check your ZIP.

The numbers

Key Lime requirements vs. North Carolina climate
Key Lime hardinessUSDA zones 8–11
North Carolina average chill (28601)1,361 hours (1,109–1,716 across 10 winters)
North Carolina zone (28601)USDA zone 8a
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:

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Questions

Can I grow Key Lime citrus in North Carolina?
Yes — Your zone 8a and typical 1361 chill hours both suit this variety.

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