Skip to content
EveryOrchard
Menu

Variety fit — South Carolina

Can I grow Key Lime in South Carolina?

The verdict

Yes

  • Your zone 8b and typical 918 chill hours both suit this variety.

Based on South Carolina’s main growing area (29201): zone 8b, ~918 chill hours. Your exact site may differ — check your ZIP.

The numbers

Key Lime requirements vs. South Carolina climate
Key Lime hardinessUSDA zones 8–11
South Carolina average chill (29201)918 hours (714–1,127 across 10 winters)
South Carolina zone (29201)USDA zone 8b
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:

Planting a Key Lime in South Carolina? Get its care calendar for your exact ZIP code, starting with this month’s tasks for one tree, free.

Save your first tree free

Questions

Can I grow Key Lime in South Carolina?
Yes — Your zone 8b and typical 918 chill hours both suit this variety.

Planting a Key Lime? Gear that helps

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Before you plantMySoil mail-in soil test kitLab-grade pH and nutrient analysis with amendment recommendations — worth doing before you plant.View on Amazon →First-year wateringTreegator slow-release watering bag20 gallons drips over 5–9 hours — the easiest way to keep a first-year tree consistently watered.View on Amazon →Bark protectionExpandable trunk protectors (5-pack)Stops rabbit, vole, and mower damage on young bark — cheap insurance for a new orchard.View on Amazon →

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