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Variety fit — Virginia

Can I grow Key Lime citrus in Virginia?

The verdict

Not recommended

  • Your zone 7a is colder than this variety's hardiness range (zones 8–11); winter cold may damage or kill the tree.

Based on Virginia’s main growing area (22801): zone 7a, ~1,606 chill hours. Your exact site may differ — check your ZIP.

Key Lime requirements vs. Virginia climate
Key Lime hardinessUSDA zones 8–11
Virginia average chill (22801)1,606 hours (1,304–1,865 across 10 winters)
Virginia zone (22801)USDA zone 7a
USDA pomological watercolor of Key Lime citrus
Citrus aurantiifolia: KeyUSDA pomological watercolor, Mary Daisy Arnold, 1916 · USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

Or the same verdict for another region:

Can I grow Key Lime citrus in Virginia?
Probably not — Your zone 7a 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