Spanish Lime, Quenepa (Melicoccus bijugatus)
Regular price $19.95Sweet-Tangy Fruit with Jelly-Like Flesh
Spanish Lime (Melicoccus bijugatus) is a tropical fruit tree native to the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America. It produces small, round green fruits with orange to yellowish flesh that has a sweet, tangy flavor and jelly-like texture similar to lychee or longan. The glossy green foliage and rounded canopy also make it a beautiful tropical landscape tree.
Cultural & Culinary Significance
Also known as Quenepa, Mamoncillo, Genip, and Kenep, Spanish Lime is widely loved throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, where the fruit is commonly enjoyed fresh as a snack or street food. The pulp can also be used in juices, jams, desserts, and fermented beverages. In traditional medicine, the bark and leaves have been used for digestive issues, blood pressure, and respiratory ailments.
Why Grow Spanish Lime?
- Delicious Tropical Fruit: Sweet-tangy flesh makes a refreshing snack.
- Unique Texture: Jelly-like pulp has a texture similar to lychee or longan.
- Tropical Beauty: Glossy foliage and a rounded canopy provide lush shade.
- Versatile Fruit: Enjoy fresh or use in drinks, jams, desserts, and more.
- Cultural Favorite: A beloved fruit throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.
Growing Tips
(Also known as: Spanish Lime, Quenepa, Mamoncillo, Genip, Limoncillo, Kenep, Chenet, Melicoccus bijugatus*)*
Spanish Lime grows best in full sun and well-draining soil with consistent moisture while young. Give it plenty of room to develop its large canopy and protect young trees from frost. Trees can reach up to 80 feet in ideal conditions, but pruning can keep them closer to 30–50 feet in home gardens.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Melicoccus bijugatus |
| Common Names | Spanish Lime, Quenepa, Mamoncillo, Genip, Limoncillo, Kenep, Chenet |
| Family | Sapindaceae |
| Origin | Northern South America and the Caribbean |
| Plant Type | Tropical/Subtropical Fruit Tree |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Mature Size | Typically grown and maintained up to 6–12 ft. tall with a canopy spread of up to 4 ft. Can grow up to 40 ft. in native landscape or if allowed. |
| Light | Full Sun, Part Shade |
| Water Needs | High, especially during hotter months |
| Soil | Rich, well-draining soil with lots of water |
| Bloom Time | Mid–Late Spring |
| Flower Color | White to Greenish |
| USDA Zones | Outdoors 9–12 with frost protection until established; Patio/Greenhouse 4+ |
| Florida Native | No |
| Propagation | Seed |
| Seasonal Traits | Evergreen |
| Self-Fertile | Yes and No. A few cultivars are self-fruitful. However, with seedlings, both male and female trees are usually needed, and even self-fruitful cultivars do better with a second male nearby. |
| Growth Rate | Medium, Slow |
| Harvest Season | Summer, Fall |
| Time to Harvest | About 5 years from seed |
| Ripeness | There is no color change when the fruit are ripe. Tasting is the most reliable method of identifying ripeness. The fruit are more tart than sweet when not ripe, and the rind becomes somewhat more brittle when ripe. |
| Cold Hardiness | Young trees are hardy only to 32°F. Cold hardiness gradually improves with age, and very old trees may withstand 20°F, although small branches and leaves will be killed. |
Propagation
Medium plants can fruit in about 5 years from seed; our 3-gallon XL plants are approximately 4–5 ft. tall and may fruit sooner depending on growing conditions.
Pollination
A few cultivars are self-fruitful. However, with seedlings, both male and female trees are usually needed, and even self-fruitful cultivars do better with a second male nearby. At this stage in the plant’s growth, there is no way to tell the gender, so we recommend getting multiple plants for the best chances of future fruit.
Wondering about your USDA Growing Zone and what you can grow? 🌎🌿 Learn how to find your Zone and grow tropical plants anywhere—Florida to Alaska! 👉 Read the full blog here!
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