Small-leaved Lime
Tilia cordata
Also known as Small-leaf Linden, Little-leaf Linden
Climate Match for your location
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A medium-sized deciduous tree with small dark-green leaves and fragrant small yellow flowers in early summer. It is valued as an urban street tree and provides excellent shade with good fall color.
Why grow it
Small-leaved lime is notably more cold-hardy and compact than its larger relative, large-leaved lime (Tilia platyphyllos), making it better suited to northern temperate regions and smaller urban spaces. It tolerates air pollution and compacted soil better than many shade trees, which is why it remains a standard choice for street plantings across Europe and North America. The flowers are particularly attractive to pollinators, supporting its role in urban and suburban landscapes where habitat connectivity matters.
Watch out for
Limes can experience branch dieback or reduced vigor if planted in very wet, poorly drained soils or in areas with hot, dry summers without supplemental irrigation during establishment. The tree's dense canopy can create heavy shade that suppresses understory growth, and accumulated leaf litter may require management in formal settings. Some cultivars are prone to aphid infestations in mid to late summer, which can result in honeydew drip onto surfaces below, though this typically causes no lasting harm to the tree itself.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Malvaceae
Native Range
Europe and Western Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A medium-sized deciduous tree with small dark-green leaves and fragrant small yellow flowers in early summer. It is valued as an urban street tree and provides excellent shade with good fall color.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Small-leaved Lime grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Small-leaved lime is notably more cold-hardy and compact than its larger relative, large-leaved lime (Tilia platyphyllos), making it better suited to northern temperate regions and smaller urban spaces. It tolerates air pollution and compacted soil better than many shade trees, which is why it remains a standard choice for street plantings across Europe and North America. The flowers are particularly attractive to pollinators, supporting its role in urban and suburban landscapes where habitat connectivity matters.
Watch out for
Limes can experience branch dieback or reduced vigor if planted in very wet, poorly drained soils or in areas with hot, dry summers without supplemental irrigation during establishment. The tree's dense canopy can create heavy shade that suppresses understory growth, and accumulated leaf litter may require management in formal settings. Some cultivars are prone to aphid infestations in mid to late summer, which can result in honeydew drip onto surfaces below, though this typically causes no lasting harm to the tree itself.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Malvaceae
Native Range
Europe and Western Asia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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