Small-leaved lime
Tilia cordata · Malvaceae
📷 ImreKiss · CC BY 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around small-leaved lime and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- May to June
- Adult size
- Up to 15 m in height
- Growth
- Moderate to fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -25 °C)
- Origin
- Central and western Europe
- Soil type
- Well-drained, neutral to alkaline soils
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Small-leaved linden grows steadily without asking much. Loose soil and initial watering are all it needs.
The common mistake
Overloading it with maintenance or complicated pruning—it's a straightforward plant that doesn't like to be fussed over.
The pro's trick
If you need to prune it, do it in winter when it's dormant: wounds heal better and there's no sap flow.
Care
Exposure
The small-leaved linden thrives in full sun or partial shade. It appreciates sunny locations that encourage generous flowering. Protection from strong winds is recommended, especially in windy regions.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year after planting to encourage root establishment. Once established, the linden tolerates dry periods well thanks to its deep root system. During prolonged drought, occasional watering keeps its foliage vigorous.
Soil
The linden prefers well-drained, neutral to alkaline soils. It adapts to most soils but dislikes waterlogging. Adding compost when planting improves soil structure and promotes initial growth.
Pruning and training
Prune lightly after flowering to form a nice framework. Remove dead or crossing branches. Young lindens benefit from formative pruning during the first three years to develop a balanced, airy shape.
Fertiliser
An annual application of well-rotted compost in autumn is generally sufficient. Avoid excessive nitrogen fertiliser which promotes foliage at the expense of flowering. An established linden is not demanding in terms of nutrition.
Diseases and pests
The linden is generally robust. Occasionally monitor for aphids and spider mites during warm periods. Good air circulation and regular watering prevent most fungal problems. Damage is usually minor.
Did you know?
The small-leaved linden has been revered in central Europe for centuries: linden trees have historically marked public squares and cities for their remarkable longevity (some specimens exceed 600 years). Its nectar-rich flowers have been renowned since antiquity for producing delicate and fragrant honey, making the linden a precious species for beekeepers.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Rose of SharonHibiscus syriacus
- Marsh mallowAlthaea officinalis
- Silver LimeTilia tomentosa
- Crimean lindenTilia euchlora
- Swamp hibiscusHibiscus moscheutos
- Flower of an hourHibiscus trionum
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.