What soil does Silver lime grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, calcareous.

Is Silver lime hardy?

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Silver lime be planted?

Plant it at least 2.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 1.5 m from paving.

When does Silver lime flower?

Flowering: June–July, yellow, white.

How much water does Silver lime need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

Silver lime

Tilia tomentosa

Silver lime (Tilia tomentosa) is a large tree. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: high.

Illustration of Silver lime — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

Silver lime is a large shade tree with a regular crown; its leaves are dark green above and felted silvery white beneath, so the canopy shimmers in the wind. Of all the limes it copes best with drought, heat and city air, and in midsummer its strongly scented flowers draw in bees. Plant it only in a roomy garden, because it grows past 20 metres tall and very wide.

Watch out for

It has no serious pest or disease. Thanks to its felted leaves it is far less troubled by aphids than other limes, so sticky honeydew is rarely a nuisance under it; in dry summers spider mites may appear and verticillium wilt is an occasional risk. Towards the end of flowering dazed or dead bumblebees are often found beneath it. This used to be blamed on toxic nectar, but studies have not confirmed that: the most likely cause is starvation, because nectar is scarce in late summer and the insects keep working the scented but already empty flowers. Having other late-flowering plants nearby helps.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Low
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 7 m × 4 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D June–July, yellow, white

Group	Large tree
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	7 m × 4 m
Ultimate size	15–25 m × 9–20 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	June–July, yellow, white
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 2.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 1.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	1000 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	Non-toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	no data

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Plants that give shade Fragrant plants Plants with autumn colour Large trees with autumn colour

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