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Tree · Malvaceae familyornamental and medicinal · also in Medicinal herbs

Small-leaved lime

Tilia cordata

Full sun to part shade in a garden ~6 m × ~4 m Flowers June–July to −34 °C

Flower colours Click a colour

Herbal tea (infusion)

Herbal tea · dose1.5 gof dried flowers

steep5–15 min

how often2–4× a day

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun to part shade

in a garden after 10 years~6 m
in the wild up to 30 m
spacing 10 m

FlowersJune–July

PlantingMarch–April, October–November

WinterNo winter protection

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun to part shade, in soil from dry to moist.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more

Part shade3–6 hours

Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

tolerates any pH

acidicneutralalkaline

dry to moistloamy

Watering

only in dry spellsregularly until establishedless when it rains

Frost

−34 °C

no winter protectionleafless in winter

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

15–30 m× spread 10–15 m

Plant 10 m apart.

Reaches maturity in about 20–50 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

FlowersPlantingFeeding

Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant, bare-root, root-balled).

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

June–July · yellow

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, October–November; bare-root: March–April, October–November; root-balled: March–April, October–November

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–June

Feeding

Nutrition.

Horn meal

up to 55 g/m² a year, if the soil needs it · May–June

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

High riskMedium riskLow riskRisk for this plant according to the source · no label = no documented level

Verticillium wilt

Verticillium

Medium riskdisease

More about this problem

What you will see

Branches suddenly wilt and die back; it occurs rarely but can be fatal.

The source says: lindens are also susceptible.

How to protect

Rare, but can be fatal; contact an expert.

Verticillium wiltdiseaseMedium risk

What you will see

Branches suddenly wilt and die back; it occurs rarely but can be fatal.

The source says: lindens are also susceptible.

How to protect

Rare, but can be fatal; contact an expert.

More about this problem

Aphids

Aphids

Aphidoidea

Medium riskpest

More about this problem

What you will see

Colonies of aphids on shoots and the undersides of leaves, sticky honeydew and sooty mould.

The source says: lindens are commonly infested with linden aphids.

How to protect

Prevention
- Check plants at least twice a week during fast growth.
By hand early morningWash aphids off with a strong jet of water; remove badly infested curled shoots.
BiologicalEncourage ladybirds, hoverflies and lacewings; limit ants, which protect aphids.
Gentle spray repeat as neededInsecticidal soap or horticultural oil, thoroughly, including the undersides of leaves.

AphidspestMedium risk

What you will see

Colonies of aphids on shoots and the undersides of leaves, sticky honeydew and sooty mould.

The source says: lindens are commonly infested with linden aphids.

How to protect

Prevention
- Check plants at least twice a week during fast growth.
By hand early morningWash aphids off with a strong jet of water; remove badly infested curled shoots.
BiologicalEncourage ladybirds, hoverflies and lacewings; limit ants, which protect aphids.
Gentle spray repeat as neededInsecticidal soap or horticultural oil, thoroughly, including the undersides of leaves.

More about this problem

Spider mites

Spider mites

pest

More about this problem

What you will see

Leaves are speckled and bronzing, with fine webbing on the underside.

How to protect

Prevention
- Reduce dust and water stress; do not use broad-spectrum insecticides, which cause mite outbreaks.
By handA strong jet of water on the underside of leaves.
Gentle sprayInsecticidal soap or oil, thoroughly on the undersides; only after mites are confirmed.

Spider mitespest

What you will see

Leaves are speckled and bronzing, with fine webbing on the underside.

How to protect

Prevention
- Reduce dust and water stress; do not use broad-spectrum insecticides, which cause mite outbreaks.
By handA strong jet of water on the underside of leaves.
Gentle sprayInsecticidal soap or oil, thoroughly on the undersides; only after mites are confirmed.

More about this problem

Scale insects

Scale insects

pest

More about this problem

What you will see

Tiny brown scales on branches, sticky honeydew, weakening growth.

How to protect

By handRemove heavily infested twigs.
Gentle spray winter / after the crawlers hatchHorticultural oil on the bark in the dormant season, or in season right after the crawlers hatch.

Scale insectspest

What you will see

Tiny brown scales on branches, sticky honeydew, weakening growth.

How to protect

By handRemove heavily infested twigs.
Gentle spray winter / after the crawlers hatchHorticultural oil on the bark in the dormant season, or in season right after the crawlers hatch.

More about this problem

Sources (6)

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

When does small-leaved lime flower?

In June–July; the flowers are yellow.

Does small-leaved lime tolerate shade?

It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.

How much space does small-leaved lime need?

At maturity 10–15 m wide and 15–30 m tall; recommended spacing 10 m.

Aphids — what can you do?

Check plants at least twice a week during fast growth. Wash aphids off with a strong jet of water; remove badly infested curled shoots.

Sources (22) Checked 24 October 2026

plants.ces.ncsu.edu
landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu
vdberk.com
api.gbif.org
gd.eppo.int
polleninformation.at
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
ema.europa.eu 2
rhs.org.uk 2 3 4 5
hgic.clemson.edu
lwg.bayern.de
Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark

Similar plants

Have a look at these too.

silver linden

Tilia tomentosa

15–25 m × 12–18 m

Low maintenancetree

Nordmann fir

Abies nordmanniana

20–30 m × 6–10 m

Low maintenancetree

Norway maple

Acer platanoides

12–30 m × 10–15 m

Low maintenancetree

sycamore

Acer pseudoplatanus

20–30 m × 12–20 m

Low maintenancetree

Preparation and use · small-leaved lime

How to prepare it.

According to the monograph of the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Part usedFlower

symptoms of the common coldmild symptoms of mental stress

part: flower

For: symptoms of the common cold For whom: Adolescents, adults, elderly

What you use: Herb
How it is used: By mouth
Single dose: 1.5 g of dried flowers in 150 ml of boiling water
How often: 2–4× a day
Daily total: 3–6 g a day
When to start: At the first signs
How long: If symptoms last longer than 1 week or get worse, see a doctor.

Method

1
Start at the first signs.
2
Put 1.5 g of dried flowers in a cup.
3
Pour over 150 ml of boiling water.
4
Steep for 5–15 min.
10:00
5
Drink 2–4× a day.

For: symptoms of the common cold For whom: 4–12 years · children

What you use: Herb
How it is used: By mouth
Single dose: 1 g of dried flowers in 150 ml of boiling water
How often: 2–4× a day
Daily total: 2–4 g a day
When to start: At the first signs
How long: If symptoms last longer than 1 week or get worse, see a doctor.

Method

1
Start at the first signs.
2
Put 1 g of dried flowers in a cup.
3
Pour over 150 ml of boiling water.
4
Steep for 5–15 min.
5
Drink 2–4× a day.

For: mild symptoms of mental stress For whom: From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly

What you use: Herb
How it is used: By mouth
Single dose: 1.5 g of dried flowers in 150 ml of boiling water
How often: 2–4× a day
Daily total: 3–6 g a day

Method

1
Put 1.5 g of dried flowers in a cup.
2
Pour over 150 ml of boiling water.
3
Steep for 5–15 min.
4
Drink 2–4× a day.

Dosage

Form	Single dose	How often	For whom	How long	Instructions
Herbal tea (infusion)at homepart: flowerfor: symptoms of the common cold	1.5 g of dried flowers in 150 ml of boiling water	2–4× a day · 3–6 g a day in total	Adolescents, adults, elderly	longer than 1 week → see a doctor	When to start: at the first signs
Herbal tea (infusion)at homepart: flowerfor: symptoms of the common cold	1 g of dried flowers in 150 ml of boiling water	2–4× a day · 2–4 g a day in total	4–12 years · children	longer than 1 week → see a doctor	When to start: at the first signs
Herbal tea (infusion)at homepart: flowerfor: mild symptoms of mental stress	1.5 g of dried flowers in 150 ml of boiling water	2–4× a day · 3–6 g a day in total	From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly
Children under 4: not recommended

How long

If symptoms last longer than 1 week or get worse, see a doctor. — for: symptoms of the common cold · Adolescents, adults, elderly; 4–12 years · children

Who should not use it

Children under 4: not recommended
If hypersensitive (allergic) to this plant
During pregnancy and breastfeeding (not recommended)

Cautions

If shortness of breath, fever or purulent sputum occurs, see a doctor.
If symptoms get worse, see a doctor.
If symptoms persist, see a doctor.

Usage data: European Medicines Agency (EMA) monograph — Tiliae flos·Steeping time: EMA glossary on herbal teas

Home-made tincture · per the EMA

Tincture at home.

The EMA also lists a tincture. This is how to make it from dried herb from your bed.

Part usedFlower

Herb : alcohol ratio1 : 5e.g. 20 g per 100 ml

Alcohol45 %ethanol

Steep3 daysin the dark, at room temperature

Single dose1 ml1–2× a day

1

Weigh

20 g

of dried flowers, chopped

2

Cover with alcohol

100 ml

ethanol 45 %, in a glass jar

3

Leave to steep

3 days

close the jar, keep it in the dark and shake it now and then

4

Strain

into a dark bottle

press out the herb, label the bottle with name and date

5

Use

1 ml

1–2× a day

Before taking the tincture

The tincture contains alcohol. Read this before use:

Not for children (adolescents and adults only)
If hypersensitive (allergic) to this plant
During pregnancy and breastfeeding (not recommended)
The tincture contains alcohol (ethanol).
If shortness of breath, fever or purulent sputum occurs, see a doctor.
If symptoms get worse, see a doctor.
If you take any medicines, ask a doctor or pharmacist.
Do not drive after taking it.

Good to know

How long

If symptoms last longer than 1 week or get worse, see a doctor.

What 1 : 5 means

1 g of dried flowers per 5 ml of alcohol — so 20 g per 100 ml.

Which alcohol

Ethanol 45 %. Ordinary shop-bought spirit (40 %) is weaker than the EMA states.

Source: European Medicines Agency (EMA) monograph — Tiliae flos · Steeping days and straining. Conversions (grams per 100 ml) are calculated by GridGarden from the ratio in the monograph. Cautions not in the monograph were added by GridGarden.

Small-leaved lime in a raised bed: where to plant, size, pruning, winterGrowing

This is not medical advice. More

This is not medical advice. We only state traditional use as described in the monograph of the European Medicines Agency (EMA, HMPC committee). If you have health problems, are pregnant or breastfeeding, for children and when taking medicines, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

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