Comparison · crop
Citrus: orange vs lemon vs lime vs grapefruit
Compare major citrus tree crops.
| Dimension | Orange | Lemon | Lime | Grapefruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Fruit crop | Tree fruit crop | Tree fruit crop | Tree fruit crop |
| Scientific name | Citrus sinensis (sweet orange) | Citrus limon | Citrus aurantiifolia (key lime); Citrus latifolia (Persian/Tahiti lime) | Citrus × paradisi |
| Botanical family | Rutaceae (citrus family) | Rutaceae (citrus family) | Rutaceae (citrus family) | Rutaceae (citrus family) |
| Lifecycle | Perennial | Perennial | Perennial | Perennial |
| Common diseases | Anthracnose, Citrus Canker | Citrus Canker, Anthracnose | Citrus Canker, Anthracnose | Citrus Canker, Anthracnose |
| Common pests | Aphids, Spider Mites | Scale Insects, Psyllids, Fruit Flies | Scale Insects, Psyllids, Fruit Flies | Scale Insects, Psyllids, Fruit Flies |
| Suitable soils | Sandy Soil, Loam Soil | Loam Soil, Sandy Soil | Loam Soil, Sandy Soil | Loam Soil, Sandy Soil |
Methodology
Descriptive dimensions (family, lifecycle, associated diseases/pests, soils) are read from each crop’s reference entry. No crop is ranked as “better”; agronomic outcomes are region- and system-specific.
Limitations
- Descriptive comparison only — not a yield, profitability, or suitability ranking.
- Associated diseases/pests and soils are typical, not exhaustive, and vary by region.
Sources
This article draws on the following authoritative sources. See our sources & methodology for how they are selected.
- [1]FAO — Food and Agriculture Organization (opens in a new tab)Authoritative
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- Type:
- Intergovernmental organization
- Jurisdiction:
- Global
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12
- Authoritative
- Type:
- Reference database
- Jurisdiction:
- United States
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12