How Long Does Limes Last?

A whole lime dries out a bit faster than a lemon at room temperature, so refrigeration matters even more here — a lime kept in the fridge lasts about 3-4 weeks, while one left on the counter often starts shriveling within just a few days.

A hard, wrinkled peel and a noticeably lighter feel for its size (from internal moisture loss) are the earliest signs a lime is past its best, even before any mold appears. Mold, typically showing as a fuzzy patch near the stem end, and a fermented smell replacing its normal sharp, citrusy scent are the clearer signs it's actually spoiled rather than simply dried out — a dried-out lime can sometimes still be juiced, just with less yield, while a moldy one should be discarded outright.

Limes left at room temperature rather than refrigerated dry out and lose their bright green color faster, often within just a few days, turning a duller yellow-green even before any real spoilage — refrigeration specifically helps limes retain that vibrant color longer than it does for a lemon or orange, which don't discolor quite as noticeably.

A lime that's turned partially yellow rather than staying green isn't necessarily spoiled — that color shift reflects natural ripening and can actually mean slightly less acidity and more sweetness, though a fully yellowed lime should still be checked for the same firmness and mold signs as a green one.

See Limes's full storage & shelf-life guide (with spoilage signs) →