Littleleaf Linden

How to grow Littleleaf Linden

Written by the GardenDecoded editorial team · Last reviewed 21 July 2026 · Written for UK gardens · How we research our guidance

Planting

Plant bare-root in winter on a site with room for a full-sized tree. It takes very well to pleaching or a formal clipped avenue, which is the usual way to use it in a garden of ordinary size. Keep it back from parking and seating areas.

Pruning

Little needed as a free-standing tree beyond removing deadwood in winter. Pleached and pollarded forms are cut back annually in winter to the established framework. Rub off basal shoots each summer, as this species produces them freely at the base.

Propagation

Layering works well and is the traditional method. Seed needs prolonged cold stratification and germinates slowly and unevenly; buying a young tree is usually more sensible.

Pests and diseases

Aphids are the main nuisance — heavy infestations produce sticky honeydew that drips onto anything parked or sitting beneath, followed by sooty mould. Small-leaved lime is generally less affected than common lime. Gall mites cause harmless red nail-like growths on the leaves.

Value to wildlife

The scented midsummer flowers are outstanding for bees, and the tree hosts a large number of invertebrates. It is an indicator of ancient woodland in much of Britain.

Notes

Choose this over the common lime (Tilia x europaea) for a garden — it suckers far less at the base and drips less honeydew. Flowering is late enough to fill an otherwise thin patch in the nectar calendar.

This guidance was researched and written by GardenDecoded — see our editorial policy for how guides are checked and reviewed.

Other names for this plant

These names have all been used for Tilia cordata but are no longer the accepted name. You may still meet them on old labels, in books, or in nursery catalogues.

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