Australian Finger Lime (Citrus Australasica)

Finger limes are considered a gourmet bushfood and are sought after by top restaurants around the world. Finger limes are a hardy shrub to small tree and in cultivation plants usually grow around 2 to 5 metres but can be pruned to a manageable height to make them easy to harvest. Leaves are significantly smaller than regular citrus, and they have thorns and slender finger-like fruit from 6 to 12 centimetres long.

Our plants are 3 years old grafted onto trifoliate rootstock. Very hardy and frost tolerant. Grafted plants will fruit much faster than the seedling or cutting grown.

You can use your finger limes with seafood, in salads, drinks, desserts, sauces or marmalades. Fruit can be frozen whole or the rind can be dried and crushed to be used as a spice.

To open, cut the fruit crossways and squeeze out the lime caviar. The oil from the skin can affect the flavour of the pulp, so it’s important to avoid getting excess oil from the skin on the pulp. 

Plants are healthy and bushy, some have flowers. 

Plant Care

• Soil: Prefers well-draining, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
• Watering: Water deeply and regularly, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
• Temperature: Thrives in temperatures between 15°C and 30°C. Protect from frost.
• Light: Full sun is essential for optimal growth and fruit production.
• Fertilising: Use a citrus-specific NPK fertilizer with micronutrients, typically a ratio like 6-3-3, every four to six weeks during the growing season.
• Pruning: Prune to shape, improve airflow, and remove dead or diseased branches in late winter or early spring.
• Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base to help retain moisture and suppress weeds, but keep it away from the trunk.
• Pest Control: Monitor for citrus pests such as scale, mites, and citrus leaf miner. Treat with appropriate insecticides or natural remedies.
• Flowering and Fruiting: Blooms in spring with fruit development continuing through summer and into fall, depending on the variety.
• Potting: Suitable for container growing, especially dwarf varieties. Ensure containers have good drainage.
• Feeding Regime: Increase feeding frequency during peak growing and fruiting periods.