How to grow Finger Lime in Australia
Grow finger lime in full sun to part shade in free-draining soil, in the ground in mild zones or a pot you can shelter. Water steadily and feed with a citrus fertiliser through the warm months.
At a glance
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 10 litres a week, watered every 3 days
- Spacing: 300 cm
- Time to harvest: 730 days (about 2 years)
- Time to germinate: 1 days
- Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
- Frost tolerance: Half hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | March to October | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | March to October | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | March to October | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | October and November | A frost tender native citrus. Melbourne frosts run roughly mid May to mid September, so plant Oct to Nov in a warm sheltered spot once frosts are over, and protect young plants on cold nights. |
| Adelaide & SA | September and October | Plant Sep to Oct in a warm sheltered spot with some shade from hot afternoon sun. Plains gardens rarely frost; in the Adelaide Hills, protect young plants with frost cloth for their first winters. |
| Perth & WA | March to October | |
| Tasmania | October and November | Marginal. Needs a sheltered frost-free microclimate or pot culture. Plant Oct to Nov. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Not cold hardy; a subtropical rainforest citrus. Grow it in a container moved under cover for winter. |
| North Queensland | May to October | Dry season establishment May to Oct. Finger lime is tropical native citrus; thrives in tropical north. |
| Darwin & Top End | May to October | Dry season establishment May to Oct. Finger lime is tropical native citrus; thrives in tropical north. |
Harvest and storage
Harvest tip
Pick when fruit is full sized, evenly coloured and parts easily from the stem with a light tug. Harvest by hand or clip the stalk to avoid bruising.