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Finger lime

Citrus australasica

A rainforest citrus whose finger-shaped fruit is filled with zesty 'caviar' pearls. In Adelaide it needs protection from hot afternoon sun and wind, and regular water. Grafted plants fruit in 2 to 3 years and suit large pots.

When to plant where you live

Checking your area…

Add finger lime to my garden

Planting times for other areas

Varieties (4)

  • AlstonvilleGreen skin with green pearls; a reliable cropper
  • Durham's EmeraldDark skin with emerald-green pearls
  • Rainforest PearlPink pulp and a compact habit; good for pots
  • Red ChampagneRed skin and pinkish-red pearls; vigorous

From seed to plate

  1. Plant

    200 cm apart. Full sun or part shade.

  2. Water

    Regular water; good drainage.

  3. Feed

    Citrus food sparingly.

  4. Pick

    Pick when fruit feels slightly soft.

Good to know

  • Pick fruit when it comes away easily and feels slightly soft
  • Thorny: wear gloves
  • Feed lightly with citrus fertiliser in spring and late summer

Common problems

  • Leaf burn and fruit drop in heatwavesgrow in dappled shade, mulch and water deeply
  • Citrus pests (scale, leaf miner, gall wasp)treat as for other citrus with horticultural oil following label directions
  • Yellow leavesfeed with citrus fertiliser and check drainage

If you use a garden chemical, follow the label exactly. Try organic options first, and ask the community or Plant Doctor if you're unsure.

Ask the garden helper about finger limeAny question, answered from the plant libraryHow others are growing finger limeQuestions, tips and harvests from the community

Native and wildlife

An Australian native. Plant tube stock in autumn so roots settle in over winter rain.

Good for: butterflies.

Safety: Like other citrus, leaves and peel contain essential oils and psoralens that can upset pets; the pulp is edible.

Where this information comes from

Reviewed by AI cross-check (Claude), not a horticulturist on 27 Oct 2026. Version 2.