How to Care for a Finger Lime Tree

Limes are a popular citrus fruit for home growers. Their foliage is a deep, glossy green, and the fruit is both visually appealing and useful. On top of that, their bright white blossoms bring a fresh citrus scent with them when they bloom. Finger limes are a special variety of lime tree found in Australia. The fruit of a finger lime tree are long and thin, resembling cucumbers. Because finger lime trees are tropical, they take some additional care.

Pot

Sand

Peat

Perlite

Water

Fertilizer

Grow your finger lime tree in a 7 to 10-gallon pot so you can keep it outdoors in the warm months and move it inside during cold weather or freezes. Like all citrus trees, finger lime can be kept inside as long as it gets enough sunlight. This tropical tree is also well suite to greenhouse growing.

Maintain your finger lime's soil needs. Finger lime needs quick-draining soil, so keep it in a mix of equal parts sand, peat and perlite. Make sure the tree's pot is getting adequate drainage through a drainage hole at the bottom.

Keep your tree moist. You should water it consistently enough to keep the soil moist but never wet. Do not allow the tree to sit in water, since this will damage the roots and tree.

Fertilize your finger lime with a consistent diet of 3-1-1 or 12-8-4 fertilizer. Feed the tree once a month, and always follow manufacturer directions when mixing and feeding fertilizer.

Use finger limes as garnishes or in drinks, chutneys, jams and marmalade.

Finger limes can be green, yellow, red, purple or black.

Finger lime trees have large thorns.

All citrus trees will be damaged by cold weather and frost.