Green Finger Lime Tree Live Plant – 2-3 Feet Tall, 3 Gallon Pot, Citrus

Overview

Cultivate your own gourmet citrus with this vibrant green finger lime tree. Known for its caviar-like pearls of tangy juice, the finger lime (Microcitrus australasica) is a unique and sought-after fruit. This is a live finger lime grafted plant, ensuring robust growth and earlier fruit production compared to seed-grown specimens. Originating from the rainforests of Australia, this citrus variety offers not only delicious fruit but also an attractive, bushy appearance that can enhance any garden or patio. It’s an excellent choice for home gardeners looking to add an unusual and productive fruit tree to their collection, providing a fresh, zesty ingredient for various culinary creations.

The finger lime plant is a fascinating specimen, producing elongated fruits filled with tiny, spherical vesicles that burst with flavor. These ‘citrus caviar’ pearls are highly prized by chefs and home cooks alike for their intense lime flavor and appealing texture. Our green finger lime tree arrives as a healthy, thriving plant, ready to be transplanted into your garden or a larger container. With proper care, you can enjoy the rewarding experience of harvesting your own fresh finger limes, bringing an exotic touch to your meals and beverages.

Key Benefits

Growing a green finger lime tree offers numerous advantages, from culinary delight to ornamental beauty. This unique citrus plant is a valuable addition to any garden, providing both aesthetic appeal and a bountiful harvest of distinctive fruit.

• Exotic Culinary Delights: Harvest fresh, tangy ‘citrus caviar’ pearls directly from your garden. These unique vesicles are perfect for garnishing seafood, salads, desserts, and cocktails, adding a burst of flavor and elegant presentation.
• Attractive Garden Feature: The compact, bushy habit and small, glossy leaves make the live finger lime an attractive ornamental plant for patios, balconies, or garden beds. Its unique fruit development also adds visual interest.
• Good for Health: Like other citrus fruits, finger limes are rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, contributing to a healthy diet and immune system.
• Adaptable Growth: While preferring warmer climates, this finger lime fruit tree can be grown in large containers and moved indoors during colder months in non-hardy zones, making it versatile for various growing environments.
• Rewarding & Educational: Experience the satisfaction of growing your own exotic fruit. It’s a great educational plant for families, teaching about unique plant life cycles and sustainable food practices.
• Aromatic Foliage: The leaves, when crushed, release a pleasant citrusy aroma, adding another sensory dimension to your garden experience.
• Supports Pollinators: The small, fragrant flowers attract bees and other beneficial pollinators to your garden, contributing to local biodiversity.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your green finger lime tree is straightforward, especially when provided with the right conditions. This citrus plant outdoor thrives in specific environments that mimic its native habitat. For optimal growth and fruit production, attention to sunlight, water, and soil is crucial. Ensure your plant receives ample light, as citrus trees are sun-lovers. In USDA Zones 9 to 11, it can be planted directly in the ground. For colder climates, it’s best grown in a pot that can be moved indoors before the first frost.

Sunlight Requirements: The finger lime fruit tree requires full sun exposure, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. When growing indoors, place it near a south-facing window or supplement with a grow light to ensure it receives adequate light. Insufficient light can lead to poor growth and reduced fruit set. Watering Schedule: Regular watering is essential, especially during warm weather and while the plant is establishing. The soil should be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so ensure good drainage. Soil Type: Use a well-draining potting mix specifically formulated for citrus plants or a general-purpose potting mix amended with perlite or sand to improve drainage. In-ground planting requires well-draining soil; amend heavy clay soils with organic matter. Temperature Range & USDA Hardiness Zone: This plant thrives in USDA Zones 9 to 11. It prefers temperatures between 60-90°F (15-32°C). Protect from frost, as temperatures below 30°F (-1°C) can damage or kill the plant. Fertilization: Fertilize with a balanced citrus-specific fertilizer during the growing season (spring to early fall), following the product’s instructions. Reduce or stop fertilizing during winter dormancy. Common Problems: Watch out for common citrus pests like aphids, scale, and spider mites. Treat infestations promptly with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Yellowing leaves can indicate nutrient deficiencies or improper watering.

Size & Details

This green finger lime tree arrives as a healthy, actively growing specimen. It is a grafted plant, typically standing 2 to 3 feet tall from the base of the pot to the top of the foliage, and is securely rooted in a 3-gallon nursery pot. The grafting process ensures that you receive a genetically identical plant to the parent, often leading to earlier and more reliable fruit production. When mature and planted in the ground under ideal conditions, the finger lime fruit tree can reach a height of 6-8 feet, forming an attractive, dense shrub or small tree. Its growth rate is moderate, and with proper care, you can expect blooms in spring to early summer, followed by fruit development. The fruit typically ripens in late summer to fall, providing a harvest of unique, tangy finger limes.

The plant is shipped in its nursery pot with soil, carefully packaged to minimize stress during transit. Upon arrival, it will be ready for immediate transplanting into a larger container or directly into your garden if your climate permits. The 3-gallon pot size provides a good head start, giving the plant a robust root system to quickly establish itself in its new home. This live finger lime is a promising addition for anyone eager to grow their own exotic fruit.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: This green finger lime tree is currently 2 to 3 feet tall in a 3-gallon pot. When mature and planted in the ground, it can reach a height of 6-8 feet. For container growing, its size can be managed with pruning.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The finger lime fruit tree is primarily an outdoor plant for USDA Zones 9-11. In colder climates, it can be grown outdoors during warm months and brought indoors as a potted plant before temperatures drop, making it a versatile citrus plant outdoor or indoor option.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This citrus plant requires full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and fruit production. Ensure it receives ample light both indoors and out.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: While not overly difficult, the green finger lime tree requires consistent care regarding sunlight, watering, and fertilization. It’s a rewarding plant for gardeners with some experience or those willing to learn specific citrus care.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your live finger lime plant will arrive carefully packaged in its 3-gallon nursery pot with soil, ready for transplanting. We take great care to ensure it reaches you in healthy, vibrant condition.
• Q: Can I use finger lime in cooking? A: Absolutely! Finger limes are highly prized for their unique ‘citrus caviar’ pearls, which add a burst of tangy flavor and elegant texture to seafood, salads, desserts, cocktails, and more.
• Q: When is the best time to plant? A: For in-ground planting in suitable zones, spring or early summer is ideal. If growing in a container, it can be planted any time of year, allowing for easier transition indoors when needed.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: The finger lime fruit tree is hardy in USDA Zones 9 to 11. If you are outside these zones, the plant must be protected from frost by bringing it indoors during winter.
• Q: What type of soil does it need? A: It thrives in well-draining soil. A citrus-specific potting mix or a general potting mix amended with perlite or sand is recommended to ensure good drainage.
• Q: How long until it blooms and fruits? A: As a grafted plant, it can begin blooming and fruiting relatively quickly, often within 1-2 years of planting. Blooms typically appear in spring to early summer, with fruit ripening in late summer to fall.