Finger Limes

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Finger limes are Australian rainforest citrus, and the fruit is unlike any other: a slim pod packed with tiny juice beads that pop like caviar. Cooks use them on seafood, in drinks and over desserts. The plants are small, thorny and slow growing, so they suit pots and sheltered garden beds. Choose by the colour of the pearls, from green and pale pink to deep red, and by whether you want a long finger or the shorter, egg shaped fruit of the blood lime.

More information

How to choose a finger lime

The plain Finger Lime is the species, with green to yellow pearls and a sharp, clean lime flavour. Named varieties are selected for colour: the Pink Ice Finger Lime carries pink pearls, and the Red Champagne Finger Lime has dark red fruit with ruby pearls. The Rainforest Pearl Finger Lime is another selection with a good flavour balance.

The Red Centre Australian Blood Lime is different. It is a hybrid between a finger lime and another citrus, and it bears small, egg shaped red fruit rather than long fingers, with a juicier, more conventional lime feel.

Where finger limes grow

Finger limes come from the rainforest edges of south east Queensland and northern New South Wales, so they like filtered light, shelter from wind and soil that never dries right out. They grow well in the subtropics and warm temperate areas, and in cooler regions they do well in a pot that can be moved to a sunny, protected spot over winter. Expect a shrubby tree of two to four metres in the ground, and much less in a container.

If you are building a home orchard, see the wider range of citrus and fruit trees, or start with the other lime trees.

Planting and spacing

Plant in a position with morning sun and some protection from the hottest afternoon light. Use a free draining soil enriched with compost, and set the plant at the level it grew. Space plants about three metres apart. In a pot, choose a container of at least 40 centimetres across with drainage holes and a quality citrus potting mix.

Care basics

Keep the soil evenly moist, with mulch over the roots but clear of the trunk, and never let a potted plant dry out completely. Feed with a citrus fertiliser through spring and summer. Finger limes are naturally thorny, so wear gloves when pruning or picking. Prune lightly after harvest to keep the shape open. For general citrus pointers, our guide to growing citrus trees in your backyard applies here too.

Common questions

How do you eat a finger lime?

Cut the fruit in half and squeeze, and the pearls slide out. Use them fresh on oysters, fish, salads, desserts and in drinks. Heat dulls the flavour, so add them at the end.

Can I grow a finger lime in a pot?

Yes. They are one of the better citrus choices for containers because of their small size. Use good potting mix, water regularly and feed through the warm months.

When do finger limes fruit?

Most varieties fruit from late summer into autumn and winter, depending on the variety and your climate. Young plants take a few seasons to start bearing well.

Do finger limes have thorns?

Yes, short sharp thorns along the branches. Plant them away from paths and play areas.