Collette Finger Lime

Collette Finger Lime (Citrus australasica 'Collette') is a heavy-cropping native citrus with long fruit, to 10cm, in black-purple skin. Cut one open and the pearls inside are lime green to champagne. It grows as an upright, thorny shrub 3 to 4m high and about 2.5m wide in the ground, and stays smaller as a grafted plant in a pot. Fruit ripens mainly from autumn to winter.

Why you'll love it

• Long, dark fruit. Finger-shaped fruit to 10cm with black-purple skin are among the longest of the named finger limes.
• Pale pearls. The juice vesicles are lime green to champagne and pop out as separate beads when the fruit is cut and squeezed.
• Heavy cropping. Collette is known for carrying generous crops once the plant is established.
• Grafted plants. Grafted finger limes crop sooner and grow more evenly than plants raised from seed.
• An Australian native. Finger limes come from the rainforest margins of eastern Australia.

Where it works best

Kitchen garden feature. Plant it where you can reach the fruit easily but away from paths, as the branches are thorny.

Large pots. A grafted plant grows well in a large container of quality citrus potting mix, staying smaller than it would in the ground.

Sheltered corners. As an understorey plant by nature, it enjoys a warm spot with morning sun and shelter from hot afternoon wind.

Growing Collette Finger Lime in Australia

Position and climate. Grow in sun to part shade. Shelter young plants from hot wind and from frost. Established plants tolerate light frost, and the plant is at its best in subtropical and warm temperate gardens.

Soil. Good drainage is essential. Improve the soil with compost, plant on a mound in heavy ground and keep mulch a hand span clear of the trunk.

Water and feed. Water regularly, especially through flowering and while fruit is swelling. Feed with a citrus food in small amounts through the growing season, as finger limes are lighter feeders than lemons.

Pruning and picking. Prune lightly after harvest to shape, wearing gloves against the thorns, and remove any shoots from below the graft. Fruit does not ripen further once picked, so harvest when it comes away with a gentle pull.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Collette Finger Lime in 400mm pots, one advanced grafted plant per pot. Unpack with gloves on, water well and plant out or pot on soon after arrival. Finger limes grow slowly, so allow the plant a season to settle before expecting a good crop. Our growers do not hold every size all year, so a size can show as on backorder at times. An order for a backorder size is confirmed with you before anything ships.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse more citrus trees
• Edible plants for the home garden
• Bush tucker plants for the home garden
• Growing citrus in your backyard

Common questions

When is the fruit ready?

Mainly from autumn to winter. Ripe fruit feels full, has its dark colour and detaches easily. Fruit that has to be tugged is not ready.

Do I need two plants for fruit?

No. A single finger lime will set fruit by itself.

How thorny is it?

Quite thorny, with fine sharp spines along the branches. Wear gloves and long sleeves to prune and pick, and plant it back from paths and play areas.