Crystal Finger Lime

Crystal Finger Lime (Citrus australasica 'Crystal') is a green-skinned finger lime, also sold as Green Crystal, with clear pale green pearls and a clean, sharp lime flavour. It is a thorny evergreen shrub that grows 2 to 3m high and about 2m wide, and our plants are grafted. The fruit is the classic choice for spooning over seafood, into drinks and across desserts.

Why you'll love it

• Clear green pearls. The juice vesicles are a translucent pale green and hold their shape as separate beads.
• Clean, sharp flavour. Crystal tastes of fresh lime, bright and tart, which makes it one of the more versatile finger limes in the kitchen.
• Green skin. The slender fruit stays green when ripe, so judge readiness by feel and by how easily it comes away.
• Grafted plants. Grafted finger limes crop sooner than seedlings and grow more evenly.
• Native citrus. Finger limes are native to the rainforest margins of eastern Australia.

Where it works best

Productive hedge. Sold in packs of 6, it can be planted as a thorny, fruiting hedge along a boundary, well back from paths.

Pots on a sunny patio. Grown one per large pot in citrus potting mix, it stays compact and is easy to protect from frost.

Edible garden. It fits among other citrus and fruit trees, and enjoys the light shelter they give.

Growing Crystal Finger Lime in Australia

Position and climate. Sun to part shade suits it. Protect young plants from hot wind and frost. Once established it tolerates light frost, and it grows best in subtropical and warm temperate gardens.

Soil. Drainage comes first. Dig in compost, mound the planting spot in heavy soil and keep mulch back from the trunk.

Water and feed. Keep the soil evenly moist through flowering and fruit development. Use a citrus food little and often in the growing season, since finger limes need less feeding than other citrus.

Pruning and picking. Shape lightly after harvest with gloves on, and rub off shoots that appear below the graft. Finger limes do not ripen after picking, so take fruit only when it releases with a gentle pull.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Crystal Finger Lime in 200mm pots in packs of 6, a practical quantity for a hedge or a row of pots. Unpack with gloves on, water well and plant soon after arrival. Finger limes are slow growers, so give the plants time to establish before judging the crop. Our growers do not carry every size right through the year, so a size may show as on backorder now and then. If you order a backorder size we confirm it 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

How do I know green fruit is ripe?

Ripe fruit feels plump and comes away from the branch with a light pull. If it resists, leave it a little longer.

Is Crystal the same as Green Crystal?

Yes, the two names are used for the same green-skinned variety with clear pale green pearls.

How far apart should I plant a hedge?

About 1.2 to 1.5m apart. Remember the branches are thorny, so allow room to walk past and wear gloves when trimming.