Overview

Embark on a culinary adventure with your very own giant finger lime tree. This exceptional live plant, often referred to as ‘citrus caviar,’ is a prized possession among chefs and home gardeners alike, offering unique, pearl-like vesicles bursting with zesty flavor. Our grafted finger lime specimen stands between 1-2 feet tall and comes established in a 3-gallon nursery pot, ensuring a robust start. Grafting promotes faster fruit production and improved disease resistance, making this an excellent choice for anyone looking to grow this fascinating citrus. Originating from the rainforests of Australia, the finger lime (Microcitrus australasica) is a truly distinctive fruit tree that will become a conversation piece in any garden or patio setting. Its elongated fruit, resembling a finger, is filled with tiny, jewel-like pearls that add a spectacular pop of flavor and texture to seafood, salads, and cocktails.

Bringing a giant finger lime tree into your home or garden means embracing a plant that offers both ornamental beauty and gourmet produce. This particular variety is known for its vigorous growth and the impressive size of its fruit, maximizing your harvest potential. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or new to citrus cultivation, this 1-2 foot tall, 3-gallon potted plant provides a substantial foundation for a thriving, fruit-bearing specimen. Discover the joy of harvesting your own ‘citrus caviar’ and elevate your dishes with its unparalleled taste.

Key Benefits

Growing a giant finger lime tree offers a multitude of rewards, from its unique fruit to its ornamental appeal. This remarkable plant is more than just a source of exotic citrus; it’s an investment in flavor and garden beauty.

• Gourmet Fruit Production: Enjoy harvesting your own ‘citrus caviar,’ tiny pearls of finger lime juice that add a sophisticated, tangy burst to any dish. The grafted finger lime ensures quicker fruiting.
• Exotic Culinary Ingredient: Elevate your cooking with fresh finger lime pearls, perfect for garnishing seafood, salads, desserts, and cocktails, providing a unique texture and vibrant citrus flavor.
• Ornamental Appeal: With its attractive foliage and unique fruit, the giant finger lime tree makes a striking addition to patios, containers, or garden landscapes, offering visual interest year-round.
• Compact Growth Habit: Ideal for container growing, this citrus tree can be managed to fit various spaces, including smaller gardens or indoor environments with adequate light.
• Health Benefits: Like other citrus, finger limes are rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, contributing to a healthy diet with a unique and delicious twist.
• Drought Tolerance: Once established, finger lime trees exhibit reasonable drought tolerance, making them a relatively resilient option for various climates.
• Long Harvest Season: Enjoy a prolonged period of harvesting, allowing you to savor the unique flavor of your own grown finger limes for many months.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your giant finger lime tree is a rewarding experience that ensures a bountiful harvest of ‘citrus caviar.’ These plants thrive with proper attention to their specific needs. For optimal growth and fruit production, understanding the ideal conditions is crucial. Finger limes prefer a location that receives ample sunlight. Aim for at least 6-8 hours of direct sun per day. If growing indoors, place it near a south-facing window or supplement with a grow light. The more sun it receives, the more vigorous its growth and the more fruit it will produce. Ensuring good air circulation is also beneficial, especially in humid environments, to prevent fungal issues. This grafted finger lime is generally more robust, but consistent care is still key.

Watering should be consistent but allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which is detrimental to citrus trees. Good drainage is paramount; ensure your pot has drainage holes and use a well-draining citrus-specific potting mix. Fertilize your giant finger lime tree regularly during the growing season (spring through fall) with a balanced citrus fertilizer, following the product’s instructions. Reduce fertilization during winter dormancy. Protect your tree from frost; if temperatures drop below 30°F (-1°C), bring container-grown plants indoors or provide frost protection for in-ground trees. Pruning can be done to maintain shape, size, and encourage more fruit production. Remove any dead or crossing branches, and thin out dense growth to improve air circulation. Keep an eye out for common citrus pests like aphids, scale, and spider mites, and treat them promptly with organic pest control methods if necessary. Regular inspection will help you catch any issues early, ensuring your buy finger lime tree investment thrives.

Size & Details

This giant finger lime tree is a robust, grafted live plant, supplied in a 3-gallon nursery container. At the time of shipping, the plant typically stands between 1-2 feet tall, measured from the base of the pot to the tip of the highest branch. This size provides a significant head start, allowing for quicker establishment and potentially earlier fruit production compared to smaller specimens. The grafting technique ensures that you receive a plant with desirable characteristics, including enhanced vigor and resistance. Finger lime trees have a moderate growth rate and, with proper care, can reach a mature height of 6-10 feet when grown in the ground, or a more manageable 4-6 feet in a large container. Expect this plant to begin setting fruit within 1-2 years under ideal growing conditions, offering you delicious ‘citrus caviar’ with a relatively short wait. The fruit itself is typically 2-4 inches long, filled with vibrant, individual juice vesicles. This particular variety is chosen for its ‘giant’ fruit, ensuring a generous harvest.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this giant finger lime tree get? A: When grown in containers, the grafted finger lime typically reaches 4-6 feet tall, making it manageable for patios or indoor spaces. In the ground, it can grow up to 10 feet with ample space and care.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: This giant finger lime tree is shipped in a 3-gallon nursery pot, providing a well-established root system for a strong start in your garden or larger container.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Finger lime trees can be grown both indoors and outdoors. In warmer climates (USDA Zones 9-11), they thrive outdoors year-round. In colder regions, they are best grown in containers and brought indoors during winter or protected from frost.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: For optimal growth and fruit production, your finger lime plant care routine should include at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. If growing indoors, place it in the brightest available window or use a supplemental grow light.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Finger limes are relatively easy to care for, especially for those familiar with citrus plants. They require consistent watering, good drainage, and regular fertilization during the growing season. Protecting them from frost is the main consideration in cooler climates.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your buy finger lime tree will arrive as a healthy, live plant, carefully packaged to ensure its safe transit. It will be established in its 3-gallon nursery pot, ready for you to acclimate and plant.
• Q: Can I use finger lime in cooking? A: Absolutely! Finger limes, often called ‘citrus caviar plant’, are highly prized in gourmet cooking. The individual juice pearls are perfect for adding a burst of tangy flavor and unique texture to seafood, salads, cocktails, and desserts.
• Q: How long until it blooms and fruits? A: As a grafted plant, your giant finger lime tree is designed for quicker fruiting. You can typically expect blooms and fruit production to begin within 1-2 years of planting, provided it receives proper care and ideal growing conditions.
• Q: What’s the best soil for a finger lime tree? A: Finger limes prefer a well-draining, slightly acidic soil mix. A high-quality citrus potting mix is ideal for container-grown plants. For in-ground planting, amend heavy soils with organic matter to improve drainage.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: Finger lime trees are cold-sensitive. They thrive outdoors year-round in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11. In zones below 9, they must be protected from frost, either by bringing them indoors or providing substantial winter protection.