Green Finger Lime Live Plant – Grafted – 3 Gallon Pot – 2 ft Tall Tree

Overview

Discover the exotic delight of the green finger lime live plant, a truly unique citrus variety that is gaining popularity among culinary enthusiasts and home gardeners alike. This particular specimen is a robust, grafted tree, standing approximately 2 feet tall and rooted in a substantial 3 gallon pot, ensuring a healthy and established start in your garden. The finger lime, scientifically known as Citrus australasica, is native to Australia and is often referred to as ‘citrus caviar’ due to its small, translucent, bead-like vesicles that burst with an intense, tangy flavor. This particular green variety offers a vibrant zest perfect for various dishes, from seafood to desserts. Growing your own green finger lime live plant means having access to this gourmet ingredient fresh, anytime you desire.

Grafting ensures that this plant will produce fruit true to type and often at an earlier age than seed-grown plants, making it an excellent choice for those eager to enjoy their harvest sooner. The compact nature of the finger lime tree also makes it suitable for container gardening, allowing it to be grown on patios or even indoors in colder climates, providing flexibility for many growing environments.

Key Benefits

Adding a green finger lime live plant to your collection offers a multitude of benefits, combining ornamental beauty with exceptional culinary utility. This unique citrus tree is more than just a novelty; it’s a productive and rewarding plant to grow.

• Exotic Culinary Delight: The primary benefit is access to fresh finger limes, renowned for their ‘citrus caviar’ pearls. These pearls add a unique burst of flavor and texture to salads, seafood, cocktails, and desserts, elevating any dish with a gourmet touch.
• Ornamental Appeal: With its lush green foliage and unique fruit, the green finger lime live plant makes an attractive addition to patios, balconies, or garden landscapes. Its relatively compact size makes it versatile for various settings.
• Grafted for Faster Fruiting: Being a grafted plant, it is genetically superior and typically begins producing fruit much sooner than plants grown from seed, allowing you to enjoy your harvest without a long wait.
• High in Vitamin C: Like other citrus fruits, finger limes are a good source of Vitamin C and antioxidants, contributing to a healthy diet.
• Adaptable Growth: While preferring warmer climates, the finger lime tree care can be managed in cooler regions by growing it in a container and moving it indoors during colder months, making it accessible to a wider range of gardeners.
• Conversation Starter: Its unusual fruit and elegant appearance make it a fascinating plant that is sure to draw attention and spark conversation among guests.
• Freshness and Quality: Growing your own ensures you have the freshest possible fruit, free from pesticides and picked at peak ripeness, offering superior flavor compared to store-bought options.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Proper finger lime tree care is essential for a thriving plant that yields abundant fruit. This grafted finger lime tree care guide will help you cultivate a healthy and productive tree. Finger limes prefer a warm, sunny location, ideally receiving at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. If growing indoors, place it near a south-facing window or supplement with a grow light. Protect the plant from strong winds, which can damage its delicate branches and fruit.

Watering should be consistent, especially during the growing season. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot, as finger limes do not like soggy feet. Good drainage is crucial. Use a well-draining citrus potting mix or amend garden soil with organic matter and perlite to improve drainage. Fertilize with a balanced citrus fertilizer formulated for fruiting trees, typically every 4-6 weeks during the spring and summer, and reduce frequency in fall and winter. For best results, follow the product instructions for application rates. Pruning is generally minimal, focused on removing dead or diseased branches and shaping the tree to maintain an open structure for better air circulation and light penetration.

The grafted finger lime is generally hardy in USDA zones 9-11. If you live in a colder climate, it’s best to grow your plant in a pot that can be moved indoors when temperatures drop below freezing. Protect the plant from frost, as young trees are particularly susceptible. 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. With diligent care, your citrus caviar plant will flourish and provide you with delicious fruit for years to come.

Size & Details

This offering is for one robust green finger lime live plant, which has been expertly grafted to ensure superior growth and fruit production. The tree stands approximately 2 feet tall from the base of the pot to the top of the foliage, providing a significant head start for gardeners. It is established in a 3 gallon nursery pot, which provides ample space for its root system to develop before needing to be transplanted. The plant is shipped with its pot and soil intact, minimizing transplant shock and ensuring it arrives ready to thrive in its new environment. The growth rate is moderate, and with proper care, you can expect this tree to begin producing fruit within 1-2 years of planting. Most finger lime varieties typically reach a mature height of 6-10 feet when grown in the ground, but they can be maintained at a smaller size through regular pruning, especially when grown in containers. The unique, elongated fruits mature to a vibrant green color, ready for harvest.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this green finger lime live plant get? A: This grafted plant is currently 2 feet tall in a 3 gallon pot. In the ground, finger lime trees can reach 6-10 feet, but they can be kept smaller with pruning for container growing.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: While finger limes prefer warm, sunny outdoor conditions in USDA zones 9-11, they can be grown in containers and moved indoors during colder months. This makes them versatile for many climates.
• Q: How much sunlight does the green finger lime need? A: Your green finger lime live plant needs at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to thrive and produce fruit. If growing indoors, a bright, south-facing window or grow light is recommended.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: With consistent watering, proper drainage, and regular feeding, caring for a grafted finger lime is manageable. It’s considered moderately easy for those familiar with citrus care.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: The plant is shipped with its pot and soil, carefully packaged to ensure it arrives healthy and ready for its new home, minimizing stress during transit.
• Q: When is the best time to plant a finger lime tree? A: The best time to plant is in spring or early summer after the last chance of frost, allowing the plant to establish itself before extreme heat or cold.
• Q: Can I use finger lime in cooking? A: Absolutely! Finger limes are highly prized in gourmet cooking. Their ‘citrus caviar’ pearls are excellent in seafood dishes, salads, cocktails, and desserts, offering a unique burst of flavor. This is a key reason for learning how to grow finger lime.
• Q: What type of soil does a finger lime tree need? A: A well-draining, slightly acidic soil is ideal. A specialized citrus potting mix is recommended for container-grown plants, or enrich garden soil with organic matter for good drainage.
• Q: How long until it produces fruit? A: Since this is a grafted plant, it is likely to produce fruit sooner than seed-grown plants, typically within 1-2 years after planting, with proper care.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: The citrus caviar plant is hardy in USDA zones 9-11. If you live in a colder zone, you will need to move it indoors during winter to protect it from freezing temperatures.