Finger Lime

🌿 Finger Lime (Citrus australasica)
🌍 Common Names:
Finger Lime

Caviar Lime

Australian Finger Lime

Microcitrus

🌱 Plant Description:
Type: Evergreen shrub or small tree

Height: 2 to 6 meters (6–20 feet)

Leaves: Small, glossy, and dark green with a citrusy aroma

Thorns: Short, sharp thorns along the branches

Flowers: Small, white or pale pink, fragrant

Fruit: Long, finger-shaped citrus (4–12 cm), with a tough rind and juicy, caviar-like pearls inside

🍋 Fruit Characteristics:
Shape: Cylindrical, finger-like

Skin Color: Green, yellow, pink, red, purple, or black depending on the variety

Pulp: Round, juice-filled vesicles (like caviar) – pop in the mouth

Taste: Tangy, slightly spicy, and citrusy – similar to lemon/lime with a twist

Uses:

Garnish for seafood, cocktails, salads, desserts

Gourmet food industry

Preserves and pickles

🌤️ Growing Requirements:
Factor Requirement
Climate Subtropical to tropical; can tolerate light frost
Sunlight Full sun to partial shade
Soil Well-drained, sandy loam or loamy soil
Watering Moderate; do not overwater
pH Level Slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5–7.0)
Spacing 2–3 meters between plants

🛠️ Care & Maintenance:
Pruning: Light pruning to shape and remove dead/diseased wood

Mulching: Helps retain moisture and suppress weeds

Pests: Susceptible to aphids, citrus leafminer, scale insects

Fertilizer: Use citrus fertilizer during growing season (spring to autumn)

Pollination: Mostly self-pollinating, but bees help improve yield

🪴 Container Growing:
Finger lime can be grown in large pots (min. 40 cm wide), ideal for patios or balconies:

Ensure good drainage

Water regularly

Repot every 2–3 years