Finger lime.

Auf einen Blick

Pflegestufe

Mittel

Pflanzenart

Evergreen shrub

Licht

Full sun to partial shade

Licht im Innenraum

Hell, indirekt

Gießen

Alle 3 bis 7 Tage

Endgröße

2 to 6 meters

Wachstum

Langsam

Winterhärte

USDA 9 bis 11

Blütezeit

Late winter to early spring

Pflege

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root issues. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal overwatering or nutrient deficiencies. Provide protection from harsh winds and extreme temperature swings to keep the plant happy.

Gießen

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Düngen

Apply a balanced citrus fertilizer during the active growing season.

Schneiden

Prune lightly after harvest to maintain shape and encourage airflow.

Umtopfen

Repot when the roots begin to circle the bottom of the container.

Boden

Well draining loamy soil

Boden-pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperatur

5 bis 35°C

Luftfeuchtigkeit

60 bis 80%

Trockenheitstoleranz

Mittel

Lebensdauer

Perennial, typically 20 to 30 years

Duft

Leicht

Wildverbiss-Resistenz

Mittel

Sicherheit

Menschen

This plant is non-toxic to humans.

Kinder

Keep children away from the sharp, needle-like thorns on the branches.

Kontaktallergene

The sharp thorns can cause mechanical skin irritation or scratches.

Allergene in der Luft

The pollen may cause mild respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals.

Essbarkeit

The fruit is edible, but the sharp thorns on the branches can cause injury during harvest.

So erkennst du die Pflanze

• Slender cylindrical fruit shape
• Tiny pearl like juice vesicles
• Small glossy aromatic leaves
• Sharp thorns on branches
• Dense shrubby growth habit

Höhe

2 bis 6m

Breite

1,5 bis 3m

Blätter

dark green, evergreen

Blüten

white, pale pink, 1 bis 2cm

Früchte

green, red, purple, black, yellow, Autumn to winter

Häufige Probleme

• Citrus gall wasp — Small wasps lay eggs in stems causing woody swellings.
• Scale insects — Small sap-sucking insects that appear as bumps on stems or leaves.

Standort und Pflege

Vermehrung

cuttings, grafting

Pflanzzeit

spring

Überwinterung

Move containers indoors or into a greenhouse before the first frost. Keep the plant in a bright, cool spot and reduce watering significantly during the winter months.

Im Kübel

It is excellent for containers, needing at least a 40 liter pot with high-quality potting mix.

Plant low-growing herbs around the base to help retain soil moisture without competing for nutrients.

Gute Pflanzpartner

• Echter Lavendel — It attracts pollinators that help with fruit set.
• Rosemary — It shares similar sun and drainage requirements.

Ähnliche Arten

• Zitrone — It is a related citrus species with similar care needs.
• Citrus japonica — It is another small-fruited citrus suitable for containers.

Botanisches

Familie

Rutaceae

Gattung

Microcitrus

Ordnung

Sapindales

Klasse

Magnoliopsida

Ursprüngliche Heimat

Coastal rainforests of Queensland and New South Wales, Australia.

Artenschutz

It is protected in parts of its native range due to habitat loss.

It grows as an understory shrub in subtropical rainforests where it relies on filtered light and consistent moisture.

Nutzen für Wildtiere

nectar source

Bestäuber

Bienen, Schmetterlinge

Verwendung

culinary garnish, ornamental shrub, container plant

Taxonomie abgeglichen mit GBIF.

Häufige Fragen

Does it need full sun?

Yes, it thrives in full sun but appreciates some light afternoon shade in very hot climates.

Can I grow it in a pot?

It grows very well in containers, provided the pot is large enough and has excellent drainage.

Woher der Name kommt

The genus name Microcitrus refers to its small fruit, while australasica indicates its Australian origin.

Gut zu wissen

• Finger limes are native to the rainforests of Australia.
• The fruit comes in many colors including pink, green, and deep purple.
• It is a popular ingredient in high-end culinary dishes.