Kaffir Lime Tree | Citrus hystrix
Zest to impress
Grown by Mike's trusted specialists
Europe
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Kaffir Lime Tree
Citrus hystrix
- Highly knobbly and wrinkled, the fruits of the kaffir lime certainly stand out from other citrus fruits - we think they look like little green brains or the inside of a walnut, but what do you think?
- Funky appearance aside, however, there's a reason that this plant is so prized in Southeast Asian culinary circles; its evergreen, hourglass-shaped leaves are seriously aromatic and feature a citrusy taste without the intensely sharp tang of other citrus fruits. Though less commonly utilised than the leaves, the zest can also be used to add a welcome lemony injection to your weekday dinners
- Use the leaves to transform your Thai green curries, conjure up fabulous fishcakes and prepare the freshest salad you've ever tasted - seriously!
- The tree produces wonderfully fragrant white flowers throughout the year, which are then followed by the distinctive fruits
- Here in the cooler climate of the UK, your best bet is growing your kaffir lime tree in a large container on your patio or in a greenhouse. This way, you can bring it indoors or move it to a more sheltered location in the winter
- Also known as makrut lime
- Our trees are professionally pruned before dispatching. This formative pruning can involve cutting the main leader, if the expert tree growers decide this will produce a better shaped tree. This can stop the tree becoming "leggy", and promote stronger, bushier growth
What to expect
Supplied as
Height on arrival
Eventual height
Eventual spread
Tasting notes
Time to first crop
Flower colour
Habit
Hardiness
Self fertile
Uses
Spacing
Will this grow in my garden?
Can I grow this in a pot?
Yes, the Kaffir Lime Tree thrives in a pot, which is highly recommended in the UK. Keeping it in a container allows you to easily move the plant indoors or into a greenhouse or conservatory when temperatures drop below 5°C during the colder months. Plant it in a specialist citrus compost and ensure the pot provides excellent drainage to prevent waterlogging.
How big does it get?
It typically grows to a height of 1 to 1.5 metres, making it ideal for patio containers and conservatories.
How much sunlight does this need?
It thrives in full sun and needs at least 6 to 8 hours of bright light daily, meaning you should move it outdoors in summer and keep it in a bright, cool room (above 5°C) in winter.
What kind of soil does this plant prefer?
This citrus tree requires well-drained, slightly acidic soil, so you should use a specialist citrus compost or a mix of loam-based compost and bark.
How much watering does this plant need?
Water freely in summer but allow the top 2cm of soil to dry out between waterings. Use rainwater if possible. Reduce watering in winter.
Will this plant need pruning?
Minimal pruning required. Thin out crowded branches in spring to allow light into the centre and maintain a tidy shape.
How hardy is this plant?
The Kaffir lime is a tender citrus (H1C) that cannot tolerate frost and will suffer damage at temperatures below 5°C. In the UK, it must be grown in a container and moved indoors to a bright, frost-free location during the autumn and winter months.
The wider garden
Europe
Meet Mike's trusted specialists
Start with a touch of continental sun
Over 99% of our plants are grown in the UK, but where that’s not possible, Mike sources the best specialist growers in Europe for the job. Think citrus warmed by Sicilian sun, topiary trained by Dutch masters, almonds nourished in the Dordogne and bamboo bathed in Tuscan heat. Our handpicked growers nurture these plants to maturity before handing over to our team in the Cotswolds, to toughen them up for UK gardens.
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