Botanical Name: Common Names:
Citrus hystrix Kaffir Lime,
Native: Foliage Type:
No Evergreen
Plant Type: Plant Habit:
Citrus & Fruit, Shrubs Rounded, Upright
Description:
Kaffir Limes are grown mainly for its aromatic double-lobed leaves used predominantly in Thai, and other Asian cooking. The small fruit is knobbly, has little juice and not edible – but its oil has strong insecticidal properties. To increase foliage growth, remove fruit from tree. Great in pots / containers. Also available as a espalier.
Mature Height: Mature Width:
2-4m 1-2m
Position: Soil Type:
Full Sun Well Drained
Landscape Use(s)
Balcony / Roof, Courtyard, Edible Garden, Foliage Feature / Colour, Park And Gardens, Topiary / Espalier, Tropical Garden, Container / Pot
Pests & Diseases: Ants, Fruit Fly, Generally trouble free, Mites, Scale, Sooty Mould, Thrips, Yellow Leaves
Cultural Notes: Protect your citrus from frost and hot dry winds, especially while young. Citrus are not deep rooted and therefore do require regular deep watering in the warmer months and whilst fruiting. It is always advisable to water citrus well when they are setting fruit and throughout the fruit growing and ripening stages. If plants dry out it often results in fruit drop and the citrus is less juicy and thick skinned. Citrus love food, a variety of different fertilisers can be used including organic manures (cow, horse or chicken) or the popular inorganic fertilisers. Citrus should be fed 3-4 times per year and if growing in pots/containers it is often recommended to feed your citrus every 6-8 weeks.
Plant Care
Annual slow release fertiliser, Keep moist during dry periods, Liquid feed
Family Name: Origin:
Rutaceae Asia
Characteristics
Foliage Colour: Green
Flower Colour: White, Yellow
Flower Fragrant: No
Flowering Season: Spring
Fruit: Yes
Requirements Tolerances
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance Level: Medium
Water Usage: Medium / Moderate
Drought: Low, Medium / Moderate
Frost: Moderate, Tender
Wind: Low, Medium / Moderate