When to Plant Finger Lime in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide
What this month normally looks like in Cool Temperate
In October the Cool Temperate zone normally runs 19°C by day and 8°C overnight, with about 67 mm of rain over 9 or 10 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -3.0°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 28 postcodes, SILO.
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This Finger Lime guide is written for the Cool Temperate zone, which takes in Melbourne, Hobart and Geelong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Sep to Nov
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.0
Finger lime is a thorny Australian native citrus. The finger shaped fruit is full of tiny pearls that burst in the mouth. It grows in a large pot or the ground, tolerates light frost, and copes with some shade.
Published · By GardenBuddy.au
Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Best Planting Window for Cool Temperate
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep P
- Oct P
- Nov P
- Dec -
P = Planting window
A Victorian buyer fruited one in a large pot in full sun by its second year. Tolerates light frosts but protect young plants, and needs protection from severe frost and strong wind (Garden Express, Diggers by search). Fruit months are our estimate.
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How to Grow Finger Lime in Cool Temperate Australia
- Soil
- Well drained soil rich in organic matter (Garden Express). Citrus potting mix in pots.
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 6.0-7.0
- Sunlight
- Full sun gives more fruit. Partial afternoon shade is tolerated (Garden Express). Hot dry areas need afternoon shade.
- Good companions
- Nasturtium, Basil, Thyme, Calendula, Oregano
- Keep away from
- Waterlogged ground, Exposed windy spots
Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Finger Lime
Recommended Varieties
- Crystal Green
- Pink Ice
- Red Champagne
Key Challenges
- Frost on young plants
- Slower growth
Pro Tips
- Large pot in full sun
- Cover in frost
Pests and problems for Finger Lime in Cool Temperate
Harvesting Finger Lime
When ready: Harvest when fully ripe, since fruit does not ripen after picking. Ripe fruit feels firm and detaches easily. Check under the tree for fallen fruit (Garden Express).
How to harvest: Pick by hand and watch the thorns.
What members get
- Soil and weather from your nearest station
- An email when it's time to sow
- Your own garden plan, including planning from a photo
- Price history and price alerts
- Pest risk alerts for your area
- Full salt and canning detail
Common Questions About Finger Lime
When do you plant finger lime in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Mar to May
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Mar to Apr, Sep to Nov
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Mar to Apr, Sep to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Sep to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Oct to Nov
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Sep to Oct
- Mediterranean (Perth): Sep to Nov
When should I plant Finger Lime in Melbourne?
A Victorian buyer fruited one in a large pot in full sun by its second year. Tolerates light frosts but protect young plants, and needs protection from severe frost and strong wind (Garden Express, Diggers by search). Fruit months are our estimate.
How do I know when Finger Lime are ready to harvest?
Harvest when fully ripe, since fruit does not ripen after picking. Ripe fruit feels firm and detaches easily. Check under the tree for fallen fruit (Garden Express).
What are the best Finger Lime varieties for Melbourne?
Recommended varieties for the Cool Temperate zone include: Crystal Green, Pink Ice, Red Champagne.
What grows well with Finger Lime?
Good companion plants for Finger Lime include: Nasturtium, Basil, Thyme, Calendula, Oregano.
Are finger lime salt tolerant?
No. Finger lime are salt-sensitive, one of the more sensitive veggies. Use rainwater if your bore water is salty, or grow them in a raised bed of fresh mix if your soil is.
Which zone am I in?
Type your postcode into the box near the top of the page and it tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.