When to Plant Finger Lime in Brisbane, Subtropical Guide
What this month normally looks like in Subtropical
In October the Subtropical zone normally runs 27°C by day and 15°C overnight, with about 77 mm of rain over 7 wet days. The coldest October night on record across the zone was -0.2°C, so a late frost is not out of the question. Averages 1991 to 2026, 33 postcodes, SILO.
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This Finger Lime guide is written for the Subtropical zone, which takes in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Cairns Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Mar to Apr, 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 Subtropical
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar P
- Apr P
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep P
- Oct P
- Nov P
- Dec -
P = Planting window
Native to this zone's rainforest edge. Daleys lists fruit from March to September, and Epic Gardening says March to May. Plant in spring or autumn. Full sun gives more fruit, with afternoon shade in hot spells (Garden Express).
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How to Grow Finger Lime in Subtropical 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
Subtropical Growing Tips for Finger Lime
Recommended Varieties
- Crystal Green
- Pink Ice
- Red Champagne
Key Challenges
- Citrus gall wasp
- Leaf miner
Pro Tips
- Prune galls
- Afternoon shade in hot spells
Pests and problems for Finger Lime in Subtropical
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 Brisbane?
Native to this zone's rainforest edge. Daleys lists fruit from March to September, and Epic Gardening says March to May. Plant in spring or autumn. Full sun gives more fruit, with afternoon shade in hot spells (Garden Express).
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 Brisbane?
Recommended varieties for the Subtropical 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 Subtropical zone, Brisbane is its reference city.