When to Plant Finger Lime in Cairns, Tropical Guide
What this month normally looks like in Tropical
In October the Tropical zone normally runs 34°C by day and 23°C overnight, with about 53 mm of rain over 5 or 6 wet days. Averages 1991 to 2026, 37 postcodes, SILO.
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This Finger Lime guide is written for the Tropical zone, which takes in Cairns, Townsville and Darwin. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.
Not your zone? Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Alice Springs Perth
Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.
- Planting window
- Mar to May
- 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 Tropical
- Jan -
- Feb -
- Mar P
- Apr P
- May P
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep -
- Oct -
- Nov -
- Dec -
P = Planting window
A rainforest native of southeast Qld and northeast NSW (Sow Exotic, a nursery). Garden Express says temperate to subtropical, and Daleys says subtropical and warm temperate. No tropical source was found, so wet season humidity and fruit rots are the risk. Plant in the drier months. Fruit months are our estimate.
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How to Grow Finger Lime in Tropical 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
Tropical Growing Tips for Finger Lime
Recommended Varieties
- Crystal Green
- Pink Ice
- Red Champagne
Key Challenges
- Humid wet season rots
- No tropical source
Pro Tips
- Plant in the drier months
- Mound the soil
Pests and problems for Finger Lime in Tropical
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 Cairns?
A rainforest native of southeast Qld and northeast NSW (Sow Exotic, a nursery). Garden Express says temperate to subtropical, and Daleys says subtropical and warm temperate. No tropical source was found, so wet season humidity and fruit rots are the risk. Plant in the drier months. 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 Cairns?
Recommended varieties for the Tropical 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 Tropical zone, Cairns is its reference city.