When to Plant Makrut 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 Makrut 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
- Oct to Dec
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 6.6–7.3
Makrut lime, also sold as kaffir lime, is an evergreen citrus grown mainly for its double leaves, which flavour Thai and other Asian cooking. The warty fruit is used for its rind.
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 -
- Apr -
- May -
- Jun -
- Jul -
- Aug -
- Sep -
- Oct P
- Nov P
- Dec P
P = Planting window
Fits tropical to subtropical climates (Fruit Salad Trees, Daleys). Plant on a slight mound as the wet season opens, because it will not tolerate waterlogging. Leaves are picked all year.
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How to Grow Makrut Lime in Tropical Australia
- Soil
- Good drainage. Neutral soil, pH 6.6 to 7.3 (Daleys). Use good quality potting mix in a pot (Diggers, Garden Express).
- Salt
- Sensitive. Struggles with salty bore water or salty soil. Give it rainwater if you can.
- pH Range
- 6.6-7.3
- Sunlight
- Full sun, 8 hours or more (Fruit Salad Trees). An open position with full sun (Diggers).
- Keep away from
- Cold, wet, frost exposed positions
Tropical Growing Tips for Makrut Lime
Recommended Varieties
- Makrut Lime (grafted, dwarf rootstock for pots)
Key Challenges
- Waterlogging in the wet season
- Citrus leafminer
Pro Tips
- Plant on a mound
- Prune lightly after flushes
Pests and problems for Makrut Lime in Tropical
Harvesting Makrut Lime
When ready: Pick the double leaves as needed from an established tree. Daleys gives April to July for fruit, 2 to 3 years after planting.
How to harvest: Pick leaves by hand or with secateurs, a few at a time. The rind of the fruit can be grated with a fine grater (Diggers).
Storing and preserving makrut lime
How to keep it
- Freeze leaves. Freeze whole leaves in a bag and use them straight from the freezer. No Australian source read on this, so treat it as general practice.
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 Makrut Lime
When do you plant makrut lime in Australia?
It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:
- Tropical (Cairns): Oct to Dec
- Subtropical (Brisbane): Sep to Nov
- Warm Temperate (Sydney): Sep to Nov
- Cool Temperate (Melbourne): Oct to Nov
- Cold / Highland (Canberra): Nov
- Arid / Semi-Arid (Alice Springs): Sep to Oct
- Mediterranean (Perth): Sep to Nov
When should I plant Makrut Lime in Cairns?
Fits tropical to subtropical climates (Fruit Salad Trees, Daleys). Plant on a slight mound as the wet season opens, because it will not tolerate waterlogging. Leaves are picked all year.
How do I know when Makrut Lime are ready to harvest?
Pick the double leaves as needed from an established tree. Daleys gives April to July for fruit, 2 to 3 years after planting.
What are the best Makrut Lime varieties for Cairns?
Recommended varieties for the Tropical zone include: Makrut Lime (grafted, dwarf rootstock for pots).
Are makrut lime salt tolerant?
No. Makrut 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.