Kaffir Lime Tree

Grow your own Thai spice and save money. Grown for year-round culinary interest, Kaffir Lime (Citrus hystrix 'Kaffir'), is a dwarf fruit tree that is highly prized for its leaf which is used in different types of Southeast Asian cuisines, primarily recipes from Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Laos.

Much like Bay Leaves or Lemongrass, the Kaffir leaf and the fresh lime zest of the fruit add an enormous amount of flavor. You'll love creating your own Thai curries and stir-fries with the freshest possible ingredients.

Defined by the doubled-lobed leaf that appears to be 2 different segments, the essential oil from the Kaffir Lime's leaves is in high demand throughout the world.

The fruit is used mostly for the rind. Scrape the outside to harvest zest and add to prepared foods and drinks. The powerful juice is used for specialty household uses and is very effective when prepared correctly.

How to Use Kaffir Lime in the Landscape

Because the Kaffir Limes pungent leaves are the primary interest, this is one the few plants that has a year-round culinary purpose. If you're a cook and love great Thai food, having a year-round source of one of the pricier main ingredients is a must.

Originating from Sri Lanka, a small island nation off the east coast of South Africa, the demand for the Kaffir Lime spread east into Southeast Asia and the Indonesian Islands. Today, the Kaffir Lime is known by over 20 different names worldwide.

The small tree makes a beautiful accent tree in the landscape. It can be utilized as a screen or hedge plant.

The tree's famous foliage remains a rich dark green year-round. Kaffir Lime is a lovely little tree, with double-lobed, dark green leaves that catch the sun with their glossy sheen.

Funky fruit adds a ton of texture to the overall appearance. Use a zester and scrape lightly along a washed piece of fruit. You'll love the extra "oomph" it adds to your meals. The small, green limes produced by your Kaffir have a bumpy exterior, which is an attractive addition to an already exotic appearance.

Kaffir is well adapted to container growing and will do well as an indoor-outdoor plant. As a patio plant or indoor houseplant, your Kaffir Lime is sure to bring a taste of the tropics to your home.

Because it thrives in potted environments, you can use it to decorate your front porch or patio. Its delightful citrus scent will brighten your home and landscape.

Imagine growing your very own delicious ingredients for some of the world's most popular dishes - right at your fingertips! It doesn't get much better than that.

#ProPlantTips for Care

Give the Kaffir Lime well-drained soil, and keep it on the dry side while indoors. Don't overwater this tree.

The growth rate is moderate, so maintaining its size is very easy. It takes pruning very well and can be maintained to any size and almost any shape with pruning.

When bringing the Kaffir indoors for the winter, make sure and provide it with as much direct sunlight as possible, at least 6 hours a day and up to 10. Select a south-to-southwest-facing window, if possible.

This is one of the few Citrus that is a bit more tolerant of less light. Because the fruit is not as critical, the plant will adapt to lower light situations, but it will perform best with morning sun and afternoon shade.

Protecting Container Citrus From Cold

Although it's famous for growing in warmer regions, it can also thrive in colder areas as long as the tree is brought indoors prior to the first frost of winter.

If you're growing these tropical trees in the ground in the lowest of their favored growing zones, they need to be planted in a sheltered spot to avoid the worst of the chill. If a spot like that is unavailable, then you are better off planting in a large, deep container.

In borderline growing zones, begin slowly acclimating your tree indoors or into a protected location, eventually moving your tree inside in bright indirect sun for the winter if the temperatures in your area ever dip below that 40°F range. In spring, reverse this process and begin acclimating your tree to again be back out in the full sun all summer. This reduces stress and leaf drop.

Kaffir Lime can also be grown outdoors year-round in zones 9-11. If in-ground, feed quarterly with Dr. Earth Life Organic and Natural All-Purpose Fertilizer.

For container feeding, use fertilizer applied quarterly. Citrus in containers prefers a pH below 6.5 and benefits from an acid-based fertilizer.

Kaffir Lime trees are a popular item. Order now before they sell out and enjoy the benefits of growing your own fresh Asian seasonings.