Do you know that in Australia we have citrus for our own, so we are introducing finger lime and desert lime!!!

Hi, Bella’s here! As a passionate native plant enthusiast, especially when it comes to bushtucker, I’m excited to share something special with you. I would love to introduce you to the marvelous Australian citrus tree, the finger lime, which we can easily grow and use as a powerful alternative to the common lime in our cooking. Here’s a little secret—I actually have around 12 different finger lime varieties growing across my properties. Shhhhhh, don’t tell my husband! I am absolutely in love with them because there are so many unique varieties, including the delicate champagne-colored ones, vibrant emeralds, striking golds, and many more. I simply cannot get enough and always dream of having every single variety in my collection.

Finger lime is a unique Australian native citrus that naturally thrives in sub-tropical regions as an understory plant beneath taller trees. It is generally classified as a large shrub or a small tree, meaning that with regular trimming and pruning, you can maintain a neat and compact form that suits your garden space. Finger lime has a fondness for sunlight, but as an understory species, it thrives best with gentle morning sun while needing protection from the harsh, hot afternoon rays to avoid stress. The plant features small, delicate leaves and sharp spiky thorns that can deliver a surprising sting if touched carelessly. Caring for finger lime plants is similar to other citrus varieties: they prefer well-drained soil and consistent watering to keep the soil moist without overwatering, as excessive water can lead to root rot, which harms the plant’s health and longevity.

Finger lime flowers bloom when the warm weather arrives, typically from early spring through early autumn. Following the delicate flowering stage, the plant begins to produce its distinctive finger-like fruits, which is how they earn their unique name. Now, this is truly the best part of having finger limes in your pantry. When you slice them open, the fruit reveals a beautiful, vibrant, and colourful caviar-like pulp that is bursting with an intense, tangy flavor. They have become highly sought-after in fine dining restaurants, admired for their striking resemblance to caviar. Many gourmet chefs use finger lime to garnish a variety of dishes, adding not only their powerful citrus punch but also a touch of luxurious elegance with the pulp’s shimmering hues. As mentioned, the pulp comes in many different colours, making it an extraordinary and natural garnish that elevates any menu item.

Finger lime, like other citrus fruits, is rich in vitamin C and natural flavonoids, which provide powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. This unique fruit is also packed with immune-boosting agents and potassium, helping to lower blood pressure and support healthy nerve function. Its flavor is a delightful balance between lime and lemon, offering a distinct, refreshing tanginess that sets it apart from other citrus varieties.

If you would like to grow finger lime, they are now available in many garden centres, making it easier to find a young plant to start your own little citrus patch. However, if you want to explore a wider range of varieties and truly appreciate the diversity of this unique fruit, we highly recommend visiting a native nursery. These places often offer many more options for you to choose from, allowing you to find the perfect finger lime for your garden. It’s best to opt for grafted varieties because they are more tolerant of various soil conditions and typically begin producing fruit within the first year after planting. On the other hand, regular finger lime bushes can take up to 15 years before they start fruiting, so it’s important to keep this in mind when deciding which type to grow.

Another wonderful native citrus variety that I highly recommend for you to explore and enjoy is the desert lime.

It certainly holds its name well. Desert lime thrives in the harsh, arid regions of Southern Queensland, Western New South Wales, and South Australia. This resilient plant is classified as a large shrub or sometimes a small tree, adapted perfectly to its environment. It is incredibly hardy, able to tolerate frost temperatures as low as 4 degrees Celsius and extreme heat soaring up to 45 degrees Celsius. The desert lime features greyish, upright green leaves, which are thorny during their younger stages. In spring, the plant blooms with delicate white flowers that resemble those of other citrus plants. These blooms give way to small, lemon-like fruits, but their taste is much closer to lime, bursting with a vibrant, super zesty flavor. Traditionally, Indigenous people have consumed this fruit directly, relying on its natural properties to boost their immunity and help rehydrate their bodies in the demanding, dry climate.

Desert lime is of course naturally high in vitamin C, boasting levels that are three times greater than those found in a typical orange. It also contains a generous amount of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant known for its skin-loving properties. In addition to these, desert lime is rich in folate and other essential nutrients that nourish and benefit the skin. This unique plant is not yet commonly cultivated, so you may need to seek out a desert lime nursery online if you want to grow your own. However, for those living in Western Australia and Tasmania, unfortunately, these two states have strict biosecurity regulations that do not permit the import of desert lime plants. The fruit itself is wonderfully thin-skinned, allowing you to eat them whole, but if you find the pure tanginess too sharp, we recommend cooking them in various dishes to soften their intense flavor.

If you grow dessert lime at home, you can easily propagate them from their suckers, so when you get one, you can soon have many more. However, it’s important to remember that a young dessert lime tree grown from seed may take up to 10 years before it starts bearing fruit. On the other hand, if you purchase a dessert lime from a nursery, it will usually be a grafted variety, which means it will begin to fruit within just a few years. I’ve been nurturing mine for about 3 years now, and they have already started to produce fruit—yayyy!!!! It’s such a rewarding experience to watch these humble trees grow and share their abundance.

These two unique Australian citruses have become increasingly popular and super common in many gardens and kitchens. If you were to ask, “We already grow regular lemon and lime trees at home, so what makes these different?” The difference lies in their resilience and rich heritage. These native fruits are incredibly tough, having adapted and thrived in this ancient continent for countless years. They are packed with more nutrients and intense flavors than ordinary lemons and limes. Plus, there’s something truly special and a little fancy about telling your friends that tonight’s meal is seasoned with finger lime and desert lime—nature’s own gourmet touch from the bush.