Citrus hystrix

Plant Family

Rutaceae

Plant Botanical Name

Citrus hystrix

Photo by: JAMES H. SCHUTTE

Plant Common Name

Kaffir Lime, Makrut

General Description

Magrood lime is a tropical evergreen fruit tree with a bushy and spreading growth habit. This southeastern Asian native has very thorny branches and thick, two-part glossy green leaves. Fragrant white flowers are followed by tart, oblong, pointy-ended, bumpy citrus fruits that ripen to yellow.

These lime trees do best in full sun and fertile well-drained soil. They like hot summers and mild winters but tolerate light frost. They may be planted as specimen fruit trees, hedges or container plants in either tree or shrub form. Water them liberally during summer and sparingly in winter. Theya are valued for their nutritious, acidic fruits, whose juice is used beverages and sauces. The aromatic leaves are used in many Southeast Asian culinary dishes and for decorative embellishments. Oil from the rind is used in cosmetics.

Characteristics

• AHS Heat Zone

  12 - 8

• USDA Hardiness Zone

  9 - 11

• Sunset Zone

  H1, H2, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

• Plant Type

  Fruit

• Sun Exposure

  Full Sun, Partial Sun

• Height

  6'-25' / 1.8m - 7.6m (25)

• Width

  8'-12' / 2.4m - 3.7m (12)

• Bloom Time

  Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall

• Native To

  Southeastern Asia

Growing Conditions

• Soil pH

  Acidic, Neutral

• Soil Moisture

  Average

• Soil type

  Loam

• Growth Rate

  Fast

• Water Requirements

  Average Water

• Habit

  Oval/Rounded

• Seasonal Interest

  Spring, Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

• Flower Interest

  Insignificant

• Flower Color

  White

• Fruit Color

  Yellow, Green, Yellow Green

• Foliage Color (Spring)

  Green

• Foliage Color (Summer)

  Green

• Foliage Color (Fall)

  Green

• Foliage Color (Winter)

  Green

• Bark Color

  Gray Green, Gray

• Bark Color Modifier

  Striped/Striated

• Fragrant Flowers

  Yes

• Fragrant Fruit

  Yes

• Fragrant Foliage

  Yes

• Bark or Stem Fragrant

  Yes

• Flower Petal Number

  Single

• Repeat Bloomer

  Yes

• Showy Fruit

  Yes

• Edible Fruit

  Yes

• Showy Foliage

  No

• Foliage Texture

  Medium

• Foliage Sheen

  Glossy

• Evergreen

  Yes

• Showy Bark

  No

Special Characteristics

• Bark Texture

  Smooth

• Usage

  Container, Edible, Feature Plant, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Hedges, Mixed Border

• Sharp or Has Thorns

  Yes

• Invasive

  No

• Attracts

  Birds, Butterflies

• Self-Sowing

  Yes