Citrus hystrix Seeds | Kaffir Lime
LATIN NAME: Citrus hystrix
COMMON NAME: Kaffir Lime
Plant Profile
Kaffir Lime (Citrus hystrix) grows as an evergreen tree in the rue family. Kaffir lime is warted fruit of warm kitchen, and small, white flowers open among dark, double leaves. It is a tree of open, sunny, deep, moist, well-drained ground. Put simply, this is a rewarding species for anyone willing to give it a suitable spot.
Science & Biotechnology
Like other members of the rue family, Citrus hystrix draws steady attention from botanists and plant breeders, who value the genus both as a subject of research and as a source of garden-worthy material. Continuing work by breeders and collectors keeps good seed of this species moving through the trade.
Uses & Benefits
Kaffir Lime brings genuine presence to the garden and earns its keep across the growing season. Kaffir lime is a fine, historic tree of warm kitchen garden. It is a fine, historic tree of open, sunny, deep, moist, well-drained garden. Keep young tree in warm, sheltered corner for the first years, and the warted fruits will come in the long run. Given the right start, it carries on with minimal intervention.
Citrus gives far more than vitamin C: peel flavonoids such as hesperidin and naringin are studied for vascular health, the dried peels, Chen Pi and Qing Pi, are major Chinese digestive herbs, and citrus pectin is a standard soluble fiber ingredient.
Growing from Seed
Kaffir Lime is one of those generous plants that come along well from seed. Broadcast the seed thinly over a fine, free-draining compost, sieve a little more compost on top, and water with a fine rose. When the young plants are big enough to handle, space them into pots or a nursery row and let them size up before their final move.
Our Take
Its long record of traditional use, described above, gives the plant a story beyond ornament. Kaffir Lime settles in quickly once it finds its footing. Even moisture while the seed is chitting is the main thing; afterwards it largely looks after itself.
Related Reading
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