How to Plant Kaffir Limes Home Guides

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Kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix), also known as Thai lime or Indonesian lime, does double duty in the home garden: in addition to producing an edible fruit, you can also use the leaves of this tree in cooking. Most often utilized in Asian dishes, Kaffir lime does not do well in cold climates, so only plant this citrus tree in areas within U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10a through 11. In addition to ensuring the right climate, knowing how to properly plant Kaffir lime trees ensures healthy growth.

1 Choose a site for planting Kaffir limes that receives full sun, as this citrus tree will not grow to its full potential in shade or partial sun. Kaffir lime trees have the capacity to top out at 8 to 10 feet tall, so be sure the site you plant them in can accomodate a tree of this size. Do not plant Kaffir limes too close to your home, garage or shed to avoid root damage to your foundation or structure.

2 Dig a hole using a shovel roughly twice the width of your Kaffir lime's root ball but no deeper than the measurement from top to bottom of its roots. As a rule, citrus trees require well-drained soil that is at least 3 feet deep, so if you have topsoil on top of hardpan or clay soil, you may need to break through it with a pickaxe or jackhammer to allow for maximum drainage. Alternatively, you can plant Kaffir lime trees in a raised bed if your soil is not ideal.

3 Place well-rotted compost or other organic material into the hole for your Kaffir lime tree. Add soil amendments or fertilizer as needed. If you plan to plant the tree in clay soil, score the sides of the hole with your shovel -- this assists the roots in expanding.

4 Position the root ball in the hole you have dug, ensuring that at least 2 to 4 inches of the trunk above the root ball protrude above the soil line. Using your shovel, fill the hole halfway with the soil you previously excavated. Smooth the soil down to eliminate any air pockets and finish filling the hole with soil. Mound soil slightly around the trunk -- it should slope downward to keep water from pooling in this area.

5 Water your newly-planted Kaffir lime tree. If you have well-drained soil, create a basin around the perimeter of your tree into which water will run. If you have clay soil or other types that does not drain well, you may dispense with the basin formation; you should also take care not to overwater your trees to avoid root damage.

Things Needed Shovel

Compost