Kaffir Lime Tree | Fragrant Thai Culinary Citrus

Kaffir Lime

5 Gallon

$109.00

1/5

Kaffir Lime

Citrus hystrix

Essential for Southeast Asian Cooking • Prized for Aromatic Leaves & Rind • Unique Bumpy Fruit

$109.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

The Kaffir Lime is a dual-purpose treasure of Southeast Asian cuisine, prized not for its fruit, but for its intensely aromatic, double-lobed leaves and uniquely bumpy rind. This evergreen shrub is an essential addition for any cook wanting to create authentic Thai, Indonesian, or Cambodian dishes at home.

Grown primarily for its glossy, double-lobed leaves, which are the definitive herb in many Southeast Asian curries, soups, and salads.
The fruit has a dark green, bumpy, and extremely aromatic rind rich in essential oils, used to flavor curry pastes and infusions.
The juice and pulp are scant, very acidic, and bitter, and are not typically used in cooking.
A self-pollinating, evergreen shrub or small tree with thorny branches and highly ornamental foliage.
Both the leaves and rind provide a powerful, floral-citrus aroma that cannot be replicated by other citrus.
Well-suited to container growing and can be kept at a manageable size for harvesting leaves.

Flavor Profile:

Flavor: The leaves and rind have a distinctive, intense citrus-aromatic flavor with floral and earthy notes, quite different from common lime juice.
Texture: Leaves are leathery; the rind is oily and bumpy.
Best Uses: The leaves are used whole or shredded in curries (like Tom Yum), soups, and stir-fries. The zest (rind) is used in curry pastes. Not a juicing lime.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Foliage: Uniquely shaped, dark green, glossy leaves composed of two lobes (the leaf blade and a large, winged petiole that looks like a second leaf). Both fresh and dried leaves are a fundamental aromatic herb in many Southeast Asian cuisines.Flowers: Small, fragrant, white flowers with a purplish-pink base; self-pollinating.Fruit: Small, round, dark green fruit with a distinctive bumpy, wrinkled rind and a characteristic nipple-like protrusion at the tip. The fruit is nearly seedless. The zest is intensely aromatic and used for flavoring, while the juicy, acidic pulp is used sparingly due to its sour and slightly bitter taste.Habit: A thorny, densely branched, evergreen shrub or small tree with a rounded form.
Mature Height: 15-20 ft.
Mature Width: 15-20 ft.
Growth Rate: Moderate
Light Needs: Full sun
Key Advantages:Leaves and fruit rind are essential culinary ingredients.Self-pollinating.Highly aromatic foliage and fruit.Well-suited for container growing.Relatively low maintenance
Landscape Uses:Container plant for patios in cooler climates.Culinary garden specimen in frost-free areas.Ornamental and aromatic hedge (using caution due to thorns)

Q: What part of the Kaffir lime do you use?A: Almost exclusively the leaves (fresh or dried) and the zest of the rind. The juice and pulp inside are very bitter and not used.
Q: Can I substitute regular lime leaves?A: There is no direct substitute. Regular lime leaves lack the intense, complex aroma. In a pinch, a combination of regular lime zest and a bay leaf might provide a hint of the flavor, but it is not equivalent.
Q: Is it a good container plant?A: Yes, it is an excellent container plant. This allows it to be moved to shelter in cold weather and makes it easy to harvest leaves from a manageable-sized plant.