Makrut Lime Tree

1-2 ft.

$99 $119 17% OFF

Makrut Lime Tree

Name: Makrut Lime Tree
Brand: The Sill
SKU: EDB-CIT-KAF-12-1G-CS
Price: 99.00 USD
Availability: InStock

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$99 $119 17% OFF Limited Time: Free Shipping Sitewide

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Makrut Lime Tree Information

About & Sizing

About The Makrut Lime Tree

Most citrus trees are grown for what you squeeze out of the fruit. The Makrut Lime (Citrus hystrix), long known by the name "kaffir lime," is the rare exception — it's prized almost entirely for its aromatic leaves and knobbly, deeply wrinkled rind.

The leaves are unmistakable: glossy, dark green, and shaped like a double hourglass, with one leaf appearing to grow out of the tip of another. Torn or bruised, they release a bright, floral citrus perfume with no real substitute, which is exactly why they're indispensable in tom yum, green and red curries, and countless Thai, Lao, Cambodian, and Indonesian dishes.

Why You'll Love It:

A pantry you can pick from. Fresh leaves beat the dried, faded ones sold in jars by a wide margin — and a single healthy tree gives you a year-round supply for the kitchen.
Flavor you can't buy fresh anywhere else. Quality makrut leaves are hard to find at most grocers, so home growers get a genuinely scarce ingredient straight off the branch.
The famous bumpy rind, too. The gnarled, dark-green fruit yields fragrant zest used in curry pastes and relishes — the juice is sharp and rarely used, so the rind is the prize.
Compact and container-friendly. Naturally small and shrubby, it adapts well to pots and stays a manageable size on a patio or in a bright room.
Ornamental year-round. Evergreen, glossy, and architectural, with thorns along the stems and a citrus scent that follows you whenever you brush past it.

Your plant may arrive in a grower Citra-pot. See our simple repotting guide & pot sizing tips here.

Plant Details

Makrut Lime Tree Details

Mature Height:

5-10 ft.

Mature Width:

3-6 ft.

Sunlight:

Full Sun

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Harvest Time:

Winter

Botanical Name:

Citrus hystrix

Grows Well In Zones:

4-11 patio / 8-11 outdoors

Does Not Ship To:

AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY

Growing Zones 3-11 Patio / 8-11 Outdoors

(Hardy down to 20° F)

Care Guide

Watering Requirements

Water newly planted trees weekly, providing 1-2 inches of water. Once established, reduce watering frequency but ensure deep watering when you do water, especially during fruit development and dry periods.

Sunlight Requirements

Thrives in full sun, needing at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce abundant fruit. Tolerates some light shade, but excessive shading can lead to weak growth, fewer blossoms, and reduced fruit yield.

Humidity Requirements

Limes love humidity just as much as they love the sun, thriving best when levels are around 50–60%, though they are resilient enough to handle levels as low as 40% without much fuss. The easiest way to keep your tree comfortable indoors is with a humidifier, which creates a consistent 'microclimate' of moist air that helps your plant thrive year-round.

Pet-Friendly Plant?

No, this plant is not recommended in homes with pets.

Read our full care guide

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Unlike standard lime trees grown for juice, the Makrut Lime Tree is prized mostly for its aromatic, double-lobed leaves, which are essential to Southeast Asian cooking. While its small, bumpy fruit yields very little liquid, the fragrant outer peel is often zested into curries and marinades. The remaining sour juice is typically reserved for cosmetics and cleaners.

What part of the Makrut Lime Tree do you actually use?

Unlike standard lime trees grown for juice, the Makrut Lime Tree is prized mostly for its aromatic, double-lobed leaves, which are essential to Southeast Asian cooking. While its small, bumpy fruit yields very little liquid, the fragrant outer peel is often zested into curries and marinades. The remaining sour juice is typically reserved for cosmetics and cleaners.

The Makrut Lime Tree is self-fertile, meaning a single tree can produce fruit without needing a cross-pollinator. Because it is primarily grown for its aromatic leaves, fruit production is entirely optional for most plant parents. However, if fruit is desired while grown indoors, simply dab the center of each blossom with a cotton swab or small brush to assist pollination.

Is the Makrut Lime Tree self-pollinating?

The Makrut Lime Tree is self-fertile, meaning a single tree can produce fruit without needing a cross-pollinator. Because it is primarily grown for its aromatic leaves, fruit production is entirely optional for most plant parents. However, if fruit is desired while grown indoors, simply dab the center of each blossom with a cotton swab or small brush to assist pollination.

You can harvest by removing individual leaves as needed, though pruning back stem tips encourages lush branching and keeps the plant compact. Freshly harvested leaves stay vibrant in the refrigerator for up to two weeks when wrapped in a damp paper towel. For long-term use, freeze them flat on a baking sheet before transferring to sealed freezer bags, where they will retain their punchy aroma for up to a year!

How do you harvest and store fresh Makrut lime leaves?

You can harvest by removing individual leaves as needed, though pruning back stem tips encourages lush branching and keeps the plant compact. Freshly harvested leaves stay vibrant in the refrigerator for up to two weeks when wrapped in a damp paper towel. For long-term use, freeze them flat on a baking sheet before transferring to sealed freezer bags, where they will retain their punchy aroma for up to a year!

How It Arrives