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Citrus medica (Citron)

Other names: Buddha's hand, Fingered citron, Sweet lime, Bush ukan, Cheu yuan, Citron oil plant, Cedrat, Etrog, Citrus medica 'Wisley', Citrus sudachi

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Species
C. medica is a variable, spreading, rounded, or irregular, evergreen shrub with spiny stems bearing ovate to elliptic, dark green leaves and short racemes of purple-flushed, white flowers from spring to autumn followed by oblong to ovoid, yellow fruit with edible flesh.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
5 m 3 m 10-20 years
16 ft 9 ft 10-20 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Clay
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

In frost-free areas, grow in well-drained, neutral to acid soil in full sun. Under glass, grow in containers of loam-based compost with added grit in full light with shade from hot sun. Water freely and mist daily in growth. Feed throughout the year as per instructions on product label.

Suggested uses

Containers/Patio, Architectural, Mediterranean, Cottage/Informal, City, Flavouring food and drinks, Cake decoration, Add to salads, Indoor, Conservatory

UK hardiness

H2

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 10, Zone 11

Sunset zone

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

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Upright, Rounded to broadly spreading, Irregular

Native to

Southwestern Asia

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Fragrance

Flowers are fragrant and fruit smells like lemons.

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Thin fruit as required. Pruning group 1.

Propagation methods

Semi-hardwood cuttings, Seed

Propagation

Sow seed at 16C (61F) in spring. Seed will not come true to type.

Pests

Glasshouse red spider mite

Scale insects

Aphids

Caterpillars

Mealybugs

Fruit tree red spider mite

Diseases

Selective pruning only (only if needed)

Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late-summer

Plant container grown plants in a sunny sheltered spot

Plant in acidic soil

Plant in acid soils that are moist but well-drained

Sow seed in containers with heat (spring)

Fertilise fruit and vegetables

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (22)

Citrus

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Citrus x microcarpa
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Citrus x microcarpa Calamondin
Citrus hystrix
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Citrus hystrix Thai lime
Citrus x limon 'Four Seasons'
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Citrus x limon 'Four Seasons' Lemon 'Four Seasons'
Citrus x aurantium Sweet Orange Group
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Citrus x aurantium Sweet Orange Group Sweet orange
Citrus x latifolia
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Citrus x latifolia Persian lime
Citrus x limon 'Improved Meyer'
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Citrus x limon 'Improved Meyer' Meyer's lemon
Citrus medica
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Citrus medica Citron
Citrus trifoliata
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Citrus trifoliata Japanese bitter orange
Citrus x aurantium Grapefruit Group
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Citrus x aurantium Grapefruit Group Grapefruit
Citrus x limon 'Eureka'
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Citrus x limon 'Eureka' Lemon 'Eureka'
Citrus x aurantium 'Bergamot de Versailles'
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Citrus x aurantium 'Bergamot de Versailles' Citrus 'Bergamot de Versailles'
Citrus japonica
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Citrus japonica Kumquat
Citrus 'La Valette'
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Citrus 'La Valette' Lemon 'La Valette'
Citrus x obovata 'Fukushu'
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Citrus x obovata 'Fukushu' Kumquat 'Fukushu'
Citrus x floridana
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Citrus x floridana Limequat
Citrus x aurantium (Sweet Orange Group) 'Baia'
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Citrus x aurantium (Sweet Orange Group) 'Baia' Sweet orange 'Baia'
Citrus reticulata
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Citrus reticulata Satsuma
Citrus 'Sunrise Lime'
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Citrus 'Sunrise Lime' Australian lime 'Sunrise Lime'
Citrus x junos
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Citrus x junos Yuzu
Citrus x aurantiifolia
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Citrus x aurantiifolia Lime
Citrus x limon
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Citrus x limon Lemon
Citrus x aurantium (Tangelo Group) 'Minneola'
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Citrus x aurantium (Tangelo Group) 'Minneola' Tangelo 'Minneola'
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Companion plants (0)

Related content

Discuss Citrus medica with other Shoot members

Re: outdoors

Kathy N
486 0
Hi, Derek,
It depends upon where you live. If you live in an area with cold winters that get any freezing temps/frost/snow/etc, it is best to keep it in a container and move it inside over the winter. Unheated greenhouse won't be enough protection if you are in a cold area.
Kathy C
Posted: Tuesday 1st of May 2012 03:56 PM

outdoors

Shoot User
486 1
we have limited space in our house, and an unheated greenhouse. if i planted the Buddha's hand in the garden what protection would be required over winter?
Posted: Sunday 29th of April 2012 06:22 PM Last reply: Saturday 1st of March 2025 04:55 AM
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