Discover the utterly unique and aromatic beauty of Citrus medica 'Digitata', universally known as the Buddha's Hand Citron. This small, ornamental citrus tree is a horticultural curiosity, celebrated for its spectacular, finger-like fruit that bears an uncanny resemblance to a human hand. The fruit is almost entirely rind and pith, lacking juice or seeds, but possessing an intensely sweet, floral-lemon fragrance. A visually dramatic and endlessly fascinating plant, the Buddha's Hand is a superb specimen for sunrooms, conservatories, or as a patio centerpiece, offering both year-round evergreen foliage and highly coveted, aromatic fruit.
Plant Placement Area:
Full sun: Essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering, and setting fruit. It needs at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Warm and protected: Not frost-hardy. In most climates, it must be grown in a container so it can be moved to a protected, brightly lit area (conservatory, greenhouse, or sunroom) during winter. Ideal temperature range is 15-30°C (60-85°F).
Good air circulation: Benefits from good airflow, especially when moved indoors for the winter.
Benefits:
Unique, Architectural Fruit: The incredible shape of the fruit makes it an unparalleled decorative statement and a genuine conversation piece.
Intense Fragrance: The rind releases a strong, sweet, non-bitter lemon-floral aroma, highly prized for potpourri and room fragrance.
Culinary Use: The rind is entirely usable for zesting, candying, making marmalades, or flavouring spirits and teas, as it lacks bitterness.
Evergreen Foliage: Provides year-round dark green colour and interest, even when not in fruit.
Ornamental Value: A stunning specimen tree for large pots on a sunny patio or balcony.
Watering Tips:
Deep and regular watering: Citrus plants are thirsty. Water deeply when the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch. Do not allow the plant to completely dry out.
Ensure excellent drainage: The soil must drain quickly. Standing water will lead to fatal root rot. Container plants often need daily watering in hot summer weather.
Maintain consistency: Avoid large fluctuations between overly wet and bone-dry soil, especially when fruit is developing.
Care Tips:
Fertilize heavily: Citrus trees are heavy feeders. Use a specialized citrus fertilizer (high in nitrogen and containing micronutrients like iron, zinc, and manganese) during the spring and summer growing season, following the product's directions. Reduce feeding in autumn and stop in winter.
Soil: Plant in a specialized, fast-draining citrus potting mix or a blend of potting soil, peat, and coarse perlite/grit.
Pruning: Pruning is minimal, mainly to shape the tree, maintain an open center for airflow, and remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Pruning is best done just before new growth starts in spring.
Pest monitoring: Check regularly for common citrus pests like scale, spider mites, and mealybugs, especially when the plant is moved indoors for winter.
Light Level:
Full Sun: Absolute requirement for healthy growth and prolific fruiting. Needs 6+ hours of direct sun.
Avoid Low Light: Insufficient light will result in pale foliage, poor flowering, and the plant will become weak and susceptible to pests.
Toxicity:
Mildly toxic to pets: The essential oils found in the rind and leaves of citrus plants can cause mild gastrointestinal upset (vomiting and diarrhea) in cats and dogs if ingested. Keep pets from chewing the foliage.
Plant Characteristics:
Value: Unique Fruit, Highly Fragrant, Evergreen, Architectural Form, Ornamental
Class:
Value: Citrus Tree, Fruiting Shrub, Container Plant
Suitable Space:
Value: Sunny Patio, Conservatory, Greenhouse, Sunroom, Bright Balcony
Sunlight:
Value: Full Sun
Tag:
Value: Outdoor Plant (Tender), Indoor Plant, Fragrant, Edible Rind, Specimen Plant, Container Citrus, Low Maintenance (Structurally)
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