If you've never seen a Buddha's hand fruit before, you're in for a treat! Buddha's hand, also known as the fingered citron tree is a citrus fruit that rivals ALL other citrus fruits such as limes, lemons, and oranges. And as you can tell by the pictures and its name, it looks like a hand! This lemon colored fruit can have anywhere from 5-20 long “fingers” which dangle from a small distorted “lemon”. Although Buddha's hand doesn't have much pulp inside, it's revered for its incredible lavender-citrus scent and taste which is often used in essential oils. Keep reading to find out how to grow Buddha's hand in your garden!
How to Grow Buddha's Hand
Planting Buddha's Hand:
- If you've ever grown a citrus tree before, Buddha's hand is grown exactly the same way.
- Best suited for tropical and subtropical climates, specifically USDA zones 10-11, but can also be grown indoors in large pots.
- They can grow up to 10 feet tall and are very often grown in pots or containers as decorative plants.
- Grow Buddha's hand seeds in well draining rich acidic soil.
- Choose a sunny spot that's sheltered from the wind.
- Water the plant regularly for the first 2 years while it is growing.
Caring for Buddha's Hand:
- In times of drought, water the plant regularly.
- After it has grown, only water once soil is dry.
- Fertilize with citrus fertilizer.
So now that you know how to grow Buddha's hand, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get to planting!
Happy Planting!
What do these seeds look like? I received some Buddha’s hand seeds…small, black seeds that look nothing like any citrus seed I’ve ever seen, more like large flower seeds. Any help would be appreciated.
Hi there,
Yep! Those would be it – they look a little strange, but then again so does the fruit itself 🙂