Buddha Hand Fruit

As low as $138.59 was $209.99
Availability: In stock
SKU
277302001

Buddha Hand Fruit is a Different Take on Citrus

  • One of the First Cultivated Citrus in the World
  • Sure-Fire Conversation Starter
  • Amazingly Strong Citrus Scent
  • Great in Containers
  • Delightfully Sporadic White Flowers
  • Typically Ripens November-January
  • Bring Inside for Winter Months
  • Use as Zest or Cocktail Garnishes

Growing a Buddha's Hand Fruit (Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis) gives you a conversation starter as well as a bona fide piece of history. Talk about unique!

Ancient records show that this is one of the oldest varieties of citrus fruit ever recorded. And not being your typical round citrus, when the fruit is mature it looks like a human hand with fingers reaching out.

First cultivated in China and Northern India, these fruit are also known as Fingered Citron. They are sometimes described as "lemons with fingers". This odd little citrus is treasured for its sweet floral fragrance and mild zest.

Inside the fruit there is little to no flesh or even any real juice to speak of - it's all pith and rind. Because there's nothing like regular citrus fruit inside, it isn't really an 'eating' fruit, although you can candy the rind and use the zest in baking and drink infusions.

What the fruit is often used for is table or floral displays and scenting your home. Just slice one of the 'fingers' off and it will perfume your whole room with a mouth-watering citrusy scent.

These mid-season citrus typically ripen up between November and January and deliver plenty of the wonderfully weird fruit.

NatureHills.com ships strong, young trees with great branching and hardy roots to get you off to a great start. Order yours today!

How to Use Buddha Hand Fruit in the Landscape

Hardy in zones 10 and 11, most of us will be enjoying Buddha's Hand as a patio tree to be moved inside during the winter months. This means you can use as an outdoor decoration in the summer months and an indoor delight during the winter!

Periodically, you'll find white flowers budding atop the lush green foliage as many citrus varieties do.

The fruit resembles a lemon with finger-like segments and, when places prominently, is sure to kick off plenty of conversations with your guests and neighbors.

Sure, there aren't many recipes that call for the fleshy part of the fruit due to its mostly rindy nature but that doesn't mean there's no use for it in the kitchen!

Snag a buddha hand citron and zest it into salad dressing or your favorite savory dishes--it tastes like lemon zest. You can also elevate cocktail night with a lemony garnish.

If you have any leftovers after all that, try your own hand at candying your fruity hand. The pith (or the white part inside the rind) isn't bitter and therefore doesn't require the timely steps of soaking and pre-boiling.

#ProPlantTips for Care

This symbol of happiness longevity and good fortune is self-pollinating, so no need for a second partner to reap the benefits of these fun fruit.

To keep Buddah's Hand happy, plant in well-drained soils in full sun. If you don't live in zones 10 or 11, we suggest planting in a pot with good drainage and place it in your sunniest window for best results.

Like other citrus, Buddha's Hand HATES soggy soil so the well-drained part of this care plan is key.

While flowering can be pretty sporadic, the fruit typically ripens between November and January. When indoors, try to add a bit of humidity to its spot, it'll appreciate it endlessly. Read more about taking care of citrus indoors in our blog: Growing Citrus Trees in Pots.

Lemons and limes are great but why not take a ride on the wild side with Buddha Hand Fruit! Order one today from our expert growers at NatureHills.com!

Buying Options for Plants

Nature Hills sells a large variety of plants with several options available. Plants are offered in both potted containers and as dormant bare root without soil. Here is a helpful resource to understand your options as you create a beautiful landscape with help from Nature Hills.

Ever wonder what a larger plant will mean for your landscape? Container Sizes are really all about the age of the plant!

Seasonally, Nature Hills offers hand selected, high quality bare root trees, shrubs and perennials. Bare root plants are sold by height from the top of the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may be taller than the height minimums.

  • Popular sizes of select trees are 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, etc.
  • Popular sizes of select bare root plants is 1 foot, 18 inches, etc.

Nature Hills Container Size by Volume

Keep in mind, specific varieties and different growing conditions can affect the rate at which plants grow. Variations in size may occur.

Young Plants to 18 Months
Size Volume
2"x2"x3" Ranges from .18 to .21 dry quarts / .198 to .23 dry liters in volume
4.5" Container Equal to .65 dry quart / .72 dry liter in volume
Sprinter Pot Equal to .63 dry quart / .69 dry liter in volume
4" Container Ranges from .31 to .87 / .35 to .96 dry liter in volume
6" Container Equal to 1.4 dry quarts / 1.59 dry liters in volume
1 Quart Equal to 1 dry quart / 1.1 dry liter in volume
5.5" Container Equal to 1.89 of a dry quart / 2.08 dry liters in volume
4"x4"x5" Ranges from .8 to 1.1 dry quarts / .88 to 1.2 dry liters in volume
4"x4"x6" Ranges from 1.0 to 1.3 dry quarts / 1.1 to 1.41 dry liters in volume
4"x4"x9" Ranges from 1.1 to 2.1 dry quarts / 1.2 to 2.3 dry liters in volume
4"x4"x10" Ranges from 1.7 to 2.3 dry quart / 1.87 to 2.53 dry liters in volume
Plants 18 Months - 2.5 Years Old
Size Volume
2 Quart Equal to 2 dry quarts / 2.2 dry liters in volume
#1 Container Ranges from 2.26 to 3.73 dry quarts / 2.49 to 4.11 dry liters in volume
5"x5"x12" Equal to 3.5 to 4.3 dry quarts / 3.85 to 4.74 dry liters in volume
Plants 2 - 4 Years Old
Size Volume
#2 Container Ranges from 1.19 to 1.76 dry gallons / 5.24 to 7.75 dry liters in volume
#3 Container Ranges from 2.32 to 2.76 dry gallons / 10.22 to 12.16 dry liters in volume
Plants 3 - 5 Years Old
Size Volume
#5 Container Ranges from 2.92 to 4.62 dry gallons / 12.86 to 20.35 dry liters in volume
#6 Container Ranges from 5.25 to 6.01 dry gallons / 23.12 to 26.42 dry liters in volume
#7 Container Ranges from 5.98 to 6.08 dry gallons / 26.34 to 26.78 dry liters in volume

About Plant Sentry™

Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.

This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.

Click Here to learn more

Plant Sentry

Shipping

To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.

Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.

*If you have found your zone already, it will be highlighted in the table below.
Color Zone Times
3 Spring 2019
4 Now
5 Now
6 Now
7 Now
8 Now
9 Now
10 Now
11 Now

Shipping Rates

At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.

From To S&H
0 - 19.99 24.99
20 - 49.99 29.99
50 - 69.99 34.99
70 - 99.99 39.99
100 - 129.99 44.99
130 - 149.99 48.99
150 - 150+ Approx 28%

Click here to see our full rates

PLANT HIGHLIGHTS

Buddha Hand Fruit Is Suited to Grow in Zones 10-11 (Indoors 4-11)
Growing Zones 10-11 (Indoors 4-11)
More Information
Brand Nature Hills' Choice
Botanical Name Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis
Type Broad-Leaved Evergreen
Mature Height 8 - 12 feet
Mature Spread 6 - 12 feet
Sun Exposure Full Sun
Soil Well Drained
Moisture Medium
Growth Rate Medium
Flower Color White
Foliage Color Green
Harvest Time Late Season
Pollinator Friendly Yes
Fragrant Yes