🌿 Kaffir Lime / Makrut Lime
Citrus hystrix
herbs
evergreen shrub/small tree
☀️ Sun
Full Sun to Partial Shade
💧 Water
Moderate to High
🗺️ Zones
4-9
🧪 Soil pH
5.5-6.5
📏 Spacing
6-10 ft apart (shrub/small tree)
⏱️ Maturity
2-3 years (from planting grafted tree); regular leaf harvest after establishment
🍴 Edible Parts
🍽️ Tom yum, Thai curries (leaves), Cambodian and Indonesian cuisine, aromatic baths
Key:🤝 Grows well together❌ Keep apart☀️ Sun needs💧 Water🗺️ Hardiness zone
🤝 Companions (7)
Basil repels pests from kaffir lime while benefiting from the tree's partial afternoon shade in hot climates , a productive herb-tree pairing.
Galangal grows well in kaffir lime's partial understory shade; both prefer well-drained soil and create the foundation of a tom yum/tom kha culinary guild.
Ginger thrives in the dappled shade beneath kaffir lime; the tree's canopy helps retain the soil moisture ginger rhizomes need.
Lemongrass planted around kaffir lime trees repels pests with its citronella content while both are essential ingredients that thrive together in Southeast Asian herb gardens.
Turmeric benefits from kaffir lime's light shade and leaf litter mulch; both share similar tropical growing requirements and are culinary companions.
Chili peppers grow well near kaffir lime trees, benefiting from wind protection and light shade while both share similar well-drained soil preferences.
Coriander grows as a seasonal understory beneath kaffir lime, benefiting from partial shade that delays bolting , both are essential in Thai cooking.
⚠️ Keep Apart (1)
⚠️ plants needing full sun beneath canopy
Growth inhibition or competition
🛒 Buy Seeds & Plants
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Johnny's Selected Seeds
Botanical Interests
True Leaf Market
Burpee
Territorial Seed Company
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