Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis (Buddha’s Hand)

Buddha’s Hand (Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis): A Fragrant Marvel with Fingers of Fortune

Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis, commonly known as Buddha’s Hand, is one of the most unusual and visually striking members of the citrus family. This ancient citron variety is easily recognized by its finger-like segments that resemble the open or closed hands seen in artistic depictions of the Buddha. While it contains little to no pulp or juice, it is highly prized for its powerful lemon blossom aroma, ornamental beauty, and symbolic value in East Asian cultures. Today, Buddha’s Hand is cultivated for culinary zest, perfumery, bonsai, and religious offerings.

Closely related to other members of the citrus family Rutaceae such as the Persian lime, Key lime, orange, pomelo, and Kaffir lime, Buddha’s Hand offers a dramatically different take on what citrus can be.

What is Buddha’s Hand?

Description

Buddha’s Hand is a small, shrubby tree or large evergreen bush with irregular branches covered in sharp thorns. Its large, oblong leaves are light green and slightly rumpled, with serrated margins. Fragrant white flowers flushed with purple appear in clusters and are highly attractive to pollinators. The fruit is its defining feature: a bright yellow, segmented structure shaped like fingers extending from a central base, either closed together or splayed open. Most fruits contain no pulp, juice, or seeds—only the thick, aromatic rind and white albedo (pith).

Native Range

The Buddha’s Hand citron is believed to have originated in northeastern India or China and has been cultivated for over a thousand years throughout Asia. It is especially revered in China and Japan, where it symbolizes happiness, longevity, and prosperity. Today it is grown in parts of Asia, the Mediterranean, and increasingly in California and other temperate citrus-producing regions.

Growth Habit

Buddha’s Hand is a small, thorny shrub or tree with an open, irregular habit. It typically remains small, making it ideal for containers and ornamental use. It is often grown in large pots on patios, terraces, or indoors.

Size

Mature trees reach 6–15 feet (1.8–4.5 meters) in height and spread, though they are often maintained smaller in containers or as bonsai specimens.

Flowers

The flowers are similar to other citrons—white with a deep purple tinge on the outside. They are sweetly scented and borne in clusters throughout spring and early summer.

Blooming Season

Buddha’s Hand typically blooms from spring to early summer. Fruits develop slowly and mature from late fall through winter (November to January).

Fruits

The fruit is a fleshy, segmented citron lacking juice or seeds. It ranges from 6 to 12 inches (15–30 cm) in length. The outer peel (flavedo) is richly aromatic and highly prized for its use in zesting. The white pith (albedo) is less bitter than other citrus varieties and can be candied or used in marmalades. The segments may vary from open (splayed fingers) to closed (joined at the tip), with some cultivars displaying both forms.

Leaves

Leaves are evergreen, oblong, and deeply veined with a pale green hue. New growth and young leaves often appear purple-tinged. When crushed, the foliage emits a fragrant citrus aroma.

Hardiness

USDA Zones 10–11. Buddha’s Hand is more cold-sensitive than many other citrus varieties and should be protected from frost. In colder regions, grow it in containers that can be moved indoors during winter.

Uses

• Culinary: The zest is used to flavor desserts, sauces, marinades, and alcoholic beverages. The pith can be candied or made into marmalade.
• Perfumery: The fruit’s intense fragrance makes it ideal for room freshening and scenting linens or clothing.
• Religious: In East Asia, Buddha’s Hand is a traditional offering at Buddhist temples and a popular gift for the New Year, symbolizing good fortune.
• Ornamental: Its unique appearance and compact size make it a favorite for bonsai, patio pots, and garden decoration.
• Medicinal: Used in traditional Chinese medicine as a tonic and digestive aid; dried peel is also brewed in herbal teas.
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Toxicity

Buddha’s Hand is non-toxic to humans and pets. However, as with all citrus, excessive consumption of the rind may cause gastrointestinal irritation in sensitive individuals.

Buddha’s Hand Nutrition

Buddha’s Hand contains almost no juice or pulp. Its nutritional profile closely resembles that of lemon peel, with low calories and small amounts of carbohydrates, fiber, and vitamin C. Most of its value comes from aromatic essential oils like limonene and other bioactive compounds found in the zest. While the nutritional contribution is minor in typical culinary uses, its health benefits derive from its potent fragrance and antioxidant content.

DV = Daily Value based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Values are approximate and apply to zest only.

Buddha’s Hand Health Benefits

How to Eat Buddha’s Hand

Preparation and Edible Parts

Buddha’s Hand contains no pulp, juice, or seeds—only a thick rind composed of intensely fragrant zest and mildly bitter white pith (albedo). The entire fruit is edible, but it’s primarily prized for its zest and aromatic peel.

How to Use the Zest

• Break off a finger or slice off a section of the fruit.
• Use a microplane or zester to grate only the yellow outer peel, avoiding the bitter white pith if desired.
• Use the zest in place of lemon or lime zest in baked goods, dressings, marinades, sauces, and drinks.
• The zest adds a floral-citrus flavor with a hint of sweetness and spice.

Culinary Uses

• Candied Peel: Slice the fruit into thin strips and candy it in sugar syrup for a fragrant, chewy treat.
• Infusions: Steep sliced fingers in vodka, gin, or rice liquor to create aromatic liqueurs or cocktail infusions.
• Preserves: Use in marmalades or jam, as the albedo is rich in pectin.
• Tea and Syrups: Infuse Buddha’s Hand peel into honey, sugar syrup, or tea for a citrusy, calming flavor.
• Savory Dishes: Add zest to salads, stir-fries, or seafood to enhance brightness and aroma.

Tips

• Because of its powerful aroma, a little goes a long way. Start with a small amount of zest and adjust to taste.
• The fruit can also be left whole to perfume a room or drawer, acting as a natural air freshener.
• Store Buddha’s Hand at room temperature for up to a week or refrigerate for a longer shelf life.

How to Grow and Care for Buddha’s Hand Trees

Light Requirements

Buddha’s Hand trees thrive in full sun and require at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Choose a bright, sheltered location for outdoor planting or place containers near south-facing windows if growing indoors.

Soil Requirements

Plant in well-drained, loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5–7.0). Avoid heavy clay soils. For containers, use a commercial citrus potting mix amended with perlite or sand to improve drainage.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry. Reduce watering in winter when growth slows. Overwatering may lead to root rot.

Fertilizing

Feed regularly from spring through summer with a balanced citrus fertilizer. Apply every 4–6 weeks, or use a slow-release formula. Supplement with micronutrients like magnesium and iron if leaves show signs of deficiency.

Pruning

Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape, remove dead wood, and improve airflow. Trim suckers and water sprouts. Take care when pruning as the tree has sharp thorns.

Container Growing

Buddha’s Hand trees grow well in containers. Select pots at least 18 inches wide with drainage holes. Repot every 2–3 years to refresh soil and manage root growth. Move indoors in cooler climates before the first frost.

Cold Hardiness

Very frost-sensitive. Best grown in USDA Zones 10–11. In Zones 8–9, provide winter protection or grow in containers that can be overwintered indoors.

Tips

• Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds, keeping mulch away from the trunk base.
• Hand-pollination can improve fruit set in indoor or low-bee areas.
• Harvest fruits when they turn bright yellow and emit a strong fragrance.

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How to Harvest Buddha’s Hand

When to Harvest

• Harvest from late fall to mid-winter (typically November through January).
• Fruits are ready when they turn fully yellow, feel firm, and are strongly fragrant.
• Can be harvested earlier if used primarily for zest or decorative purposes.

How to Harvest

• Use clean, sharp pruners to cut the fruit with a short stem attached.
• Handle gently to prevent damage to the delicate fingers.
• Inspect for blemishes, mold, or bruising before storage or use.

Storage

• Store at room temperature for up to 1 week.
• Refrigerate in a perforated bag to extend freshness for up to 3–4 weeks.
• Zest or slice and freeze, or preserve in alcohol or sugar syrup for long-term use.

How to Propagate Buddha’s Hand Trees

Propagation by Cuttings

• Take 6–8 inch semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring or early summer.
• Remove lower leaves, dip in rooting hormone, and plant in a well-drained medium.
• Cover with a humidity dome or plastic bag to retain moisture.
• Keep in bright, indirect light and maintain moisture. Rooting takes 6–10 weeks.

Grafting

• Most commonly propagated via grafting onto vigorous citrus rootstocks like trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata).
• Use methods such as T-budding or whip-and-tongue grafting in late winter or early spring.
• Grafting improves disease resistance, adaptability, and growth consistency.

Air Layering

• Choose a healthy branch, remove a ring of bark, and apply rooting hormone.
• Wrap with moist sphagnum moss and plastic wrap. Secure both ends.
• Roots usually form in 6–8 weeks. Once rooted, cut and pot the new plant.

Seed Propagation

• Not recommended, as many fruits are seedless and variability is high.
• Seedlings take 8–10 years to fruit and may not resemble the parent plant.

Common Pests and Diseases of Buddha’s Hand

Common Pests

• Aphids: Cluster on new growth, causing curling and stunted leaves. They excrete honeydew, promoting sooty mold.
• Scale Insects: Sap-feeders that attach to stems and leaves. Their secretions also lead to mold issues.
• Whiteflies: Found under leaves; they sap nutrients and cause yellowing and mold development.
• Spider Mites: Thrive in dry conditions and cause leaf speckling and drop.
• Mealybugs: White, waxy pests that weaken the plant and foster mold.

Common Diseases

• Root Rot: Caused by excess moisture and poor drainage. Roots darken and decay; leaves wilt.
• Sooty Mold: Black fungus growing on honeydew. It blocks light and hinders growth.
• Citrus Canker: Bacterial disease causing lesions with yellow halos. Requires pruning and copper sprays.
• Citrus Greening (Huanglongbing / HLB): One of the most devastating citrus diseases, caused by a bacterium spread by the Asian citrus psyllid. Symptoms include yellow mottled leaves, misshapen bitter fruits, and stunted growth. There is no cure—control psyllid populations and remove infected trees promptly.

Prevention Tips

• Inspect trees regularly for early signs of pests or disease.
• Prune for airflow and light penetration.
• Use horticultural oils or insecticidal soap for pest control.
• Sanitize tools and avoid overwatering.