3 named cultivars

tree

Mandarin

Citrus reticulata

$89.95

The Story

Plant Bio

Citrus reticulata, the mandarin, is an evergreen small spreading tree or large shrub with a rounded, dense canopy of dark glossy green leaves and slender, sometimes spiny branches. In spring, it produces solitary or small axillary clusters of white flowers that give way to sweet, easily peeled orange fruit.

This species is distinguished by its lanceolate to elliptic-lanceolate leaves with winged or narrowly winged petioles and light green new growth. The fruit peel and foliage contain essential oils that can cause contact irritation or mild photosensitivity in sensitive individuals.

Uses & Benefits:

Features a dense, rounded evergreen canopy of glossy dark green leaves and fragrant white spring flowers.

Produces sweet, easily peeled edible fruit and serves as a compact specimen tree or container plant.

Spring flowers attract generalist pollinators, including honeybees and native bees.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

197"

Width

157"

Light

Full Sun

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate to high

Native To

Southeastern Asia

Toxicity

Peel and foliage can cause contact irritation or mild photosensitivity

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Fast Growing Trees

In Stock$89.95

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Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with well-draining, loamy, sandy, or volcanic soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the graft union remains well above the soil line.
Water deeply at planting, maintaining regular moisture to support optimal fruit yield and quality while avoiding waterlogged conditions.
Apply a balanced citrus-specific slow-release fertilizer split into three to four applications from late winter through summer.

Pro Tip

Avoid planting too deep; burying the root flare or graft union below the soil line invites Phytophthora collar rot. Additionally, avoid over-fertilizing young trees with raw high-nitrogen sources, which triggers tender flushes highly vulnerable to leafminer and aphid attacks.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune annually in spring after harvest and once the threat of hard frost has passed to shape the canopy.
Ensure immaculate soil drainage to prevent root rot.
Protect young trunks from rabbits using physical tree guards or fencing.
Use insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils to manage aphids and spider mites.

Don't

Do not bury the root flare or graft union when planting.
Do not prune heavily into old, leafless wood, as this results in slow and patchy regrowth.
Do not allow standing water or waterlogged soils around the root system.
Do not over-fertilize young trees with raw high-nitrogen sources.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Harvest
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Edible LandscapingSpecimen PlantCourtyard GardensContainers

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Mandarin questions

What zones can Mandarin grow in?

Mandarin is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Mandarin deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Mandarin, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Mandarin bloom?

Mandarin typically blooms in spring through spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Mandarin need full sun?

Mandarin does best in full sun (6+ hours).