Mandarin trees can nourish your family and your landscape. Browse our inventory for a wide range of varieties of mandarin tree to plant in your warm-climate garden or grow indoors in a container.
Fragrant Mandarin Trees Produce Flavorful Fruits
Mandarin trees produce fragrant spring blooms, evergreen foliage, and small, sweet citrus fruits similar to oranges that can be eaten fresh or added to salads and other dishes. Mandarin cultivars include clementine, dandy, and encore, which can grow to varying heights. The fruit produced by the tree is generally easy to peel and has few to no seeds.
The era of the mandarin began in China thousands of years ago, but the tree first came to the U.S. in the 1840s. An Italian consul brought one to New Orleans, and from there the exotic citrus tree spread through the southern states and California. The fruit is very popular today for its easy peeling and general lack of seeds.
Easy-to-Grow Citrus Trees
Relatively easy to grow, mandarin trees prefer full sun and soil with excellent drainage. Mandarins are popular in tropical and subtropical areas, especially in USDA planting zones 8 to 11. They are tender trees that can be damaged by cold weather, so bring mandarin trees indoors for the winter or protect them from exposure. Many people in more northern regions grow citrus trees in pots, making it easier to take advantage of warm summers then transition to indoors when temps plummet.
How & Where to Plant Mandarin Trees
Mandarin trees have dense foliage, making them a good option for privacy hedges. When mature, the brightly colored fruits of these trees offer gorgeous contrast against the glossy green leaves. Mandarin trees attract pollinators and make a gorgeous focal point for any garden. Here are a few of our favorite mandarin tree varieties: