Pixie Mandarin Tree

Availability: Out of stock
SKU
4WMPIXI

What the Pixie Mandarin (Citrus reticulata 'Pixie') lacks in size, it makes up for in sweet, indulgent flavor! These tiny little fruits are ever-so-popular - beloved by kids, adults also love their sweet, juicy goodness.

The Pixie Mandarin has a mild, sweet taste with lots of juice and deep orange flesh. The Pixie Mandarin is a citrus fruit that is completely seedless, making it even more desirable to both kids and foodies in general.

The Pixie is a delight for kids, since it's both kid-sized and easy to peel, making it a snack they can easily serve themselves. Pack them in lunchboxes, keep them in the counter for healthy snacking for the whole family, or add them to fruit salads and platters. Pixies, like all Citrus fruits, are a great source of vitamin C, known for their antioxidant and immune-boosting properties.

Planting and Application:

Growers certainly appreciate the tropical look on their properties. The dark, leathery green leaves and upright foliage of this exquisite Mandarin variety give it a rain-forest vibe that many growers and passersby appreciate.

These are ornamental lovelies that light up both front, side and back yard locations of your landscape! With their brilliant foliage, scented white blooms and glowing orange orbs dangling from your tree, there’s always something to enjoy! Northern gardeners too, can pot this tree up and keep it on porches or patios, and just bring them indoors for the winter!

  • Sweet, Juicy Fruit
  • Compact Size & Vigorous Upright Evergreen Growth
  • Late Season & Long Hang Time
  • Grow Indoors & Out
  • Specimen or Container Tree

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Well-drained soil is required for the Pixie Mandarin Tree. It requires moderate moisture to maintain its health and ensure a bountiful harvest. Grow the Pixie in the ground if you live in Zones 9-10, or cultivate it in a container in Zones 4-10.

  • Prune to any size - ideal container plant
  • Protect from cold & drafts - Provide at least 6 hours of full sun per day
  • Provide a regular fertilizer schedule
  • Learn about Caring for your Citrus Tree in our Garden Blog
  • Provide a slightly acidic site that’s enriched & well-drained

The Pixie Mandarin Tree is a cute little Citrus that packs a whopping amount of flavor! Hurry and order now before they sell out! Reap the rewards of growing your own homegrown fruit anywhere in the U.S.!

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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
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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%

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One of the Finest Modern Day Mandarins

The Pixie Mandarin was developed by Howard Brett Frost at the University of California, Riverside Citrus Research Center in 1927. Frost first crossed two Mandarin varieties, King and Dancy. He was hoping to get the late ripening of the King and the flavor of the Dancy. The result was a selection he named Kincy. The Kincy was large and seedy. He crossed it again, but this was not as well documented. This generation resulted in the Pixie, and the parentage is somewhat clouded.

The Pixies is either an open pollinated seedling of the Kincy of which the parent variety is unknown, or it is a seedling that came from the original cross. In either case, the result was decades of observation at the UC Riverside Citrus Center with no better recommendation for the selection than it possibly being suited for the backyard grower.

Because the Pixie sets light when young, it wasn't considered well suited for the commercial market. It could take 4 years before a grower would see a commercial size crop. Also, Mandarins in the mid-1900's were considered a Christmas fruit and the Pixie was not ripe until late January, well after the traditional market for the Mandarin.

Finally, in 1965 UC Riverside breeders James Cameron and Robert Soost released the Pixie, but with the recommendation that it be best suited for home gardeners. Then for another 15 to 20 years, the Pixie sat waiting to be appreciated.

In the late 1970's, citrus growers on the coast of California around the Ojai area sought to extend the selling season of mandarins. They were impressed by the flavor of the Pixie and began planting acres. More and more growers from the region followed on the success of Pixie Mandarins sales and today the Ojai region is renowned for the mandarins they produce. Pixie Mandarin remains a favorite.

The exposure of the variety by commercial growers also increased the demand from the home garden market. The range of adaptation was expanded by home gardeners experimenting with Pixie in colder areas of Zone 9, where it has proved to be a great performer.

Though admittedly slow to come into full fruit production, Pixie has also proved to be less prone to drastic swings in yearly production when mature. The flavor sets the high quality standard for the mandarin. It's almost seedless quality and ease of peeling makes Pixie Mandarin a favorite for the home gardener. The long harvest - up to 4 months or more - means the enjoyment seems to never end.

PLANT HIGHLIGHTS

Pixie Mandarin Tree Is Suited to Grow in Zones 9-10 (Patio 4-10)
Growing Zones 9-10 (Patio 4-10)
More Information
Brand Nature Hills' Choice
Botanical Name Citrus reticulata 'Pixie'
Type Broad-Leaved Evergreen
Mature Height 8 - 10 feet
Mature Spread 4 - 6 feet
Sun Exposure Full Sun
Soil Well Drained
Moisture Moderate
Growth Rate Medium
Flower Color White
Harvest Time Late Season
Pollinator Friendly Yes
Fruiting Time 3 - 5 Years
Pruning Time Late Winter
Fragrant Yes

Notice On Shipping Citrus: Agricultural Laws Prevent Us From Shipping Citrus Trees Into AZ, LA, TX, and Maybe Prevented in FL or CA