Tangerines are a group of mandarin oranges known for their easy-to-peel skin and sweet, juicy segments, making them an appealing choice for the home garden. They are generally more tolerant of cool temperatures than most other citrus types, which suits them for a wider range of growing areas. This fruit is a favorite for fresh eating, and home growers can successfully cultivate healthy, productive tangerine trees. Success requires attention to detail, beginning with proper establishment and continuing through consistent feeding, watering, and maintenance.
Establishing the Tangerine Tree
Success begins with choosing the right stock and location, as tangerines require specific environmental conditions to thrive. These trees prefer a subtropical climate and are best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 9 through 11, where they can remain outdoors year-round. They demand a planting site that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day.
It is recommended to select a tree grafted onto a sturdy rootstock. Seedlings can take seven or more years to produce fruit, and the resulting quality is often inconsistent. The preferred soil is well-draining, such as a sandy loam, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. If you live in a colder region, the tree can be grown in a container and moved indoors when winter temperatures threaten.
When planting, dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper than the root ball itself. The graft union, the slightly swollen area at the base of the trunk, must remain above the surrounding soil line. This prevents the scion from rooting and losing the benefits of the rootstock. After placing the tree, backfill the hole gently and water deeply to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.
Ongoing Nutritional and Water Needs
Tangerine trees are heavy feeders and require a managed schedule of water and nutrients for optimal fruit production. The primary watering goal is to saturate the root zone deeply while allowing the topsoil to dry slightly before the next application. This encourages a robust root system.
In-ground trees may need deep watering about once a week, but container trees dry out faster and may require attention every few days, especially in warm weather. A citrus-specific fertilizer, which typically has a higher nitrogen content, should be applied three times per year for in-ground trees.
The first application is best timed just before the tree blooms in late winter or early spring. The second and third applications should follow in late spring and early summer. Avoiding late-season fertilization is important because it can delay the fruit’s color development and result in a rougher rind.
Citrus trees also require micronutrients, particularly zinc and iron, which can become unavailable in alkaline soil. If new leaves display yellow tissue between green veins, apply a foliar liquid chelated micronutrient solution as new growth emerges in the spring. For established trees, spread granular fertilizer evenly beneath the canopy, ensuring it is kept several inches away from the trunk to prevent burn.
Pruning and Tree Health Management
Maintaining the physical health of the tangerine tree involves structural pruning and diligent management of pests and cold weather. While mature trees need little regular pruning, young trees benefit from shaping to establish a strong structure of three to four main branches. Removing rootstock suckers, which are vigorous shoots, is critical because they divert energy from the desired fruit-producing wood.
Pruning should also focus on removing the three “D’s”: dead, damaged, and diseased wood, which can be done at any time. Thinning out crossing branches or those growing inward improves air circulation and light penetration, helping to prevent fungal issues.
For common pests like citrus leaf miners, which target new growth and leave tell-tale silvery, winding tracks, organic control methods like horticultural oil or neem oil are effective. Applying horticultural oil or neem oil to new foliage every one to two weeks can deter the female moths from laying eggs on the vulnerable new leaves.
When freezing temperatures are anticipated, in-ground trees need protection to survive the cold. Effective methods include deep watering the soil a day or two before the freeze to increase heat retention and wrapping the trunk of young trees with insulating material. For smaller trees, covering the entire canopy with a frost cloth that extends to the ground helps trap warmth radiating from the soil.
Harvesting and Ripeness
Tangerines generally ripen earlier than larger oranges, with most varieties ready to pick between late fall and early spring. Although color change to a bright orange hue is an important sign, it is not the sole indicator of peak flavor. The fruit can color up before its sugar content is fully developed. The most reliable way to determine readiness is by performing a taste test; if the fruit is sweet and juicy, the others on the tree are likely ready for harvest.
The skin is characteristically loose and delicate, making the fruit susceptible to “plugging,” where a piece of the rind tears off at the stem end. To avoid this damage, which compromises the fruit’s storage life, use sharp hand pruners or scissors to clip the fruit from the branch, leaving a small, protective piece of stem attached. This technique ensures the fruit remains intact and stores properly.
Whole, unwashed tangerines can be kept at room temperature in a cool, dry place with good air circulation for up to five days. For longer storage, placing them loosely in a paper bag or perforated container in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer can extend their freshness for up to two weeks.