Emperor Mandarin Tree

Emperor Mandarin (Citrus reticulata 'Emperor') is a dependable early to mid season mandarin with sweet, juicy, easy peel fruit and a good name in cooler districts. On a standard rootstock it grows into a rounded evergreen tree of about 3m to 4m that carries heavy crops of deep orange fruit through autumn and winter.

Why you'll love it

• Sweet, easy peel fruit. The skin lifts away cleanly and the segments are juicy and sweet, ideal for lunchboxes.
• Self-fertile. A single tree sets fruit without a partner.
• Cool-climate friendly. Emperor is a reliable choice where winters are cool, because the fruit sweetens as nights chill.
• Glossy, evergreen foliage. Fragrant white blossom in spring and bright fruit in the cooler months make it a good looking garden tree.

Where it works best

Backyard orchard. Plant 3m to 4m apart in full sun, away from paving that bakes the roots.

Large pots. A pot 50cm or wider holds a tree for years if you feed and water it regularly.

Feature tree. As a lawn specimen it gives shade, blossom perfume and fruit in the one plant.

Growing Emperor Mandarin in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun and shelter from strong wind. It grows in subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate gardens. Protect young trees from frost for their first few winters.

Soil. Free draining soil enriched with compost. Citrus hates wet feet, so mound the planting area where drainage is poor.

Water and feed. Water deeply once a week through summer and feed with a citrus fertiliser in spring, summer and autumn. Mulch, but keep it off the trunk.

Pruning. Prune lightly after harvest to open the canopy and remove dead wood. Watch for citrus leaf miner on new growth and net against fruit fly.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Emperor Mandarin in 200mm pots in packs of 6, 300mm pots, 400mm pots, 500mm pots, 100 litre bags and 500 litre bags. Grafted citrus crops sooner than a seedling, with the larger bags and 500mm pots giving the biggest head start. The advanced bags are specimen trees that suit a gap needing instant impact. Our growers do not hold every size all year, so a size can show as on backorder at times. An order for a backorder size is confirmed with you before anything ships.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Explore the full citrus range
• More citrus trees
• How to grow citrus trees in your backyard
• Plants for pots and containers

Common questions

Do I need a second citrus tree?

No. Emperor is self-fertile, so one tree crops on its own.

When is Emperor ripe?

It ripens from autumn into winter, earlier in warmer districts. Taste a fruit before picking, because skin colour alone can mislead.

Can it live in a pot?

Yes, in a large pot with free draining citrus mix, regular water and feed. The Dwarf Emperor is an even tidier option for pots.