Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin

$1,570.00

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Size: 100L

100L

Current Stock Height Guides

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 3m to 4m

Mature Width: 2m to 3m

Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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About Your New Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin

Citrus deliciosa is the Mediterranean mandarin, also known as the Willowleaf mandarin and one of the oldest thorny mandarin types in cultivation. It is an evergreen with narrow willowy leaves on slender arching branches, small thorns along the young wood, and heavy crops of small, deep orange fruit with an intense fragrance.

Give it full sun and free draining soil. It suits warm temperate and Mediterranean districts, from Sydney and the Central Coast through Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula to Adelaide and the Riverland. Young trees are frost sensitive and need shelter through their first two winters. Growth is moderate, and the tree is self-fertile.

Mature trees hold at 3 to 4 metres tall and 2 to 3 metres wide, which suits courtyards, edible gardens, orchard rows and large pots on a warm terrace. The drooping habit reads well beside a path or at the corner of a lawn. Fruit ripens through winter, when little else is cropping.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Citrus deliciosa

What is Citrus deliciosa?

Citrus deliciosa is the Mediterranean mandarin, also called the Willowleaf mandarin. It is one of the oldest mandarin types still grown, and it carries small thorns on the young wood, which is where the name thorny mandarin comes from. The leaves are narrow and willow like, and the small orange fruit is highly fragrant.

How big does Citrus deliciosa grow?

Expect 3 to 4 metres tall and 2 to 3 metres wide at maturity in the ground. The habit is willowy and slightly drooping rather than upright, so allow room for the branches to arch out. Regular light pruning after harvest holds a tree closer to 2.5 metres where space is tight.

When does the fruit ripen?

Fruit colours and sweetens through winter, roughly June to August in most southern districts and a little earlier in warmer coastal areas. The white flowers appear in spring and are strongly scented. Leave the fruit on the tree until it is fully coloured, because mandarins do not continue to ripen once picked.

Is Citrus deliciosa frost tolerant?

Not while it is young. Treat it as frost sensitive for the first two winters and give it a warm wall, a north facing aspect or temporary cover in districts that get regular frost. Established trees handle light frost, but heavy or repeated frost will burn the foliage and damage developing fruit.

Why is it called the thorny mandarin?

The young wood carries short, sharp spines, a trait common in older mandarin selections that has been bred out of most modern varieties. The thorns soften as the branches mature. Wear gloves when pruning or harvesting, and thin the interior in late winter so you are not reaching through spiny growth.

Where does Citrus deliciosa grow best in Australia?

It does well anywhere citrus is reliable: Sydney and the Central Coast, coastal and inland New South Wales, Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula, Adelaide and the Riverland, and subtropical Queensland. Warm summers ripen the fruit and build sugar. Avoid cold, wet, poorly drained sites and heavy shade, which both reduce cropping.

How do I care for Citrus deliciosa?

Water deeply once or twice a week through the warm months and keep the root zone mulched, with the mulch pulled clear of the trunk. Feed with a citrus fertiliser in early spring and again in late summer. Prune lightly after harvest to keep the centre open. Watch for gall wasp and scale.

Uses in my Garden

Edible Garden
Feature Tree
Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots

Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin works in an:

Edible Garden – integrates fruit, herbs, and productive plants.
Mediterranean Style Garden – timeless courtyard look with stone, pots, and bold greenery.
Cottage Garden – romantic mix of flowers, colour, and texture.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin Evergreen or Deciduous?

Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 3m to 4m

Mature Width: 2m to 3m

Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin

Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin

Is Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin frost tolerant?

Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin is Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.

Does Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin Flower?

Citrus deliciosa carries small white star shaped flowers in clusters through spring, with the strong orange blossom scent that mandarins are known for. The flowers are followed by small deep orange fruit that colours and sweetens through winter.

Does Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Fragrant
Clustered

Flower Colour:

White

Is Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin an Australian Native Tree?

No

Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin is Native to Originally from southern China and carried west along the Mediterranean centuries ago, where it became the standard mandarin of Italy, Spain and North Africa. It is one of the oldest mandarin types still in cultivation.

What is the Wildlife Value of Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin ?

The heavily scented spring blossom draws bees and other pollinating insects, and the dense evergreen canopy gives small birds shelter through the colder months. Fallen fruit is also taken by birds and beneficial insects, adding quiet biodiversity value to an edible garden.

How much Sunlight does Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin need?

Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Citrus deliciosa needs free draining soil above everything else, and does best in a sandy loam or loam that runs slightly acidic to neutral. Heavy clay and any position that holds water will lead to root rot, so improve poor ground with compost and coarse material, or mound the planting area. Keep moisture steady through flowering and fruit fill.

Is Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin Drought Tolerant?

Is Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin Drought tolerant?

Once established it copes with short dry spells, but this is not a drought hardy tree. Fruit size and yield fall away quickly if the root zone dries out during flowering and fruit fill, so deep watering through spring and summer, backed by good mulch, gives the best crop.

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How To Plant Your Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin

Site: Choose the warmest, sunniest position you have, sheltered from cold wind and frost pockets.

Soil preparation: Work compost and aged manure through the planting area, and check that water drains away freely.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth, keeping the graft union well above soil level.

Planting: Set the root ball slightly proud of the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in and water deeply.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart so the arching habit can spread without crowding.

Orchard row: 3 metres apart, with 4 metres between rows for access and airflow.

Pots: one plant per container of at least 600 millimetres across.

Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin is expected to grow 20cm to 40cm per year (approx.).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin

Watering: Water deeply once or twice a week through spring and summer, and never let the root zone dry out while fruit is filling.

Mulching: Apply a 75 millimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, pulled back 100 millimetres from the trunk.

Pruning: Prune lightly after harvest to open the centre and remove crossing wood. Wear gloves, as the young growth is thorny.

Fertilising: Apply a complete citrus fertiliser in early spring and again in late summer, watering it in well.

Pest and disease: Watch for citrus gall wasp, scale, aphids and leaf miner on new growth. Prune out galls before spring emergence.

Planting Your Citrus deliciosa – Thorny Mandarin in Different Soil

Citrus deliciosa performs best in free draining sandy loam or loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Drainage matters more than fertility, and waterlogging is the quickest way to lose a citrus.

Sandy soil: Ideal for drainage. Add compost and mulch well to hold moisture and nutrients through summer.

Clay soil: Improve with gypsum and organic matter, and plant on a raised mound so the root zone sits above wet ground.

Loam: The preferred soil, giving steady growth and consistent fruit size.

pH: Aim for 6.0 to 7.0. Very alkaline ground causes yellowing between the leaf veins.