How to Grow Honey Tangerine
Wikimedia Commons
Honey Tangerine
Citrus reticulata 'Honey'
fruitHoney tangerines are a sweet, seedless citrus fruit known for their distinctive honey-like flavor and deep orange color. These small to medium-sized fruits grow on moderately sized evergreen trees that are relatively cold-hardy for citrus. They are prized for fresh eating and are naturally seedless or nearly seedless.
When should you plant Honey Tangerine in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Honey Tangerine timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Honey Tangerine
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Honey Tangerine
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Honey Tangerine dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 8b-11, with best production in zones 9-10
Sign up free to see if Honey Tangerine grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Honey Tangerine timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
1-2 yearsYoung grafted tree develops root system and initial canopy structure. Little to no fruit production.
Water regularly and deeply. Stake for support in windy areas. Remove any flowers for first 1-2 years to encourage root and canopy development.
Flowering
3-4 weeksFragrant white flowers appear in spring (February-April in warm regions). Heavy bloom indicates good fruit set potential.
Do not fertilize heavily during flowering as it can cause fruit drop. Ensure consistent watering. Avoid insecticide sprays that kill pollinators.
Fruit Development
4-6 monthsTiny green fruits develop and gradually enlarge through spring and summer. Fruit is still firm and green.
Thin fruit if excessive to improve size and quality (leave 4-6 inches between fruits). Maintain consistent watering and fertilize monthly with citrus fertilizer. Watch for pests.
Maturation & Ripening
2-3 monthsFruit transitions from green to orange, typically November-December in warm regions. Sugar content increases. Fruit remains on tree well.
Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to avoid splitting. Maintain steady water schedule. Monitor for late-season pests. Fruit can hang on tree for 2-3 months after ripening.
Harvest
2-3 monthsFruit reaches deep honey-orange color and is fragrant and sweet. Ready for harvest.
Harvest when fully colored and slightly soft to touch. Use pruning shears to avoid damaging branch. Can leave fruit on tree for 2-3 months after ripening for extended harvest.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Prune heavily infested branches; spray with horticultural oil in dormant season; introduce natural predators like parasitic wasps
-
Increase humidity; spray with water; use sulfur or miticide in severe cases; avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen
-
Monitor new growth; remove heavily infested leaves; apply sticky traps; use reflective mulch; beneficial parasitic wasps help control
-
Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators; avoid over-fertilizing
-
Critical pest—strict monitoring essential. Spray with horticultural oil or neem oil; remove affected leaves; yellow sticky traps; insecticide in severe cases
-
Remove infected branches/leaves and destroy. Sterilize tools between cuts. Avoid overhead watering. In severe cases, remove entire tree.
Uses
Fresh eating and juice
CulinaryHoney tangerines are excellent fresh eating fruits with naturally high sugar content and seedless segments. The juice is sweet and aromatic, making it ideal for fresh consumption or juice blending. [source]
Marmalade and preserves
CulinaryThe peel is aromatic and suitable for making marmalade, jams, and candied peel. The high pectin content helps preserve-making. [source]
Essential oil and fragrance
HouseholdThe peel contains fragrant essential oils that can be extracted or used for household cleaning, aromatherapy, and natural air freshening. [source]
Vitamin C source and immune support
MedicinalHoney tangerines are rich in vitamin C, supporting immune function and overall health. Contains beneficial flavonoids with antioxidant properties. [source]
Pollinator attraction
WildlifeFragrant flowers attract bees and other pollinators, supporting garden ecosystems and ensuring good fruit set. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when fruit reaches deep orange color and yields slightly to gentle pressure, typically November to February depending on location. Color development is the best indicator of ripeness, not size. Use hand pruners or shears to cleanly cut fruit from stem, leaving a small stub. Honey tangerines can hang on tree for 2-3 months after ripening, allowing for extended harvest window. Do not harvest in wet conditions. Handle fruit gently to avoid bruising.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Honey tangerines get their name from their distinctively sweet, honey-like flavor that develops as they mature on the tree.
- 🌱 This variety is nearly seedless due to parthenocarpy, making them ideal for commercial markets and convenient for fresh eating.
- 🌱 Honey tangerines are relatively cold-hardy for citrus and can tolerate brief freezes to 15-20°F (-9 to -6°C), though they prefer warmer zones.
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Honey Tangerine planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Honey Tangerine seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Honey Tangerine timeline →