Wholesale citrus

Kinnow mandarin

Citrus reticulata ‘Kinnow’

A very sweet late mandarin prized for its strong classic flavor, with seediness influenced by nearby citrus pollen.

EdibleVery sweetLate harvestMandarin

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Landscape layersLower canopy

Mature size

Usually 10–20 ft tall and wide; rootstock and pruning change final size

Climate fit

Urban core · USDA 9b–10a · Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b · Desert outskirts · USDA 8b–9b

Special categories

EDIBLE

Winter chill

None

Typical harvest

January into late winter

Before you plant

These conditions determine whether it will thrive.

Required microclimate

Placement is part of the growing system.

Zone B — sun morning and afternoon on the open south-facing side. Tough enough for full exposure and more productive for the extra hours.

Cold hardiness

Cover while young

Rated cold-resistant, like most mandarins, with wood holding into the low 20s. Its fruit ripens in January, so cover the tree on nights forecast below 28°F to protect the crop. Cover young trees their first two or three winters.

Leaves and wood: damaged below 22°F · Blossoms and fruit: below 26°F

Heat tolerance

Shade from late-afternoon sun

A long-time Phoenix favorite that grows well in the heat. It bears heavily every other year, and a full canopy keeps the fruit from sunburning.

Sources:

citrusvariety.ucr.edu , extension.arizona.edu , ucanr.edu

Right plant, right place

Will Kinnow mandarin grow at your Arizona property?

Plant in fast-draining soil with the graft union above grade. Keep mulch away from the trunk and avoid lawn irrigation at the root crown.

Best regional fit: Urban core · USDA 9b–10a, Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b, Desert outskirts · USDA 8b–9b.

Light

Sun exposure

Full sun; young trunks and exposed scaffold limbs need sunburn protection

Water

Irrigation

Deep, regular irrigation with drying between cycles; expand the wetted zone as the canopy grows

Fruit set

Pollination

Self-compatible; cross-pollination may increase seeds

Harvest

How to use it

Fresh eating and beverages

Planting & stewardship

How to help Kinnow mandarin thrive

1
Verify both the named cultivar and rootstock on the nursery tag before planting.
2
Whitewash newly exposed bark and protect cold-sensitive trees during hard freezes.
3
Feed in several light applications during the active season rather than one heavy dose.
4
Let fruit color and flavor—not a calendar date alone—confirm harvest readiness.

Read the horticultural reference ↗