Murcott Tangerine (Citrus reticulata ‘Murcott’)
If you want a citrus tree that tastes like dessert, Murcott is one of the first names people bring up. Often sold as “Honey Tangerine,” Citrus reticulata ‘Murcott’ makes glossy, deep-orange fruit that peels easier than many oranges and rewards you with a rich, sweet flavor when it’s fully colored and ready.
Murcott shines in the cooler months: it’s typically considered a late mid-season citrus, so it’s the kind of tree that feels like a bright gift when much of the garden is slowing down. The fruit can range from “few” to “many” seeds depending on pollination conditions, nearby citrus, and the season—so it’s best to think of it as a sweet, home-orchard classic rather than a guaranteed seedless variety.
In Florida planting zone 9, Murcott can do well with full sun, steady watering during bloom and fruit fill, and a thick mulch ring to keep the root zone stable. Like all home citrus in Florida, it also benefits from a watchful eye for pests and disease so the tree stays vigorous year after year.
Any reference to medicinal or culinary use of plants or plant parts should in no way be considered an endorsement by The Ocala Food Forest or its staff. Research is crucial in safe and proper consumption or experimentational use of any plant.
Plant Information
| Scientific Name: | Citrus reticulata ‘Murcott’ (often marketed as “Honey Tangerine”) |
|---|---|
| Family Name: | Rutaceae (Citrus family) |
| Common Name(s): | Murcott Tangerine, Honey Tangerine (Murcott) |
| Size: | Typically 10–15 ft in home landscapes (larger if unpruned); can be maintained smaller with pruning |
| Plant Type: | Evergreen fruit tree |
| Origin/Geographic Distribution: | A cultivated mandarin-type citrus used widely in warm climates; common in Florida home citrus plantings |
| Native to: | Species lineage originates in Asia (mandarin citrus background); cultivar is a domesticated selection |
| Planted range in the USA: | Primarily Florida, California, and other warm regions where citrus can overwinter |
| Conservation Status: | Not applicable (cultivated variety) |
Cultivation
| Planting: | Plant in spring after the last frost risk; this gives roots time to establish before summer heat and storm season |
|---|---|
| Sun Exposure: | Full sun (best flowering and sweetness), tolerates light partial shade |
| Soil Type: | Well-drained soil with organic matter; avoid chronically soggy areas to reduce root disease risk |
| Soil pH: | 6.0 to 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral) |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate; consistent moisture is most important during bloom, fruit set, and fruit sizing |
| Fertilizer Requirements: | Moderate to high; use a citrus-appropriate fertilizer during the growing season and avoid overfeeding late in the year. |
| Pruning Requirements: | Light pruning to maintain shape, improve airflow, and keep fruit reachable; remove crossing or shaded interior limbs |
| Growth Rate: | Medium; faster with warmth, consistent water, and good fertility |
| Companion Planting: | Benefits from living mulches, pollinator plants, and nitrogen-fixers placed outside the trunk’s mulch ring |
Tolerance and Hardiness
| Drought Tolerance: | Moderate once established; drought stress reduces fruit size and sweetness—mulch and deep watering help |
|---|---|
| Frost Tolerance: | Low to moderate; protect young trees below 32°F (0°C). A hard freeze around 28°F (-2°C) for several hours can cause significant damage |
| Heat Tolerance: | Excellent; commonly tolerates up to about 100°F (38°C)+ with adequate irrigation and mulch |
| Wind Tolerance: | Moderate; fruit and branches benefit from a windbreak in exposed sites |
| Salt Tolerance: | Low to moderate; avoid direct salt spray and highly saline irrigation |
| USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: | 9–11 (best performance and reliability as a perennial citrus) |
Flower and Fruit Information
| Fruit Type: | Hesperidium (citrus fruit) |
|---|---|
| Harvest Time: | Late mid-season, typically January–March (varies by microclimate and season) |
| Fruit Description: | Sweet, “honeyed” flavor; orange, easy-to-peel mandarin-type fruit; seed count can range from few to many |
| Edible Plant: | Yes (fruit) |
| Edible Parts: | Fruit pulp/segments; zest (peel) is used culinary-wise with proper washing and handling |
| Medicinal: | Not a primary medicinal plant; valued mainly as a vitamin-rich fruit (traditional uses vary) |
| Flower Color: | White |
| Flower Shape: | Small, star-like citrus blossoms |
| Fragrance: | Fragrant, classic citrus blossom scent |
| Flower Bloom Time: | Spring (often March–April in Florida; timing varies by weather) |
| Bloom Duration: | Several weeks, with peak bloom influenced by temperature swings |
| Pollination: Self or Other? | Generally self-fruitful; bees increase pollination activity and can influence seed count when other citrus bloom nearby |
Wildlife
| Attracts: | Bees during bloom; ripe fruit can attract birds and other wildlife if left on the tree |
|---|---|
| Pollinators: | Bees and other beneficial insects visit flowers for nectar and pollen |
| Problematic Pest: | Common citrus pests include aphids, scale insects, mites, citrus leafminer, and Asian citrus psyllid (HLB vector). |
Health and Safety
| Toxic: | Generally considered non-toxic; citrus oils can irritate sensitive skin |
|---|---|
| Poisonous Parts of Plant: | None commonly recognized as poisonous, though peel oils and thorny growth (on some citrus) can cause irritation |
| Toxic to Humans: | Not toxic; wash fruit before zesting/using peel. Sap/peel oils may cause irritation for sensitive individuals |
| Toxic to Animals: | Not typically toxic; large amounts of citrus peel/fruit may cause stomach upset in pets |
| Plant Diseases to be aware of: | Huanglongbing (HLB/citrus greening), citrus canker, greasy spot, melanose, and root rots (often linked to poor drainage) |
Companion Planting
For Citrus reticulata ‘Murcott’ (Murcott Tangerine), the best companions support soil health, reduce weed pressure, attract beneficial insects, and help stabilize moisture—without crowding the trunk. Keep a clear mulch ring at the base, and plant companions outside that ring so the tree stays healthy and well-aerated.
Florida Native: Sunshine Mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa)
Zone Range: 8–11
Benefits: Low living mulch; nitrogen-fixing groundcover that helps feed soil biology.
Use: Let it carpet sunny orchard edges and pathways; keep it out of the trunk’s mulch ring.
Florida Native: Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora)
Zone Range: 7–11
Benefits: Pollinator-friendly groundcover that helps suppress weeds and reduce soil splash.
Use: Great for aisleways and sunny borders near citrus plantings.
Florida Native: Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
Zone Range: 6–10
Benefits: Increases biodiversity and beneficial insect habitat; adds wildlife value.
Use: Plant on the orchard perimeter where it won’t shade the citrus canopy too heavily.
Florida Friendly: Perennial Peanut (Arachis glabrata)
Zone Range: 8–11
Benefits: Nitrogen-fixing, mowable living mulch; excellent weed suppression once established.
Use: Use as a tidy groundcover “lawn” around orchard trees (keep clear at the trunk).
Florida Friendly: Pentas (Pentas lanceolata)
Zone Range: 9–11 (often grown as a warm-season annual in cooler areas)
Benefits: Long-blooming nectar source that keeps pollinators and beneficial insects active.
Use: Plant in clusters near citrus (not under the trunk) to bring in bees during bloom seasons.
Florida Friendly: Dill (Anethum graveolens)
Zone Range: Grown as a cool-season annual in Florida
Benefits: Umbel flowers support beneficial insects (tiny wasps, hoverflies) that help balance pests.
Use: Sow around the orchard edge in fall/winter to build beneficial insect populations.
Maintain a wide mulch ring at the trunk and avoid planting dense companions right against the bark. Group companions by irrigation needs, prioritize airflow, and keep the canopy pruned enough that light and breeze can move through—this helps reduce fungal pressure and keeps fruiting wood productive.
Sources & References
Reference list used for general horticultural guidance and Florida-relevant best practices (not medical advice):
- UF/IFAS EDIS — Dooryard Fruit Varieties (MG248) — harvest window guidance (Murcott listed as Jan–Mar) and Florida homeowner considerations (including HLB note).
- UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions — Citrus (Home Landscape) — general care basics for home citrus: planting, watering, pruning, and maintenance.
- UF/IFAS CREC — Citrus Greening (HLB) — Florida-focused disease overview and current management realities.
- UF/IFAS Extension (Washington County) — Citrus and Cold Weather — practical freeze-protection guidance (young-tree protection and hard-freeze risk thresholds).
- Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program — water-wise, sustainable landscape practices suitable for Florida yards.
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — zone reference framework for planting suitability.