How to grow Tangelo in New Zealand
Tangelo is a cross between a grapefruit and a tangerine, with juicy, sweet and slightly sharp red-orange fruit that peels more easily than an orange. It is grown like any other citrus: full sun, shelter, free-draining soil and regular feeding. In New Zealand it crops best in the warm north and in sheltered spots in Hawke's Bay, Gisborne and Nelson.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Tangelos in New Zealand
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | September to November | |
| Auckland | September to November | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | October and November | Plant after the frosts. Crops well on the Bay of Plenty coast; inland Waikato needs shelter. |
| Central North Island | Not suited | Too cold for tangelos to ripen. |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | October and November | Plant in spring in a sheltered spot. Crops best in Hawke's Bay and Gisborne. |
| Nelson & Marlborough | October and November | Plant after the frosts in a sunny, sheltered spot. |
| Canterbury | Not suited | Needs more summer heat and milder winters than Canterbury gives. |
| Otago & Southland | Not suited | Too cold for tangelos outdoors. |
| Central Otago | Not suited | Hard frosts rule out tangelos outdoors. |
Not to be confused with: Mandarin and orange, its close relatives. Tangelos are larger than most mandarins, often with a little neck at the stem end, and tarter.
Where to plant
Like other citrus, tangelos are frost tender and do best in a consistently sunny spot with good rainfall, sheltered from cold winds. Most citrus will not take temperatures below about minus 2°C. Plant in free-draining soil enriched with compost and sheep pellets; citrus dislike wet feet and having their roots disturbed.
- Northland, Auckland and the Bay of Plenty coast: the best districts. Plant in spring or autumn.
- Inland Waikato: plant after the frosts in the most sheltered spot, and use frost cloth on young trees.
- Wellington region: plant in spring in a sheltered spot. Tangelos crop best in Hawke's Bay and Gisborne.
- Nelson: plant after the frosts in a sunny, sheltered spot.
- Central North Island, Canterbury, Otago and Southland: too cold for tangelos to ripen outdoors.
Choosing a variety
- Seminole yields heavily, with large, slightly flattened, thin-skinned red-orange fruit that ripens from July to October. The flesh is juicy and sweet with a hint of sharpness.
- Minneola has bright orange-red fruit with a distinctive neck. It sets a heavier crop when another citrus, such as an early mandarin, flowers nearby.
- Always buy a grafted tree, which fruits sooner and on a rootstock suited to New Zealand soils.
How to plant
- Dig in compost and sheep pellets, then add a citrus mix to the planting area.
- Soak the tree in a seaweed tonic before planting.
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball, loosen the roots gently and set the tree at the same level it sat in the pot.
- Stake it at planting, as citrus dislike root disturbance once in the ground.
- Water well and mulch, keeping the mulch clear of the trunk.
Watering and feeding
Water well while the tree establishes, during long dry spells and while the fruit is developing. Citrus need more water in summer. Mulch to keep the roots cool and moist.
Citrus are hungry feeders that need plenty of potassium and magnesium. Feed with a citrus fertiliser in spring and summer. Yellowing between the leaf veins often means a magnesium shortage, corrected with Epsom salts spread around the drip line.
Pruning and care through the year
- Keep the area under the tree weed free and mulched.
- Remove shoots that come from the rootstock below the graft.
- Prune lightly after harvest only to shape the tree, open it to light and air, and remove dead or diseased wood.
- In marginal areas, cover young trees with frost cloth on cold nights.
Harvesting
Tangelos ripen over winter and spring. Pick when the fruit is fully coloured and tastes sweet; taste one first, as colour comes before full flavour. Snip the stems with secateurs rather than pulling, which can tear the skin.
Fruit holds on the tree for a while once ripe, but do not leave it too long or it dries out.
Growing in pots
A tangelo grows well in a large pot, at least 50 cm wide, filled with citrus and fruit mix, in a warm, sunny, sheltered spot. Potted trees can be moved under cover in winter in colder districts. Water regularly and feed through spring and summer.
Companion planting
Citrus have shallow feeder roots and dislike competition, so keep the root zone mulched and clear rather than planted.
Good companions
Pests and diseases
Citrus have few disease problems in New Zealand. Sap-sucking insects, borers and guava moth are the main pests, especially in warm areas.
Pests to watch for
- Lemon tree borer Small holes in branches with sawdust-like frass, and dying twigs.
- Guava moth Small entry holes in fruit and tunnels with caterpillar droppings, mainly in Northland and Auckland.
- Leaf miner Silvery, winding trails in young leaves, which curl and distort.
- Scale Small brown or white bumps on stems and leaves, often with black sooty mould.
- Aphids Clusters of small insects on soft new growth in spring.
Diseases to watch for
- Verrucosis Raised, corky, wart-like scabs on young leaves and fruit, worst in wet springs.
- Melanose Small, dark, sandpaper-like spots on leaves and fruit, often on old dead wood in the tree.
Common questions
What is a tangelo?
A citrus cross between a grapefruit and a tangerine, a type of mandarin. The fruit is juicy, sweet and a little sharp, and easier to peel than an orange.
When are tangelos ripe in New Zealand?
Over winter and spring. Seminole ripens from about July to October. Pick when the fruit is fully coloured and tastes sweet.
Can I grow a tangelo in Christchurch?
Not outdoors with much success, as Canterbury does not give enough summer heat and the frosts are too hard. A potted tree that spends winter under cover is the only real option.
Does a tangelo need a pollinator?
Minneola sets a heavier crop when another citrus, such as an early mandarin, flowers nearby, which is easy in a garden that already has other citrus. Check the label for other varieties.
Why are my tangelo leaves yellow?
Yellowing between the veins of older leaves is often magnesium deficiency, common in citrus. Spread Epsom salts around the drip line and feed with a citrus fertiliser in spring and summer. Wet, poorly drained soil also yellows citrus leaves.
Can I grow a tangelo in a pot?
Yes. Use a pot at least 50 cm wide with citrus mix, in full sun and shelter. Water regularly, feed in spring and summer, and move it under cover if frosts are likely.
Sources we checked: Tui: Citrus growing guide; Waimea Nurseries: How to grow citrus; Waimea Nurseries: Tangelo Seminole; Daleys Fruit Trees: Tangelo Minneola.