Cold hardy citrus plants are a wonderful option for those not in tropical or subtropical climates. These cold-tolerant citrus varieties offer a unique blend of flavors, ornamental charm, and versatility in both culinary and decorative applications.
In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the benefits and characteristics of notable hardy citrus trees, exploring their cold tolerance levels, distinct culinary uses, and aesthetic appeal. Additionally, we highlight the regions across the United States where these hardy citrus trees thrive, offer insights into potential cultivation challenges, and provide recommendations for nurseries and citrus growers’ associations, towards helping you find the best cold hardy citrus plants for you.
Cold Hardy Citrus Plants
Calamondin Orange (Citrus × microcarpa)
Grown in southern Florida and other subtropical regions with warm winters, the Calamondin Orange is a mandarin-kumquat hybrid plant.
- Tolerance to Low Temperatures: Calamondin orange trees are sensitive to cold and are best suited for USDA hardiness zones 9-11, where temperatures rarely drop below freezing.
- Flavors and Culinary Uses: Calamondin oranges are small, sour fruits. They are commonly used in Filipino and Southeast Asian cuisine for their tart flavor and are used in beverages, sauces, and as a condiment.
- Seeds: Typically contains seeds.
- Ornamental Value: Calamondin trees are popular as ornamental houseplants or patio plants due to their small size, fragrant white flowers, and small, bright orange fruits.
Changsha Tangerine (Citrus reticulata ‘Changsha’)
Suitable for cultivation in the Gulf Coast region and other parts of the southern United States with relatively mild winters.
- Tolerance to Low Temperatures: Changsha tangerines are cold-hardy and can withstand temperatures down to approximately 10°F (-12°C). They are suitable for USDA hardiness zones 8-11.
- Flavors and Culinary Uses: Changsha tangerines have a sweet and tangy flavor. They are eaten fresh or used in cooking, similar to other tangerine varieties.
- Seeds: Contains seeds, though the number can vary.
- Ornamental Value: These trees have dark green leaves and produce small, bright orange fruits. They are valued for their ornamental appeal and fruit production.
Clementine (Trifoliate x Clementine)
The Clementine hybrid is a cross between the Trifoliate Orange (Poncirus trifoliata) and (Citrus × clementina), the traditional clementine, aiming to combine cold-hardiness with sweet flavor.
- Tolerance to Low Temperatures: This hybrid can tolerate temperatures down to about 20°F (-6°C). It’s suitable for USDA hardiness zones 9-11.
- Flavors and Culinary Uses: The fruit is sweet and juicy, similar to traditional clementines, and is excellent for fresh consumption.
- Seeds: Generally seedless, especially when isolated from other citrus trees.
- Ornamental Value: The tree has glossy green leaves and produces bright orange fruits, adding to its ornamental appeal.
See our article on Trifoliate Orange Cold Hardy Citrus).
Dallas Dunstan (Poncirus trifoliata x Citrus sinensis)
Dallas Dunstan is a type of citrange, a hybrid between the trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata), and a sweet orange or tangerine, (Citrus sinensis)
- Tolerance to Low Temperatures: Dallas Dunstan can withstand temperatures down to 15°F (-9°C). Suitable for USDA hardiness zones 8b-11.
- Flavors and Culinary Uses: The fruit is more tart than sweet oranges but can be used in marmalades or juiced.
- Seeds: Contains a number of seeds but not as much as the Poncirus trifoliata.
- Ornamental Value: The tree has a robust growth habit with dark green leaves and produces medium-sized orange fruits.
Dragon Lime (Poncirus trifoliata var. monstrosa)
Dragon Lime is a lesser-known citrus variety, but it’s believed to have good cold-hardiness and is a cross between Flying Dragon (Poncirus trifoliata) and an unknown citrus.
- Tolerance to Low Temperatures: Information on exact temperature tolerance is limited, but it’s likely suitable for USDA hardiness zones 8b-11.
- Flavors and Culinary Uses: The fruit is tart, similar to traditional limes, and can be used in beverages, cooking, or baking, but considered to be 50% better than the hardy orange, Poncirus trifoliata.
- Seeds: Contains seeds but not as much as it’s parent, Poncirus trifoliata.
- Ornamental Value: The tree has a compact growth habit with glossy green leaves and produces small green to yellow fruits.
ORIGIN of Dragon Lime:
“George McAfee, Houston got his plant from Buddingman at the Nafex show in Houston Tx many years ago. He named it Dragon Lime. The original tree was a seedling at Treesearch farm, Houston Tx. It was found in a group of Flying Dragon seedlings, thus the female parent was a Poncirus. The fruit is the size of a small orange.”
~HardyCitrus.blogspot[1]http://hardycitrus.blogspot.com/2013/12/dragon-lime.html
Glen Citrangedin (Citroncirus x Citrangedin)
Glen Citrangedin is a hybrid citrus variety known for its cold-hardiness.[3]https://citrusvariety.ucr.edu/crc3573
- Tolerance to Low Temperatures: It can tolerate temperatures down to about 15°F (-9°C). Suitable for USDA hardiness zones 8b-11.
- Flavors and Culinary Uses: The fruit is tart and can be used in marmalades or as a flavoring agent.
- Seeds: Contains an average amount of average sized seeds.
- Ornamental Value: The tree has a robust growth habit with dark green leaves and produces medium-sized fruits.