Do I need to hand pollinate?

If your tree is indoors, gently shaking the branches or using a small brush to move pollen between flowers helps fruit set.

Should I fertilize to get flowers?

Use a citrus specific fertilizer during the growing season to provide the nutrients needed for flower production.

Mandarin orange: not flowering, causes and fixes

Check these first

Measure the hours of direct sunlight the tree receives.
Check if the tree is getting a winter rest period.
Verify the fertilizer has enough phosphorus for blooms.

Likely causes

Insufficient Light
Most likely
How to tell: The tree looks leggy with large gaps between leaves and produces only dark green foliage.
What to do: Move the tree to the sunniest window in your home or provide a high output grow light. It needs at least 8 hours of direct sun daily.
Lack of Dormancy
Most likely
How to tell: The tree stays in a warm room all year without a rest period.
What to do: Keep the tree in a cooler room around 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months. This rest period is essential for bud development.

Other plants that won't flower

Find out what's wrong with your mandarin orange

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

Young trees often take 3 to 5 years to reach maturity and flower, so patience is key for new plants.

Stopping it coming back

Provide consistent, high intensity light and a cooler winter environment to encourage annual blooms.

Mandarin orange: not flowering? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your mandarin orange and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Do I need to hand pollinate?: If your tree is indoors, gently shaking the branches or using a small brush to move pollen between flowers helps fruit set.
Should I fertilize to get flowers?: Use a citrus specific fertilizer during the growing season to provide the nutrients needed for flower production.

Why is my mandarin orange tree not flowering?