Yuzu
Citrus junos
fruitYuzu (Citrus junos) is among the most cold-hardy of all true citrus, a thorny evergreen tree bearing small, lumpy, bright-yellow fruit with an intensely aromatic rind and very sour, seedy juice. It is treasured in Japanese and Korean cooking, where the fragrant zest and tart juice flavor sauces, ponzu, marmalade, hot baths, and drinks rather than being eaten out of hand. Its hardiness, tolerating roughly 10 to 15 F once established, lets gardeners grow citrus in climates far too cold for sweet oranges.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 7 days
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Harvest
~3 yrs
to first harvest
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Difficulty
medium
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Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
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Spacing
8-12 ft apart
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Planting Depth
Set at the same depth as the nursery container, keeping the graft union several inches above the soil line
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Soil pH
5.8-6.5
Growing Details
Soil Type
Rich, well-drained, slightly acidic
Hardiness Zones
Zones 8 – 10
When to Fertilize
Feed in late winter, late spring, and summer
Fertilizer
Citrus fertilizer with micronutrients
🌱 Growing Guide
Plant yuzu in full sun in rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Grafted onto trifoliate orange rootstock it is hardy in about zones 8 to 10 and fruits within a few years, whereas seed-grown trees can take a decade. In zone 7 and colder, grow it in a container and shelter it from hard freezes. Water regularly with good drainage and feed as for citrus. It is thorny, so site it where the spines are not a hazard. Cold tolerance is its great strength, but the fruit still needs a long warm season to ripen.
Planting Calendar
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Direct sow
Apr 15
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Projected first harvest
Sep 12 · Year 4
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
Year 1
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Comfrey: A nutrient accumulator for a mineral-rich mulch under the tree
- Marigold: Suppresses nematodes and draws beneficial insects
- Chives: Alliums near the trunk help deter aphids
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts. Tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Mines new leaves; protect tender flushes and avoid excess soft growth
On new shoots; rinse off and conserve natural enemies
Stipple leaves in hot, dry spells; rinse foliage and raise humidity
🌾 Harvest & storage
Harvest yuzu in late fall as the fruit turns fully yellow and fragrant; it is used for its zest and sour juice rather than eaten fresh. Pick before hard frost. The aromatic rind can be grated or dried, and the juice keeps well frozen for use through the year.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Yuzu is very high in vitamin C and rich in aromatic oils. It is valued as a flavoring, not a fresh fruit, lending fragrant zest and tart juice to sauces, drinks, marmalade, and seasonings.
For educational and informational purposes only. HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.