Citrus taiwanica, Taiwan sour orange, round yellow-orange fruit on a thorny evergreen tree.
Citrus taiwanica, Taiwan orange, sour fruit among winged green leaves.
Citrus taiwanica, Taiwan sour orange, round yellow-orange fruit on a thorny evergreen tree.
Citrus taiwanica, Taiwan orange, sour fruit among winged green leaves.
Pollinator Edible Fragrant Very Rare

Nanshodaidai (Taiwan Orange)

Citrus taiwanica

$32.00
1 Gallon USDA Zones 8–11 Full Sun Matures 15–18 Feet

Citrus taiwanica, the Taiwan orange, is one of the hardier evergreen citrus, bearing sour, ornamental fruit that makes a very good ade and an award-winning marmalade.

Pickup available at Aiken Nursery

Usually ready in 2-4 days

Healthy-arrival guarantee Free shipping over $150
Roots wrapped in moist soil and padded for safe transit
Grown and shipped from our nursery in Aiken, SC
Shipping later in the season? Schedule your delivery date in your cart.
The Full Story

Woodlanders has long led in offering citrus and citrus hybrids hardy well beyond the usual citrus belt, and Citrus taiwanica is one of the tougher evergreens of the group. A vigorous, upright, spreading, thorny tree, the Taiwan orange bears sour tangerine-to-orange fruit that is both ornamental and useful, the base of a very tasty ade. One of the hardier evergreen citrus, the tree sets good crops here in Aiken, South Carolina.

Native to Taiwan, this selection came to Woodlanders years ago from Major Collins of Tifton, Georgia, a pioneer in growing cold-hardy citrus, a nice thread of Southern citrus history. Grow the Taiwan orange in full sun and sharp, well-drained soil, in the ground through zones 8 to 11 or in a large container farther north, and site the tree back from paths and seating, since the thorns are formidable.

Photo courtesy of Dan Lepard
Will this plant thrive in your zone?

Plant Profile
At a glance
Hardiness
USDA Zones 8–11
Sun
Full Sun
Soil
Well-drained
Mature size
Height 15–18 Feet · Spread 8–10 Feet
Growth rate
Moderate
Seasonality
Evergreen
Design Notes

A tough, hardy evergreen citrus for the collector and the adventurous Southern grower, grown for ornamental sour fruit and marmalade rather than fresh eating. Vigorous, upright, and heavily thorned, the Taiwan orange wants full sun, sharp drainage, and room to grow; site the tree well back from paths and seating, since the thorns mean business. Grow in the ground through zones 8 to 11 or in a large container farther north, and pair with other hardy citrus in an edible or heritage planting.

Flower, Fruit & Foliage

Fragrant white flowers

Flowers
The familiar citrus blossom, small, white, waxy, and sweetly fragrant through spring, set among the thorns.

Fruit
Where the interest lies. Medium to large and round, ripening from green to a bright lemon-yellow and on toward orange, the rind thick and pebbled and studded with sunken oil glands. The flesh is juicy and frankly sour, acid with a bitter finish, nobody's idea of fresh eating. Put to proper use, the fruit makes a fine lemon substitute, the base of a very good ade, and a marmalade good enough to have twice taken honors at the World Marmalade Awards, which is more than most oranges can say.

Foliage
Evergreen and vigorous, the long slender leaves a light green on strongly winged stalks that smell of bitter orange when bruised. The habit is upright and spreading and armed with thorns of real conviction, so site the tree where you will not brush past in shirtsleeves.

Care

Read our full care guide

Light. Full sun; at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day.

Soil. Rich, sharply drained sandy loam or a quality citrus mix; avoid heavy, wet clay.

Water. Keep evenly moist but never waterlogged, letting the top inch dry between waterings; ease off in winter.

Pruning. Prune in late winter to shape and to clear dead or crossing wood; mind the thorns, and remove rootstock suckers.

Harvest. Fruit ripens in the cool season; too sour for fresh eating, but fine for ade and marmalade.

Hardiness. USDA zones 8 to 11; one of the hardier evergreen citrus, with container culture farther north.

Here’s a closer look at how we produce our plants

From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.

Woodlanders Growing Process

Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.

Sustainable Growing Practices

Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.

Supporting Local Biodiversity

Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.

At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.
Grown in Aiken, South Carolina
At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.

All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.

Learn more about Woodlanders
Healthy plants, ready to thrive
Success, made simple
Healthy plants, ready to thrive

Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.

Read the care guide
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Frequently Asked Questions
What to expect upon delivery

All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.

Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?

Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?

We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?

At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.

Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.