Deeply water established trees to wet soil 2–3 feet deep, then let the upper several inches dry before watering again. Water more frequently during extreme heat and establishment, and less often in winter; avoid constantly wet soil.
Size
8-12 ft tall × 8-12 ft wide
Habit
Upright tree – single-trunk
Toxicity
Toxic — Pets & Humans
Description
Typically a multi-grafted citrus tree bearing several fruit varieties on one rootstock. Cocktail citrus is a nursery label, not a single species; Citrus sinensis identifies only its sweet-orange component, if present.
Bloom Time
Spring
Deciduous / Evergreen
Evergreen
Special Features
Edible, Fragrant
Growth Rate
Moderate
Growth Habit
Upright tree – single-trunk
Mature Size
8-12 ft tall × 8-12 ft wide
Flower Color
White
Foliage Color
Dark green
Landscape Use
Container / Patio, Edible / Orchard
Garden Style
Edible Garden
Soil
Alkaline Tolerant, Sandy / Rocky, Well-Drained
Companion Plants
Calendula, Dill, Sweet alyssum
Toxic — Pets & Humans
Toxic to pets (citrus oils, mild GI upset); fruit edible for humans
Care Instructions
Light: Full sun, ideally 6–8 hours daily. In Phoenix, protect young trees from intense western afternoon sun.
Water: Deeply water established trees to wet soil 2–3 feet deep, then let the upper several inches dry before watering again. Water more frequently during extreme heat and establishment, and less often in winter; avoid constantly wet soil.
Soil: Well-drained sandy loam preferred. Tolerates alkaline soil but may develop nutrient deficiencies. Keep the root flare above grade and mulch away from the trunk.
Mature size: Usually 10–20 feet tall and 8–15 feet wide, depending on rootstock and varieties; dwarf-rootstock trees remain smaller.
Bloom: Primarily late winter through spring in Phoenix; lemon or lime grafts may bloom intermittently in other seasons.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.
Growth rate: Moderate; varies with rootstock, grafted varieties, and growing conditions.