How to grow Yuzu

Citrus ichangensis × Citrus reticulata var. austera

Full Sun
OR
Partial Sun
Medium

Loves light. In the US, seems to be happiest in spring and autumn (warm days, cool nights); otherwise a bit more rugged than other citrus, and can handle a bit of benign neglect well. Can be a little sluggish in extreme heat. Needs good drainage. Leaves have the wide petiole typical of other papeda-type citrus (sudachi, kaffir limes, shangjuan), and the leaves – when rubbed – have a sweet/spicy fragrance similar to a mix of lime and grapefruit. Can be very thorny, so handle with care.

Growing Yuzu from seed

Clip the extreme tip of seed, carefully so as to not damage the embryo. Fresh seed will sprout reliably, dried seed has lower germination rates.

Transplanting Yuzu

Seedlings are frost sensitive; mature plants have a great deal of frost hardiness – yuzu is a wild hybrid (ichang papeda and mandarin) in its’ ancestry, so individual plants do have a range of hardiness or sensitivity, so be aware of your own individual microclimates.

Yuzu is hardy, so ensure you wait until all danger of frost has passed in your area before considering planting outside.

How long does Yuzu take to grow?

These estimates for how long Yuzu takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Yuzu to germinate?: 25 days
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Days to Maturity How long until Yuzu is ready for harvest / bloom?: + days
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Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Yuzu?: = days

Yuzu Folklore & Trivia

Native to China, though most widely cultivated in Japan and Korea. Fruit is very unique: similar in appearance to a large, yellow mandarin, with a heavy, rugged rind. The rind is pitted with very prominent oil glands, and the fruit is very fragrant, with a spicy, grapefruit/lime fragrance.

The peel comes off very easily, and the fruit is very, very juicy, though also extremely seedy; the membranes are slippery with citrus oil. The flavor is a bit like a mild lemon, with a slight touch of grapefruit bitterness, and a very pungent spicy lime smell.

The flavor is complex, and a little funky (in a good way); it is used in a number of ways – sushi condiments, salad dressings, sorbets, soft drinks, cocktails; a Korean honey/yuzu marmalade has gained some renown. Due to the very complex flavor, it can be a challenge to use yuzu as an ingredient, though the flavor is also unforgettable.

Other names for Yuzu

Yuzu lemon

Citrus junos