Posted by Brite Leaf Citrus Nursery
If you’ve searched anything like “citrus greening Florida,” “can I still grow citrus trees,” or “is HLB curable,” you’ve probably landed on a lot of alarming headlines and not many straight answers. We get it — we’ve been growing citrus since 1998, and HLB (Huanglongbing, also known as citrus greening) has reshaped how everyone grows citrus, from backyard gardeners to commercial groves.
The good news: growing healthy, fruiting citrus is still very possible. It just means understanding the disease, knowing what to watch for, and — increasingly — choosing varieties bred with disease tolerance. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is Citrus Greening, exactly?
Citrus Greening is a bacterial disease that affects the vascular system of citrus trees — specifically the phloem, the tissue responsible for moving sugar and nutrients through the plant. Once a tree is infected, that nutrient flow becomes restricted, and the tree’s roots begin to decline even before any symptoms show up in the leaves. There is currently no cure.
The disease spreads almost entirely through a tiny insect called the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), which picks up the bacteria from an infected tree and carries it to healthy ones as it feeds. It’s genuinely hard to control — a single female psyllid can lay hundreds of eggs in her lifetime, and the insect can fly over a mile or hitch a ride on the wind.
How to Recognize It
A few symptoms worth knowing if you’re growing citrus:
- Blotchy, asymmetrical mottling on leaves — this is the most telling sign. If the pattern doesn’t match on both sides of the leaf’s midvein, that’s a red flag (a nutrient deficiency, by contrast, usually mottles both sides the same way).
- Lopsided or misshapen fruit that stays partially green even when ripe.
- Yellow staining or a curved core inside the fruit.
- Twig dieback, thinning canopy, and fruit drop as the tree’s overall health declines.
If you’re not sure what you’re looking at, do an internet search for pictures of fruit and leaves showing signs of infection.
Can Infected Trees Be Saved?
Not currently. Fertilizing and watering can extend a struggling tree’s life, but they won’t restore productivity or reverse the decline, and antibiotics aren’t approved for homeowner use. Realistically, an infected tree will keep declining. One reassuring note: fruit from an infected tree is safe to eat.
The Real Solution: Plant Smarter
Since there’s no cure once a tree is infected, the most effective strategy for growers — whether you’re planting one backyard tree or several acres — is prevention and variety selection:
- Buy only from a certified nursery. Legally, all citrus nurseries are required to be inspected regularly and sell clean, tagged stock. Never buy a citrus tree without a nursery tag, and don’t hesitate to ask how long the tree has been at the point of sale and whether it’s been treated for psyllids.
- Manage psyllids proactively, especially during spring and fall flush periods when populations peak. No treatment eliminates ACP completely, but consistent management meaningfully reduces your tree’s exposure.
- Choose HLB-tolerant varieties. This is the biggest shift in Florida citrus over the past decade. University of Florida & USDA breeders have released a growing number of varieties — oranges, mandarins, lemons, and specialty limes — that are bred and field-tested to keep growing and fruiting even under real disease pressure, instead of declining quickly the way many oldline varieties often do.
That third point is where we can help directly.
HLB-Tolerant Citrus Varieties Grown at Brite Leaf
We currently grow and sell 18 different HLB-tolerant selections, including UF/IFAS-developed releases like SugarBelle® and ‘Gator Bites’ mandarin, OLL 4, and specialty finger limes like UF RedLime and UF SunLime. We also grow USDA tolerant releases like Donaldson and Sun Dragon. For more on what causes HLB and how it affects citrus trees, see our FAQ, What is Citrus Greening/HLB? For details on each tolerant variety we grow — including harvest windows and, where available, cold hardiness — browse our HLB Tolerant citrus category page.
Once your tree is in the ground, check our Care Guides for planting and maintenance tips.
Quick FAQ
Is HLB-tolerant the same as HLB-resistant?
No! No citrus variety available to homeowners today is fully immune. Tolerant varieties can still become infected — they’re simply bred to keep producing a usable crop despite it, rather than declining rapidly.
Where can I plant HLB-tolerant citrus?
Brite Leaf’s tolerant varieties are well suited to outdoor planting across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, where HLB/greening pressure is highest.
Do you ship citrus trees out of state?
We ship to most states, with a few regulated exceptions. See our Shipping page for the full list and any seasonal restrictions.
How do I know which variety is right for me?
It depends on your climate, available space, and whether you’re planting for personal use or commercial production. Our product pages list mature size, harvest timing, and cold hardiness for each variety — or reach out and we’re happy to point you in the right direction. https://briteleaf.com/contact/
Sources: UF/IFAS Extension, “Frequently Asked Questions About Huanglongbing (HLB; Citrus Greening) for Homeowners,” Publication PP326, edis.ifas.ufl.edu.