Species

Citrus sinensisBlood Orange

2 other cultivars

tree

Sweet Orange

Citrus sinensis 'Washington Navel'

The Story

Plant Bio

Citrus sinensis is an evergreen, broadleaf tree native to subtropical Asia, characterized by a dense, rounded canopy and aromatic, glossy dark green foliage. The species produces clusters of highly fragrant, creamy white flowers in spring, followed by sweet, orange-skinned hesperidium fruits.

'Washington Navel' is a seedless cultivar distinguished by a secondary, undeveloped fruit at the apex that resembles a human navel. It produces large, sweet, easily peeled fruits that ripen over winter, requiring warm days and cool nights to develop optimal sugar content and deep orange coloration.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides year-round structure with glossy evergreen foliage, fragrant spring blossoms, and bright orange winter fruit.

Produces heavy crops of large, seedless, sweet oranges that peel easily and store well on the branch.

Fragrant spring flowers supply abundant nectar for native bees and other insect pollinators.

SpeciesCitrus sinensisBlood Orange

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Tree

Height

157"

Width

157"

Light

Full Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Medium

Humidity

Medium

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Subtropical Asia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring

In flower about 3 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with deep, fertile, sandy loam that drains rapidly.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, ensuring the graft union sits well above the final soil line.
Water deeply at planting, then establish a regular schedule to keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged.
Apply a specialized citrus fertilizer containing nitrogen, iron, and micronutrients every four to six weeks from spring through summer.

Pro Tip

Never bury the graft union when planting, as deep planting traps moisture against the bark and invites fatal phytophthora collar rot.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Water consistently while the fruit is sizing to prevent fruit drop and splitting.
Protect young trees and tender new growth from freezing temperatures below twenty-eight degrees Fahrenheit.
Prune immediately after harvest to remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches.

Don't

Do not cut hard into old, leafless brown wood, as citrus fails to sprout adventitiously from bare timber.
Do not plant in heavy, poorly drained, or waterlogged soils.
Do not plant a cross-pollinator nearby, as this cultivar is entirely self-fertile and seedless.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Harvest
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Specimen fruit treeEspalier against a warm south-facing wallLarge container plant for patios

Companion Plants

Osmanthus fragrans Rosmarinus officinalis Lavandula angustifolia

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Sweet Orange questions

What zones can Sweet Orange grow in?

Sweet Orange is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Sweet Orange bloom?

Sweet Orange typically blooms in spring through spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Sweet Orange need full sun?

Sweet Orange does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Sweet Orange drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Sweet Orange handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.