2 named cultivars

fruit vegetable

Blood Orange

Citrus sinensis

$46.95

The Story

Plant Bio

Citrus sinensis, the sweet orange, is a broadleaf evergreen tree of hybrid origin, eight to thirty feet where frost allows. Glossy aromatic ovate leaves up to four inches long clothe a rounded crown, fragrant white star-shaped flowers open in spring, and the familiar fruit ripens through winter.

Orange fruit needs cool nights to develop its colour — in genuinely tropical climates the same sweet ripe fruit stays green, which is why supermarket oranges are sometimes degreened artificially. Fruit also holds on the tree for months once ripe, so it can be picked as needed rather than harvested all at once.

Uses & Benefits:

Glossy evergreen foliage, intensely fragrant spring blossom and bright fruit through winter.

A productive container fruit tree even in cold regions, given a bright frost-free winter position.

Bees work the fragrant flowers heavily wherever it is grown outdoors.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Fruit Vegetable

Height

228 inches

Width

138 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Hybrid of Asian origin

Toxicity

Fruit edible; foliage not eaten

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Fast Growing Trees

In Stock$46.95

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Planting

How to Grow

Grow it in a container north of zone 9.
Give it full sun and free-draining citrus compost.
Water thoroughly, then let the surface dry.
Cut watering right back through winter.
Feed with a citrus fertiliser in the growing season.
Leave ripe fruit on the tree and pick as needed.

Pro Tip

Ripe fruit holds on the tree for months, so pick as you need it rather than harvesting the whole crop at once.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Give it the sunniest position 🍊
Use free-draining citrus compost 🌱
Cut watering back in winter ❄️
Feed with citrus fertiliser 🧪

Don't

Keep the compost wet in winter ❌
Move it suddenly between temperatures ❌
Assume green fruit is unripe ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Feed
Reduce Water

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Container fruit tree for a patio or conservatoryEdible garden tree in frost-free regionsFragrant flowering evergreen near a seating area

Companion Plants

Lemon Olive Rosemary Bay Laurel Lavender

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Blood Orange questions

What zones can Blood Orange grow in?

Blood Orange is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Blood Orange deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Blood Orange, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Blood Orange bloom?

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

Does Blood Orange need full sun?

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

Is Blood Orange drought tolerant?

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