Orange Tree
Citrus sinensis
An evergreen tree featuring glossy, dark green alternate leaves with winged petioles, fragrant white blossoms, and rounded globose specialty botanical structures known as hesperidia that transition from green to vibrant orange as they mature.
- Light
- Full sun, requiring 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily
- Water
- Water deeply and regularly, allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Reduce frequency during cooler winter months. Avoid waterlogged conditions.
- Growth
- Perennial evergreen tree featuring a rounded canopy, growing to a mature height of 15 to 30 feet with a moderate growth rate
Care instructions
Provide full sun exposure for at least six to eight hours daily. Water deeply when the top few inches of soil become dry, ensuring excellent drainage to prevent root rot. Apply a balanced citrus fertilizer during the growing season and maintain consistently warm temperatures.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, requiring 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily
Watering
Water deeply and regularly, allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Reduce frequency during cooler winter months. Avoid waterlogged conditions.
Soil
Well-draining sandy loam or loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 6.0 to 7.0
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 9 through 11, sensitive to frost and freezing temperatures
Growth habit
Perennial evergreen tree featuring a rounded canopy, growing to a mature height of 15 to 30 feet with a moderate growth rate
Bloom season
Spring, producing clusters of highly fragrant, small, white five-petaled flowers
Propagation
Propagated primarily through grafting desired cultivars onto robust rootstocks, or occasionally via seed and stem cuttings
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites, citrus leaf miners, and fungal diseases such as root rot and greasy spot caused by overwatering or poor air circulation
Similar species
Lemon (Citrus limon) and Grapefruit (Citrus x paradisi), which can be distinguished by differences in leaf shape, petiole wing size, flower characteristics, and fruit morphology