How to Grow Blood Orange Tarocco

Blood Orange Tarocco

Citrus × sinensis 'Tarocco'

tree

The Tarocco is a premium blood orange variety prized for its deep crimson-red flesh, rich sweet flavor, and low seed content. This evergreen citrus tree produces medium to large fruits with distinctive ruby-red juice and a complex, slightly tart-sweet taste. It is considered one of the finest blood orange cultivars for both fresh eating and juice production.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 8+ hours daily; more sun exposure intensifies red pigmentation in fruit

💧

Water: Deep, regular watering during growing season (spring-summer); reduce in winter. Requires consistent moisture but not waterlogged conditions. Drought-tolerant once established but performs best with 1-1.5 inches weekly.

📏

Spacing: 240 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 720-1080

🌱

Planting depth: Same depth as root ball; graft union 6-12 inches above soil surface

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with good organic content

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost or aged manure Citrus fertilizer (higher potassium) Sulfur if pH is too high Peat moss for moisture retention

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 9-11; can survive in protected microclimates of zone 8b but fruits best in warmer regions

8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

Growth Stages

Establishment

1-2 years

Young tree developing root system and canopy structure; minimal fruiting expected

Water deeply and regularly; stake if needed for wind protection; fertilize monthly during growing season; prune to establish central leader; protect from freeze if in zone 8b

Young Fruiting

2-3 years

Tree begins producing small amounts of fruit; canopy fills in and becomes more robust

Remove excessive fruit to redirect energy into tree development; continue regular watering; apply 2-4 inches of mulch; begin foliar feeding with citrus micronutrients

Full Flowering

4-8 weeks

Mature tree produces abundant white fragrant blossoms in spring (Feb-Apr in Northern Hemisphere), followed by heavy fruit set

Provide supplemental potassium and phosphorus to support flower and fruit development; ensure consistent watering; thin fruit to 6-8 inches apart for larger blood oranges; monitor for pests during blooms

Fruit Development & Maturation

8-10 months

Green fruits develop over 8-10 months; color develops from green to orange to deep red/crimson; sugar content increases as fruit matures

Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to avoid excessive vegetative growth; maintain consistent watering for even fruit size; the red pigmentation develops best in cooler nights (50-60°F); thin canopy to allow light penetration to developing fruit

Harvest & Dormancy

3-4 months

Fruits reach peak ripeness (Nov-Mar in Northern Hemisphere); red color fully develops; tree enters dormant period with minimal growth

Harvest when fruit reaches full color and slight softness indicates sugar development; refrigerate to extend shelf life; reduce watering and fertilizing in winter; prune out dead or crossing branches; protect from hard freezes

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Lemon trees Lime trees Orange trees Grapefruit trees Tangerine trees Borage Marigolds Nasturtiums Sweet alyssum

Avoid planting near:

Walnut trees (allelopathic compounds inhibit citrus growth) Fennel (allelopathic to most plants) Dill (can attract pests harmful to citrus) Tomatoes (compete for nutrients, similar pest/disease issues)

Common Pests

Monitor for serpentine leaf damage on young growth; prune affected leaves; apply neem oil or spinosad if severe; avoid excessive nitrogen which promotes tender new growth
Spray with horticultural oil during dormant season; use insecticidal soap on crawler stage; release parasitic wasps for biological control
Scout for yellow mottling on leaves; spray with neem oil or pyrethrin; remove infested growth; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizing
Spray with 70% isopropyl alcohol solution; apply neem oil; release Cryptolaemus predatory beetles; maintain tree vigor
Increase humidity with regular misting; spray with water to dislodge; apply sulfur dust; use predatory mites in severe cases
Prune out infected branches; avoid overhead watering; apply copper fungicide in spring and fall; sterilize pruning tools; improve air circulation

Uses

🍳

Fresh juice and distinctive cocktails

Culinary

Tarocco blood oranges produce stunning crimson juice with a complex flavor profile—sweet with subtle tart and raspberry notes. The striking color and rich taste make these superior for artisanal juices, cocktails, and culinary presentations. [source]

🍳

Gourmet fresh eating and desserts

Culinary

The low seed content, tender flesh, and balanced sweet-tart flavor make Taroccos exceptional for fresh eating out of hand. The dramatic red flesh makes them spectacular for salads, desserts, and plating for fine dining. [source]

💊

Vitamin C and antioxidant source

Medicinal

Blood oranges are rich in vitamin C and contain powerful anthocyanin antioxidants—the same compounds that give them their red color. These have been studied for potential cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory benefits. [source]

🏠

Natural cleaning agents and fragrance

Household

The oil-rich peel contains limonene, a powerful natural solvent. Dried peels can be used for homemade cleaning sprays, and the fresh fragrance is pleasant for potpourri and household aromatics. [source]

🎨

Natural food coloring and cosmetics

Craft

The stable anthocyanin pigments in blood orange juice can serve as natural food colorants for baking, confectionery, and beverages. The color is more stable than many plant-based dyes. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Tarocco blood oranges mature November through March in the Northern Hemisphere (May-August in Southern Hemisphere). Harvest when fruit develops deep red/crimson color and yields slightly to gentle pressure—true sweetness peaks when the entire peel transitions from orange to red with maroon streaks. Use pruning shears to cleanly cut from branch rather than twisting. Fruits can be left on tree for several weeks after full ripeness without quality loss. Early-harvested fruit can continue to ripen indoors if kept at room temperature.

Fun Facts

🌱 The 'Tarocco' name derives from Taormina, Sicily, where this cultivar originated in the 19th century and remains the most cultivated blood orange variety worldwide, particularly prized in Italian and Spanish production regions.
🌱 The deep red flesh color develops due to anthocyanins—the same pigments found in blueberries and red wine—which are produced in response to cool nighttime temperatures during fruit maturation, making cooler climates ideal for color intensity.
🌱 A mature Tarocco tree can produce 100-200 fruits annually, and unlike many citrus, blood oranges are relatively low in seeds, with Tarocco having fewer seeds than most other blood orange varieties, making it superior for commercial juice production.

Want personalized planting timelines?

Get started free