How to Grow Cara Cara Navel Orange
Cara Cara Navel Orange
Citrus × sinensis 'Cara Cara'
treeCara Cara is a premium navel orange cultivar known for its deep reddish-pink flesh, sweet flavor, and seedless fruit. It is a mid-season variety that produces medium to large citrus fruits with excellent eating quality and lower acidity than standard navels. This ornamental and productive tree is ideal for home gardens in warm climates.
When should you plant Cara Cara Navel Orange in your zone?
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Example Cara Cara Navel Orange timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Cara Cara Navel Orange
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Cara Cara Navel Orange
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Cara Cara Navel Orange dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in USDA zones 9-10; hardy to zone 8b with protection
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Get my Cara Cara Navel Orange timeline →Growth Stages
Young Tree Establishment
1-2 yearsFirst 1-2 years after planting. Tree develops strong root system and main scaffold branches. Minimal flowering occurs.
Water deeply and regularly. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around base. Prune to establish open vase or central leader form. Avoid fruit production by removing early flowers. Stake if necessary for wind protection.
Flowering
3-6 weeksFragrant white flowers appear in spring (February-April in Northern Hemisphere). Heavy flowering indicates good fruit set potential.
Provide consistent water during bloom to prevent flower drop. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen. Allow pollinating insects access. Thin flowers if excessive to promote larger fruit development.
Fruit Development
8-10 weeksSmall green fruits form after flowering. Fruits grow steadily through late spring and summer. June drop may occur if water or nutrients are insufficient.
Ensure consistent watering without waterlogging. Apply balanced citrus fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. Thin fruit if crowded—space to 4-6 inches apart for premium size. Monitor for pests and diseases.
Fruit Maturation & Color Development
8-12 weeks (November-January harvest period)Fruits reach full size by fall. Rind color transitions from green to bright orange; flesh develops characteristic deep pink-red color characteristic of Cara Cara. Flavor and sugar content peak.
Reduce nitrogen fertilizer. Continue regular watering. Maintain mulch layer. Protect from frost in zones 8b-9a. Monitor for scale insects and citrus leaf miners.
Harvest & Rest
2-4 weeksFruit ready to harvest December-February when fully colored and slightly soft to gentle pressure. After harvest, tree enters dormant period.
Harvest when fully orange with deep pink flesh visible through rind. Prune dead wood and thin canopy. Reduce watering in winter. Resume feeding in early spring.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Remove heavily infested leaves; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil during growth flushes; encourage natural parasitoid wasps
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Prune infested branches; spray horticultural oil in dormant season; apply insecticidal soap during crawler stage; introduce ladybug predators
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Monitor for yellowing leaves; spray neem oil or pyrethrin-based insecticide; avoid over-fertilizing; remove infected leaves immediately
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Increase humidity with foliar misting; spray with water to dislodge; apply sulfur dust or insecticidal soap if severe
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Prune affected branches well below lesions; sterilize tools; avoid overhead watering; apply copper-based fungicide preventively in humid regions
Uses
Fresh Eating & Juicing
CulinaryCara Cara oranges are prized for eating fresh due to their seedless nature, rich color, and exceptionally sweet flavor with low acidity. They also juice well and create visually striking fresh-squeezed juice with a rose-like hue. [source]
Desserts & Pastry
CulinaryThe distinctive deep pink flesh and natural sweetness make Cara Cara perfect for sauces, glazes, marmalades, and elegant plating in desserts. The rind can be candied for confections. [source]
Natural Cleaning & Fragrance
HouseholdCitrus peels contain limonene, a natural solvent useful for homemade cleaners. The fragrant flowers and peel provide natural room fragrance or can be used to make infusions. [source]
Vitamin C & Immune Support
MedicinalFresh Cara Cara oranges are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and dietary fiber, supporting immune function and digestive health. One medium orange provides about 70% of the daily recommended vitamin C. [source]
Pollinator & Bird Support
WildlifeThe fragrant spring blossoms attract bees and other pollinators. Mature fruit provides food for birds and wildlife. The evergreen foliage offers shelter year-round. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Cara Cara navel oranges typically ripen December through February in most regions. Harvest when fruit is fully orange with a slight give when gently squeezed; color development is more important than size. Clip fruit with pruning shears rather than pulling to avoid branch damage. Tree begins consistent production by year 4-5. Trees can remain productive for 30+ years.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Cara Cara was discovered as a limb sport (natural mutation) on a Bahia navel orange tree in Venezuela and was introduced to Florida in the 1970s; the name 'Cara Cara' means 'face to face' in Spanish.
- 🌱 The distinctive pink-red flesh color comes from higher concentrations of anthocyanins and carotenoids compared to standard navel oranges, making them a visual and nutritional novelty.
- 🌱 Cara Cara trees typically begin producing a reliable harvest 4-5 years after planting and are notably reliable producers with consistent fruit quality, making them excellent for home gardeners despite being a premium commercial variety.
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