How to Grow Navel Orange

Navel Orange

Citrus × sinensis

tree

The Navel Orange is a seedless citrus tree prized for its large, sweet fruit with a distinctive navel-like formation at the apex. This evergreen tree produces fragrant white blossoms and develops into a productive ornamental specimen suitable for home gardens and commercial orchards. Navel oranges are among the most popular eating oranges worldwide, known for their rich flavor and ease of peeling.

Looking for a specific variety?

Washington Navel Cara Cara Navel Powell Newhall Navel Sanguinello Navel

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 8+ hours daily. Minimum 6 hours for adequate fruit production.

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Water: Deep watering every 7-10 days during growing season; reduce in winter. Young trees need consistent moisture; established trees are moderately drought-tolerant. Avoid waterlogging, which causes root rot. In arid climates, irrigate deeply and regularly.

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Spacing: 240 inches

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Days to maturity: 1095-1460 days from planting (3-4 years to first significant fruit production; 5-6 years to full maturity)

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Planting depth: Plant grafted trees at same depth as in nursery pot; bud union should be 6-12 inches above soil line to prevent scion rooting

Soil

Type: Well-draining sandy loam to loamy soil

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Citrus-specific fertilizer (10-5-20 NPK) Compost or aged manure for organic matter Sulfur if pH is above 7.5 Zinc and magnesium chelates for micronutrients

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 8b-11, with best performance in zones 9-10. Can tolerate brief freezes to 20°F (-7°C) when established.

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

Growth Stages

Establishment

1-2 years

Young tree focuses on root and branch development with minimal flowering. New growth is tender and vulnerable.

Water deeply 2-3 times per week. Stake for wind protection. Remove any flowers the first 1-2 years to direct energy to growth. Apply mulch 4-6 inches deep, keeping 12 inches away from trunk.

Vegetative Growth

1-2 years

Tree develops strong branch structure and expands canopy. Glossy evergreen leaves emerge throughout growing season.

Prune to develop open canopy (vase shape). Apply balanced citrus fertilizer quarterly during growing season. Monitor for nutrient deficiencies (yellowing leaves = nitrogen need).

Flowering

4-6 weeks

Fragrant white flowers appear in spring (timing varies by climate). Clusters of small five-petaled blossoms emerge from branch terminals and axils.

Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to encourage flowering; switch to phosphorus-potassium blend. Avoid major pruning during flowering. Ensure adequate water during bloom; flower drop occurs with stress.

Fruit Development

3-4 months

Small green fruits form where flowers were; they gradually enlarge and change from dark green to orange over months. Natural fruit thinning occurs.

Water consistently and deeply; variable moisture causes fruit crack and drop. Apply potassium-rich fertilizer monthly. Thin excessive fruit to 6-12 inches apart for larger oranges.

Ripening & Harvest

Variable (8-12 weeks typical); ripening duration depends on cultivar and climate

Fruit reaches full orange color and develops peak sugar content. Skin becomes fragrant and slightly softer. Navel formation becomes prominent.

Maintain consistent watering. Allow fruit to fully color on tree (color is primary harvest indicator, not size). Fruit can hang on tree for several weeks after ripening without quality loss.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Basil Nasturtium Allium (garlic, onion) Borage Marigold Chives

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Black walnut Eucalyptus Other citrus species (to reduce pest concentration risk)

Common Pests

Remove affected leaves on young growth; avoid high-nitrogen fertilizer that promotes tender leaves. Apply horticultural oil; use yellow sticky traps to monitor adults.
Critical pest—monitor regularly. Spray with horticultural oil or neem oil. Remove affected leaves. Use yellow sticky traps. Consider systemic insecticides for severe infestations.
Spray dormant oil in late winter. Manual removal of heavily infested branches. Use insecticidal soap on crawler stage (spring).
Increase humidity and water leaves. Spray with water spray to dislodge. Use miticide if severe; neem oil in early morning or evening.
Spray with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Use yellow sticky traps. Introduce parasitic wasps for biological control.
Strong water spray dislodges them. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Introduce ladybugs.
No cure—prune out infected branches 12 inches beyond lesions. Sterilize pruners between cuts. Remove affected trees in severe cases. Prevent via disease-free nursery stock.
No cure. Control via managing psyllid vectors (see Citrus Psyllid). Use disease-free budwood. Quarantine infected trees.

Uses

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Fresh eating and juicing

Culinary

Navel oranges are primarily consumed fresh due to their seedlessness, sweet flavor, and ease of peeling. They are excellent for fresh juice, though juice yield is lower than Valencia oranges; best consumed immediately after juicing for maximum vitamin C content. [source]

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Immune support and antioxidant properties

Medicinal

Navel oranges are rich in vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which supports immune function, collagen synthesis, and acts as a powerful antioxidant. The peel contains limonene, a phytochemical with potential anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties studied in laboratory research. [source]

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Peel extraction for cleaning and fragrance

Household

The peel contains volatile oils (d-limonene) that can be extracted or used to create natural cleaners, deodorizers, and fragrant oils. Dried peel can be used in pot-pourri or simmered for natural room fragrance. [source]

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Ornamental landscape specimen

Craft

The Navel Orange tree's glossy evergreen foliage, fragrant spring blossoms, and attractive fruit make it a beautiful ornamental addition to Mediterranean-style and warm-climate gardens. The tree serves as both an aesthetically pleasing landscape element and a productive food source. [source]

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Pollinator and wildlife support

Wildlife

The fragrant white flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators during spring bloom. The tree provides shelter for beneficial insects and birds, and the fruit can be left for wildlife in winter months. [source]

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

Harvest Tips

Harvest when fruit is fully orange and slightly soft to gentle pressure (typically November-March, depending on zone). The navel at the apex should be prominent. Twist gently or cut with pruners, leaving small stem attached. Fruit can mature on tree; allow full color development for sweetest taste. One mature tree (5+ years old) produces 100-150 pounds of fruit per year.

Fun Facts

🌱 The 'navel' at the top of the fruit is actually a secondary fruit (conjoined twin fruit) that develops within the larger orange—the indent is where this aborted twin remains embedded.
🌱 Navel oranges originated as a spontaneous mutation in Brazil in the early 1800s and cannot be grown from seed; all commercial trees are propagated via grafting from that original mutant tree's genetic line.
🌱 A mature Navel Orange tree can live 60+ years and some California specimens planted in the 1870s are still bearing fruit, making them excellent long-term landscape investments.

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