How to Grow Jubilee Orange
Jubilee Orange
Citrus × sinensis 'Jubilee'
treeJubilee Orange is a compact, cold-hardy citrus tree producing sweet, seedless or near-seedless oranges with excellent flavor. It was developed in Florida to withstand cooler temperatures than most citrus varieties, making it suitable for regions that would otherwise be too cold for orange cultivation. The tree is highly ornamental with fragrant white flowers and dense foliage.
When should you plant Jubilee Orange in your zone?
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Example Jubilee Orange timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Jubilee 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 Jubilee Orange
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Jubilee Orange dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 8b-11, notably cold-hardy for citrus, surviving brief freezes to 5-10°F (-15 to -12°C)
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Get my Jubilee Orange timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
1-2 yearsYoung tree developing root system and trunk structure; minimal fruiting.
Water deeply and frequently; stake for support in windy areas; do not allow heavy fruit production; maintain regular pruning for shape.
Vegetative Growth
Year 2-3Rapid growth of branches and foliage; tree building framework; light flowering begins.
Apply balanced citrus fertilizer 3-4 times per year; prune to develop strong scaffold branches; thin excessive growth.
Flowering & Pollination
4-6 weeks in springWhite, fragrant flowers appear; typically in spring (March-April in northern regions); flowers are self-fertile.
Maintain consistent watering; avoid heavy nitrogen to prevent excessive vegetative growth; allow bees and other pollinators access.
Fruit Development & Maturation
6-8 months (June/July through November/December)Small fruit sets and enlarges; color changes from green to orange (typically October-December); high sugar content develops.
Reduce nitrogen, increase potassium and phosphorus; maintain steady watering to prevent fruit cracking; thin fruit if overcrowded (1 fruit every 6 inches of branch).
Harvest & Winter Rest
December-FebruaryFruit fully mature and sweetest; leaves may show winter color; minimal growth activity.
Harvest as needed; reduce watering in winter; minimize pruning; protect tree during hard freezes; resume feeding in late winter/early spring.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Monitor for mottled foliage; spray neem oil or horticultural oil; maintain tree vigor; consult local agricultural extension on chemical controls and quarantine requirements.
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Prune out heavily infested branches; spray dormant oil in winter; use horticultural oil during growing season; encourage natural predators.
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Spray with water to dislodge; apply sulfur dust or neem oil; maintain humidity; avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen.
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Remove heavily damaged leaves; apply neem oil to new growth; avoid nitrogen-heavy fertilizing; rarely causes significant crop loss.
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Spray insecticidal soap or neem oil; use yellow sticky traps; encourage beneficial insects.
Uses
Fresh consumption and juice
CulinaryJubilee Oranges are excellent fresh-eating citrus with sweet flavor and low acidity. They are also suitable for fresh-squeezed juice, though some seeds may be present in some trees. [source]
Zest and marmalade
CulinaryThe fragrant peel can be zested for baking, cooking, and tea. The rind is excellent for homemade marmalade and candied peel due to balanced sweetness and acidity. [source]
Vitamin C supplementation
MedicinalOranges are rich in vitamin C, supporting immune function and antioxidant protection. Fresh orange juice or eating the fruit whole provides bioavailable citrus nutrients. [source]
Ornamental and fragrance
HouseholdThe tree's dense, attractive foliage and abundant fragrant white flowers make it a beautiful landscape specimen. Flowers provide delicate orange blossom fragrance in spring. [source]
Pollinator support
WildlifeSpring flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects. Mature fruit also provides food and shelter for birds and beneficial insects. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Fruit matures and develops full sweetness from November through January in most regions. Harvest when fully orange in color; use hand-picking or small pruning shears to avoid damaging branches. Fruit can remain on tree 4-6 weeks after full ripeness without significant quality loss. For best flavor, allow fruit to mature fully on the tree rather than harvesting early. A mature Jubilee Orange tree produces 50-200 pounds of fruit annually, depending on age, growing conditions, and freeze damage.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Jubilee Orange was developed at the University of Florida specifically to extend citrus cultivation into zones normally too cold for oranges, surviving temperatures down to 5-10°F with minimal damage.
- 🌱 The variety is largely seedless or contains very few seeds, a trait inherited from mandarin genetics, making it more convenient for fresh eating and juice production.
- 🌱 Jubilee Orange trees can live 50-100+ years with proper care, becoming increasingly productive and ornamental with age, making them a long-term landscape investment.
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