How to Grow Navel Orange

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Navel Orange

Citrus × sinensis 'Navel'

tree

The Navel orange is a seedless citrus variety known for its distinctive navel-like marking at the base of the fruit. It produces large, sweet, easy-to-peel oranges that are excellent for fresh eating and juice. This evergreen tree is one of the most popular commercial citrus varieties worldwide.

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Example Navel Orange timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Navel Orange
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Navel Orange
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Navel Orange dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 8+ hours daily for optimal fruit production

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Water: Deep, infrequent watering; approximately 1-1.5 inches per week during growing season. Reduce water in winter. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged; citrus is sensitive to root rot from poor drainage.

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Spacing: 240 inches

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Days to maturity: 1095-1460 (3-4 years from grafted nursery tree to first significant fruit production)

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Planting depth: Plant at same depth as soil line in nursery pot; ensure bud union is 4-6 inches above ground level

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil with good structure

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Compost or aged manure Citrus-specific fertilizer (with micronutrients) Sand or perlite if soil drainage is poor Sulfur to lower pH if needed

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 8b-11, with best production in zones 9-10

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

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Growth Stages

Establishment

1-2 years

Young grafted tree developing root system and establishing canopy structure

Water regularly and deeply; protect from frost; avoid heavy pruning; mulch around base; stake for wind support

Vegetative Growth

1-2 years

Tree grows vigorously, producing new leaves and branches; canopy fills out

Apply balanced citrus fertilizer monthly during growing season; maintain consistent watering; light pruning to shape; manage pests and diseases

Flowering

4-6 weeks (typically March-April)

Tree produces fragrant white flowers in spring; buds appear in leaf axils

Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to encourage flowering; maintain consistent watering; do not prune heavily; monitor for pests

Fruit Development

5-7 months (May-November)

Flowers are pollinated, fruit forms and gradually enlarges over 5-7 months; fruit changes color from green to orange

Thin developing fruit if overcrowded (remove smaller specimens); apply high-potassium fertilizer; maintain consistent watering and mulch to regulate soil temperature; manage irrigation carefully to prevent fruit drop

Harvest

November-February

Fruit reaches full size and color; becomes sweet with thick, easy-to-peel skin characteristic of Navel variety

Harvest when fruit is fully colored; use pruners to clip fruit with short stem; handle carefully to avoid bruising; continue watering and fertilizing to support next season's crop

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Grass cover crops Nitrogen-fixing legumes (clover, vetch) Marigold Nasturtium Borage Tansy

Avoid planting near:

Black walnut Fennel Potato Tomato Brassicas in very close proximity

Common Pests

Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer; spray oil when new leaves emerge; use spinosad or horticultural oil for severe infestations
Monitor for yellowing leaves; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage parasitoid wasps; remove infected branches
Spray horticultural oil in winter or early spring; use insecticidal soap; maintain tree vigor with proper fertilization
Increase humidity with overhead irrigation; apply miticide or sulfur dust; use predatory mites like Phytoseiulus
Release yellow sticky traps; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage natural predators
Ensure excellent soil drainage; avoid overwatering; remove infected roots; apply copper fungicide to soil; consider resistant rootstock

Uses

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Fresh eating and juice

Culinary

Navel oranges are prized for their seedless flesh, easy peeling, and sweet flavor, making them ideal for eating fresh out of hand or juicing. The thick skin protects the fruit during transport and storage. [source]

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Marmalade and preserves

Culinary

The thick peel is excellent for making marmalade and candied peel due to its aromatic oils and low bitterness. The fruit's structure makes it particularly suitable for traditional preserve preparation. [source]

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Vitamin C and immune support

Medicinal

One medium Navel orange provides approximately 85 mg of vitamin C (141% DV), supporting immune function and collagen synthesis. Citrus also contains flavonoids with antioxidant properties. [source]

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Essential oil and peel products

Household

The peel contains limonene-rich essential oils used in cleaning products, air fresheners, and aromatherapy. Dried peel has traditional uses in herbal infusions. [source]

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Pollinator nectar

Wildlife

Fragrant Navel orange blossoms attract bees and other pollinators, supporting beneficial insect populations in the garden and improving overall fruit set. [source]

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

Harvest Tips

Navel oranges are typically harvested from November through February/March, depending on location. Fruit does not continue to ripen after picking, so harvest only when fully colored and mature. Use hand pruners or harvest shears to cut fruit with a short stem (1/2 inch), leaving the tree intact. Gently twist and cut simultaneously to prevent branch damage. Fruit can remain on the tree for several weeks after coloring without quality loss. Store at cool room temperature or refrigerate for extended shelf life. A mature tree can produce 100-200+ pounds of fruit annually.

Fun Facts

🌱 Navel oranges are seedless because they are a mutation that produces a second, underdeveloped fruit inside the skin—this creates the distinctive 'navel' marking at the base. All commercial Navel trees are clones propagated from the original mutant discovered in Brazil in the 1800s.
🌱 The fragrance of Navel orange blossoms comes from over 100 volatile compounds, with linalool and limonene being the most prominent. A single flowering tree can perfume an entire neighborhood during spring blooming.
🌱 Navel oranges require a chilling period (winter cold) to set fruit properly, which is why they don't produce well in tropical zones with no winter. Paradoxically, freezing temperatures below 27°F can damage or kill the fruit on the tree.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Annual Full Sun Mulch

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