How to Grow Cara Cara Navel Orange

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Cara Cara Navel Orange

Citrus × sinensis 'Cara Cara'

tree

Cara Cara is a premium navel orange variety prized for its deep red flesh, rich sweet flavor, and seedless fruit. This mid-season citrus tree produces large, high-quality oranges that are excellent for fresh eating and juice. The tree is vigorous, productive, and relatively cold-hardy compared to other navel varieties.

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

Plant Cara Cara Navel Orange
Around Apr 17

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

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

Before 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

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Sun: Full sun, minimum 6-8 hours daily; 8+ hours preferred for optimal fruit quality and sugar development

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Water: Deep watering 1-2 times per week during growing season; reduce frequency in winter. Ensure soil drains well to prevent root rot. Young trees need consistent moisture; established trees are moderately drought-tolerant once roots are deep.

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Spacing: 240 inches

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Days to maturity: 3-4 years to first fruit; full production at 5-6 years

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Planting depth: Plant at same depth as container root ball; graft union should be 4-6 inches above soil level

Soil

Type: Well-draining sandy loam or loamy soil

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Citrus-specific fertilizer with micronutrients (zinc, boron, magnesium) Compost or aged manure for organic matter Sulfur if pH is too high Mulch (3-4 inches) to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature

Growing Zones

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Thrives in USDA zones 8b-11; requires frost protection in zone 8b

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

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Growth Stages

Establishment (Year 1)

12 months

Young tree focuses on root development and canopy establishment. Limited flowering may occur but should be removed to direct energy into growth.

Water consistently, protect from harsh sun initially with 30-50% shade cloth. Remove all flowers first year. Stake tree for support. Apply 3-4 inches of mulch.

Juvenile Growth (Years 2-3)

24 months

Tree develops strong branch structure and increases canopy size. Flowering increases but fruit set may still be light.

Prune to develop open vase shape. Apply citrus fertilizer monthly during growing season (March-September). Thin excess flowers to direct energy into quality fruit.

Flowering & Pollination (Spring, March-April)

4-6 weeks

Fragrant white flowers appear on mature wood. Citrus trees are self-fertile but benefit from pollinator activity.

Avoid heavy pruning during flowering. Maintain consistent water supply. Encourage pollinators with habitat. Thin flower clusters to one flower per 6 inches of branch for larger fruit.

Fruit Development & Maturation (Summer-Fall)

16-20 weeks

Young fruit develops rapidly and reaches mature size by August-September. Fruit gradually changes color from green to orange as sugar accumulates.

Thin fruit to one every 6 inches for premium size and quality. Continue regular deep watering. Apply potassium-rich fertilizer to enhance sweetness. Harvest typically November-March.

Harvest & Post-Harvest (November-March)

4-5 months

Fruit develops characteristic deep red interior color and peak sweetness. Tree naturally holds fruit well on branches.

Harvest when fruit is firm and fully colored. Cut rather than twist to avoid branch damage. Reduce watering after harvest. Prune selectively to maintain shape and remove dead wood.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Bergamot orange Lemon Grapefruit Avocado Macadamia nut Nitrogen-fixing cover crops (clover, vetch) Basil Marigold

Avoid planting near:

Black walnut Eucalyptus Fennel Other shallow-rooted trees competing for water Frost-prone low-lying areas

Common Pests

Monitor for leaf spotting and yellowing. Use sticky yellow traps. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap. Remove heavily infested branches. Report to local agricultural extension immediately.
Prune out heavily infested leaves. Apply narrow-range horticultural oil or neem oil. Usually not serious on mature trees. Avoid over-fertilizing which promotes tender new growth.
Spray with horticultural oil in dormant season or as crawlers appear. Use insecticidal soap. Hand-remove if populations are light.
Increase humidity and water from overhead occasionally. Apply sulfur dust or miticide if severe. Avoid over-fertilizing.
Use entomopathogenic nematodes in soil. Remove and destroy heavily infested leaves. Maintain tree vigor. Use sticky bands on trunk to catch adults.
Prune out infected branches. Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering. Apply copper fungicide in spring. Remove fallen leaves to reduce spore sources.

Uses

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Fresh Eating & Premium Juice

Culinary

Cara Cara's deep red flesh, high sugar content, and seedless characteristic make it exceptional for fresh consumption and cold-pressed juice. The complex sweet-tart flavor profile is richer than typical navels. [source]

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Desserts & Marmalade

Culinary

The attractive red interior and sweet flavor make Cara Cara ideal for fruit tarts, salads, and gourmet marmalades. The juice pairs well in sauces for duck and pork. [source]

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Vitamin C & Antioxidant Source

Medicinal

Oranges are rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and antioxidants that support immune function and reduce inflammation. The deep red flesh indicates higher anthocyanin content than pale varieties. [source]

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Aromatic Oil & Peels

Household

Orange peels contain limonene and can be used to make homemade cleaners, essential oils, and fragrant zests. Dried peels add flavor to teas and cooking. [source]

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Pollinator & Biodiversity Support

Wildlife

Citrus flowers provide abundant nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Mature trees offer shelter for beneficial insects and birds. [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 fruit matures mid-season (November-January in Northern Hemisphere). Wait for full color development as sugar content increases until December. Fruit can be left on tree for weeks after ripening. Cut fruit with pruning shears to avoid branch damage—do not twist. Harvest when firm, full-sized, and deeply colored. Each tree yields 100-200 oranges at maturity.

Fun Facts

🌱 Cara Cara navel oranges were discovered as a bud sport (natural mutation) in Venezuela in the 1970s and are now considered one of the world's finest navel varieties, commanding premium prices in international markets.
🌱 The distinctive deep red or burgundy interior flesh (not the exterior) is what gives Cara Cara its name and makes it visually stunning when cut—this coloration develops in response to cool nighttime temperatures in late fall.
🌱 Navel oranges are seedless because they develop from an aborted secondary ovary; Cara Cara is genetically identical to other navels but selected specifically for superior flavor, fruit size, and interior color quality.

Gardening Terms

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

Full Sun Mulch pH

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