How to Grow Orange Navel

Orange Navel

Citrus × sinensis 'Navel'

tree

The Navel orange is a seedless citrus tree prized for its large, sweet fruit with a distinctive navel-like opening at one end. It's one of the most popular orange varieties grown worldwide and produces abundant yields of easy-to-peel fruit. The tree grows 20-30 feet tall and develops an attractive rounded canopy with glossy evergreen foliage.

Looking for a specific variety?

Washington Navel Cara Cara Bahianinha Bonanza Jaffa

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 8+ hours daily; essential for fruit quality and sweetness

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Water: Deep watering every 7-10 days during growing season; reduce in winter. Requires consistent moisture but cannot tolerate waterlogging. Mature trees are moderately drought-tolerant but produce better with regular watering.

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Spacing: 240 inches

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Days to maturity: 1095-1460 (3-4 years from planting to first significant harvest; peak production at 5-7 years)

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Planting depth: Plant at same depth as root ball; graft union should be 6-8 inches above soil line

Soil

Type: Well-draining sandy loam or loamy soil

pH: 6.0-7.5

Amendments:

Citrus fertilizer (NPK 8-8-8 or 10-10-10) Compost or aged manure Zinc supplement Magnesium (Epsom salt if deficient)

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in USDA zones 8b-11; commercially grown in zones 9-10

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

Growth Stages

Establishment (Year 1)

12 months

Young tree develops root system and establishes growth pattern; minimal flowering

Water regularly, apply mulch 4-6 inches deep, prune for shape, avoid heavy fertilizing

Vegetative Growth (Years 2-3)

24 months

Tree grows vigorously, developing strong branching structure; occasional flower buds may appear

Continue regular watering and fertilizing on schedule; thin competing branches; pinch back vigorous shoots if needed

Flowering (Spring, primarily March-April)

3-4 weeks

Fragrant white flowers appear in clusters throughout the canopy; blooms last 2-3 weeks

Reduce nitrogen slightly to encourage flowering; maintain consistent watering; do not over-fertilize

Fruit Development & Growth (May-September)

5-6 months

Tiny green fruits develop from pollinated flowers, gradually enlarging over 4-5 months; fruit transitions from green to orange

Thin fruit clusters if desired (leave 6-8 inches between fruits); maintain consistent watering; apply balanced fertilizer monthly

Maturity & Harvest (October-February)

4-5 months

Fruit reaches full size and develops deep orange color; fruit will stay on tree without dropping for months

Harvest fruit by clipping or twisting; continue regular watering; reduce fertilizer in late fall

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Companion planting with other citrus Legumes (nitrogen-fixing ground covers) Marigold Lavender Basil

Avoid planting near:

Juglans species (Walnut - produces juglone) Eucalyptus Pine trees (compete for nutrients) Fennel

Common Pests

Remove affected leaves; spray neem oil or horticultural oil; maintain tree vigor; use reflective mulch
Spray with strong water stream; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; increase humidity
Prune heavily infested branches; apply horticultural oil in winter; use insecticidal soap in growing season
Monitor and remove affected leaves; spray neem oil; encourage natural predators; avoid over-fertilizing nitrogen
Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; yellow sticky traps; encourage parasitic wasps
Remove with rubbing alcohol on cotton swab; spray neem oil; encourage natural predators

Uses

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Fresh eating and juice

Culinary

Navel oranges are the premier eating orange due to their seedless nature, sweet flavor, and easy-to-peel thick skin. Ideal for fresh consumption, juicing, and desserts. [source]

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Zest and marmalade

Culinary

The thick peel provides abundant zest for flavoring baked goods and sauces. Also excellent for making marmalade and candied peel. [source]

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Vitamin C and immune support

Medicinal

Navel oranges are rich in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that supports immune function, collagen synthesis, and overall health. [source]

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Natural cleaner and deodorizer

Household

Orange peel can be used to make natural cleaning solutions using the acidic citric acid; also effective as a natural air freshener and odor absorber. [source]

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Ornamental landscape value

Craft

The tree's fragrant white flowers, glossy evergreen foliage, and colorful fruit make it an attractive ornamental for subtropical and warm temperate gardens. [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 deep orange and yields slightly to gentle pressure (typically October-February, depending on location). Clip fruit with shears or twist gently; do not pull. Fruit continues to sweeten on tree and will hold for months without dropping. Navel oranges do not ripen further after picking, so ensure full color before harvest. Early harvest will be less sweet.

Fun Facts

🌱 Navel oranges are a spontaneous genetic mutation that produces a seedless fruit with a distinctive knob-like 'navel' at the blossom end, containing undeveloped fruit remnants. This mutation first appeared in Brazil in the 1820s and was propagated worldwide through grafting.
🌱 Unlike most fruits, navel oranges do not ripen after being picked from the tree. All ripening occurs on the branch, so they can remain on the tree for several months without over-ripening or dropping, making them ideal for fresh harvest throughout the season.
🌱 A mature navel orange tree can produce 100-300 fruit per year under ideal conditions. Trees are long-lived, with some specimens bearing fruit for 50+ years.

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