How to Grow Orange Navel Cara Cara
Orange Navel Cara Cara
Citrus × sinensis 'Cara Cara'
treeCara Cara is a premium navel orange variety known for its deep red-orange flesh, rich sweet flavor, and low acid content. This mid-season to late-season cultivar produces medium to large seedless fruits with exceptional eating quality and aromatic appeal. It is a mutation of the Selecta navel orange and is prized by both commercial growers and home gardeners.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in USDA zones 9-11; also grown successfully in zone 8b with winter protection
Sign up to see your zone highlighted.
Growth Stages
Establishment (Year 1)
12 monthsYoung grafted tree with single trunk and primary scaffolding branches developing. Foliage is bright green with vigorous new growth.
Remove early flowers to promote branch development. Water regularly and stake for support in windy areas. Mulch around base but keep clear of trunk. Apply balanced fertilizer monthly during growing season.
Framework Development (Years 2-3)
24 monthsTree develops secondary and tertiary branches, forming the basic canopy structure. Growth is vigorous with healthy green foliage. Some light flowering may occur.
Prune to shape canopy and remove competing or crossing branches. Continue light flowering removal in year 2. Gradually reduce pruning in year 3. Maintain consistent irrigation and fertilization.
Flowering
4-6 weeksFragrant small white flowers appear in clusters on branch tips. Flowers are followed by tiny green fruitlets. Peak blooming occurs in spring (late February to April in Northern Hemisphere).
Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to encourage flowering. Ensure adequate water during bloom for fruit set. Light hand-thinning of flower clusters can improve fruit size. Temperatures below 55°F or above 95°F reduce fruit set.
Fruit Development & Growth
6-8 monthsGreen fruitlets enlarge steadily, developing thick, smooth rind. Tree carries increasingly heavy fruit load. Foliage remains dark green and robust.
Thin fruit to 6-8 inches apart for optimal size and quality (Cara Cara naturally produces medium-large fruit). Provide consistent moisture; stress can cause fruit drop or poor quality. Apply citrus fertilizer every 4-6 weeks. Stake or support heavy-laden branches.
Harvest (Mid-season to Late-season)
2-4 monthsFruit color changes from green to deep orange with a rich, dark red-orange interior visible when cut. Rind becomes slightly soft when ripe, indicating peak sweetness and juice content.
Cara Cara typically ripens December to February (Northern Hemisphere). Fruit can hang on tree for extended periods without quality loss. Harvest when fully colored and slightly soft to touch. Cut fruit from branch rather than pulling.
Common Pests
-
Spray neem oil or insecticidal soap on new growth; encourage parasitoid wasps; prune heavily infested shoots. Often not economically damaging on ornamental/home trees.
-
Spray water to dislodge; apply miticide or sulfur if severe. Maintain humidity to discourage infestations.
-
Apply horticultural oil in dormant season; use insecticidal soap on crawler stage; manually remove if light infestation. Encourage beneficial insects.
-
Strong water spray; insecticidal soap; neem oil. Usually self-limiting as trees mature.
-
Monitor for yellowing leaves and stippling; spray neem oil or systemic insecticide if populations high. Crucial to prevent spread of citrus greening disease.
-
Control underlying pest population; wipe leaves with damp cloth if mild. Improves when pest pressure decreases.
Uses
Fresh juice and eating
CulinaryCara Cara oranges are exceptionally sweet with a rich, slightly berry-like flavor and low acid content, making them ideal for fresh juice, fresh eating, and breakfast service. The deep red flesh is visually striking and the fruit is completely seedless. [source]
Desserts and marmalade
CulinaryThe thick, flavorful rind and high pectin content make Cara Cara excellent for marmalade and jam production. The fruit is also used in upscale desserts, glazes, and chocolate pairings. [source]
Vitamin C and antioxidants
MedicinalRich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and flavonoids, particularly in the red flesh which contains lycopene. Regular consumption supports immune function and cardiovascular health. [source]
Zest and aromatics
HouseholdThe highly fragrant peel is prized for zesting into baked goods, beverages, and infusions. Dried peel is used in potpourri and natural air fresheners. [source]
Pollinator and bird food
WildlifeFragrant flowers attract pollinators (bees, butterflies) in spring. Fruit provides food for birds and wildlife during late winter when other food sources are scarce. [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 navel oranges typically ripen from December through February (mid-season to late-season). Wait until fruit is fully orange and rind feels slightly soft when gently squeezed—they do not increase in sweetness after harvest. Use pruning shears or a clipper to cut the fruit stem rather than pulling, which can damage the branch. Fruit can remain on tree for 4-6 weeks after full ripeness without significant quality loss. One mature tree (5+ years old) yields 100-200 pounds of fruit annually.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Cara Cara is a spontaneous genetic mutation of the Selecta navel orange that was discovered in Venezuela in the 1970s and has since become one of the most premium and expensive navel orange varieties globally.
- 🌱 The distinctive deep red-orange flesh, sometimes described as having a wine or blood-orange hue, is caused by the presence of lycopene and other carotenoids, making Cara Cara visually unique among standard navel varieties.
- 🌱 Unlike most citrus trees, navel orange trees (including Cara Cara) produce fruit parthenocarpically (without pollination), which is why they are reliably seedless, though cross-pollination with other citrus can improve overall fruit set and yield.
Want personalized planting timelines?
Sign up to get frost dates, task lists, and more for your zone.
Get started free