Indoor Plants
Outdoor Plants
Navel Orange
A navel orange tree with large, sweet, seedless fruit that peels easily and ripens early in winter.
- Light: Direct sun
- Water: Regular water, more in summer
- Temperature: Likes warmth
Description
The navel orange is one of the most popular oranges in the world. Its large, sweet fruit is almost seedless, peels easily and has the small "navel" at one end. It ripens early, making it one of the first winter fruits, and its waxy white flowers are very fragrant.
Why a navel orange?
- Large, sweet, almost seedless fruit.
- Easy-peel skin and segments that separate easily.
- Ripens early, roughly October to January.
- Waxy white flowers with a strong scent.
Where to plant it
Home gardens, sunny courtyards, in front of villas and along wide paths. Leave about 4.5 m between it and other trees or buildings.
Care in the Saudi climate
- Light: full, direct sun; in light shade it gives less fruit.
- Water: twice a week in the first month, then whenever new leaves wilt in the afternoon. In a Saudi summer it needs more water.
- Soil: best pH is 5.5–6.5. In the alkaline soil common in Saudi, yellow leaves with green veins mean iron deficiency – treat with chelated iron in the soil and a yearly manganese and zinc spray.
- Feeding: in the first year, a balanced fertilizer about every 6 weeks from February to October, kept away from the trunk.
- Pruning: remove shoots growing from below the graft; the tree needs little pruning, and too much reduces fruit.
- Flowering: it is sensitive to heat and drought during flowering and fruit set, so keep watering steady in spring and early summer.
Sizes
- 1.8–2.0 m: Established tree. Home gardens – instant presence.
Three things to get right.
Lighting
Needs full, direct sun to fruit well; light shade means less fruit.
Watering
Water twice a week in the first month, then whenever new leaves wilt in the afternoon. In summer it needs more water.
Temperature & humidity
Grows well in warmth but is sensitive to extreme heat and drought at flowering time.
More fruit tree.Pairs well with
Almost – its flowers have no viable pollen, so the fruit has no or very few seeds, and it won't pollinate other citrus.
Navel oranges are sensitive to heat and drought during flowering and fruit set. Keep watering steady in spring and early summer.
It ripens early, roughly October to January; timing can vary with region and weather.
In alkaline soil, yellow leaves with green veins usually mean iron deficiency. Add chelated iron to the soil and spray manganese and zinc.
The ASPCA lists citrus trees such as orange and lemon as toxic to cats, dogs and horses because of their essential oils; the fruit flesh is edible, but peel and leaves can cause problems.