How to Grow an Orange Tree From a Seed

Ripe and juicy oranges on the tree at farmer's garden — Credit:
Anastasiia Krivenok / Getty Images

Growing your own citrus can be a rewarding and fulfilling endeavor, and few trees are as beloved as the orange tree. With their vibrant, juicy fruits and delightful fragrance, orange trees not only provide an abundance of delicious, sweet fruit but also enhance the beauty of your garden.

While starting an orange tree from seed can be a lengthy process, the satisfaction of nurturing it to maturity and ultimately harvesting your own oranges is well worth the wait. Here, orange tree experts explore the intricacies of cultivating your own orange tree, including how to select the best seed and how to transplant your young tree outdoors or into containers.

Tony Marquez, a commercial citrus grower and co-owner of Pearson Ranch
Lorena Baste Stoller, nursery director at Gless Ranch

What to Expect

Orange trees grown from seeds are often hybrids and usually do not grow true to type, according to Tony Marquez, a commercial citrus grower and co-owner of Pearson Ranch. "The resulting trees are genetic mixes of their parent plants, leading to unpredictable and sometimes unfavorable fruit characteristics, such as sour fruit, lots of seeds, and rough outer skin," he says. In fact, some orange trees grown from seed may never bear any fruit at all.

Marquez notes that citrus trees grow very slowly and may take up to 10 years from seed to become fruit-bearing. However, growing an orange tree from seed produces a beautiful tree with glossy evergreen leaves, enhancing the ornamental value of your garden while you await the fruit.

How to Grow an Orange Tree from Seed

While it takes several years for an orange tree to produce fruit, cultivating a juicy orange tree from seed is a fun and straightforward process. Here, Marquez shares his best tips for ensuring a strong start in extracting and germinating the seeds.

Remove and soak the seeds: Remove the seeds from a ripe orange, then soak them in a cup of water and wash them thoroughly to eliminate any remaining juice and pulp. Select 20 seeds to ensure germination success.
Clean the seeds: Using a paper towel, lightly scrub the seeds to remove their outer skin, or seed coat.
Sprout the seeds: Place the seeds on a damp paper towel. Fold the towel over the seeds. Place the folded paper towel in a sealed plastic bag to create a humid environment for the seeds, then place the bag in a dark, warm location.
Monitor the seeds: Check the seeds every few days to ensure they are not drying out. If they appear dry, spritz the seeds with water. The seeds should start to sprout roots within 10 to 14 days.
Transplant the sprouted seeds: After sprouting, plant the germinated seeds in a small container with adequate drainage holes. Fill the container with high-quality, well-draining potting soil. Place the seeds about a 1/2-inch deep in the soil, with the root tip facing down. Water the soil thoroughly, allowing any excess water to drain from the bottom of the pot.
Move to a warm spot: Move the pot to a warm, bright, indoor location, keeping the soil moist.

How to Transplant Outdoors

The best time to plant a citrus tree outdoors is in spring, right after the danger of frost has passed, says Lorena Baste Stoller, nursery director at Gless Ranch. The seedling should be at least 6 to 8 inches tall and have three to four sets of true leaves before transplanting outdoors. Here, she shares helpful tips to ensure successful outdoor planting.

Select a sunny spot: Citrus trees prefer sunny spots with well-draining soil. "If your area gets cold, choose a spot near the house; it'll stay warmer and safer during chilly weather," says Stoller.
Dig a hole and amend the soil: Dig a hole that is about 4 inches wide and twice as deep as the container. Add compost or organic soil to the bottom of the hole.
Plant the seedling: Gently remove the tree from its container without damaging the roots. Place the tree into the hole so the top of the rootball is level with the ground. Backfill with soil. Use your hands to tamp down the soil to remove air pockets.
Provide irrigation: Water the tree thoroughly. After the initial watering, water the young citrus tree about once a week, adjusting the frequency based on the weather.

If water lingers in your soil after rain, plant your tree on a 1- to 2-foot berm. "This little hill gives the roots extra room to grow safely," says Stoller, especially during the first three years when young citrus trees are most vulnerable to drainage problems.

How to Transplant Into a Container

Container gardening is an excellent way to protect plants from cold weather, as you can easily move them indoors when temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Dwarf varieties, like Calamondin, Cara Cara, Trovita, Amigo, and Gold Nugget, are excellent choices for container gardening.

Select a container: When transplanting into a larger container, choose a pot that is at least 25 percent larger than the current pot and has adequate drainage holes.
Add potting soil: When adding soil to the pot, Marquez recommends using a soil mix specially blended for citrus. Fill the new pot at least halfway up with the medium.
Transplant the tree: Carefully tip the pot on its side and wiggle the tree out. Place the tree in the center of the new pot, ensuring the top of the root ball is at the same level it was in the old pot.
Backfill and water: Fill in the remaining space around the root ball with soil, gently pressing it down to eliminate air pockets. Water the tree deeply and slowly to help the soil settle around the roots. Water when the top inch of the soil feels dry.
Provide temporary shade: In the first few weeks, position the pot in an area that receives bright sunlight in the morning and shade in the afternoon to help the roots establish. After a few weeks, you can gradually increase its sun exposure until it can handle full sunlight.

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How to Care for an Orange Tree

Once you’ve successfully transplanted your tree into its permanent home, it’s time to ensure it receives the proper growing conditions. With the right care, your citrus tree will remain healthy and strong, producing an abundant harvest.

Sunlight

Oranges need at least eight to 10 hours of sunlight daily to stay healthy and produce their best-tasting fruit.

Soil

Oranges thrive in loamy, well-draining soil, rich in organic matter, with a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0.

Water

Consistent watering is needed for optimum health. Established citrus trees need about 1 inch of water per week. Avoid overwatering, as oranges do not tolerate soggy soil or wet roots.

Temperature

Orange trees thrive in subtropical regions with optimal temperatures between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. When temperatures dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the tree enters dormancy.

Fertilizer

Fertilize orange trees with a citrus-specific fertilizer in early spring or late summer to provide your tree with essential nutrients during the growing season.