Want to enjoy fresh oranges but don’t have the space? We’ve got you covered – Here’s How to Grow an Orange Tree in Container with ease!
Growing oranges in pots is a fantastic way to enjoy fresh, homegrown fruits right on your balcony or patio. And the best part? You can move the pots indoors when the weather gets tricky. Let’s see how to grow your very own orange tree in a container!
Botanical Name: Citrus sinensis
USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-11
Soil pH: 6.0-7.5
Check out Our Article on the 5 Best Citrus Trees You Can Grow
How to Propagate Orange Tree in a Container
Though growing an Orange tree in a container from seeds or cuttings is possible, you can also take a shortcut and get a healthy, well-grafted plant from a nursery. But if you wanna grow your own. Here’s what to do.
1. From Cuttings
You’ll need 6-10 inches of softwood cuttings from a healthy tree. Get one from a nursery or ask your friends. Next, remove all the leaves from the bottom and dip this end in the rooting hormone (Honey or Aloe will do). Now, fill a pot with potting mix, plant the cutting, and keep it in dappled sunlight. You should water it regularly and be patient. In 8-12 weeks, you’ll notice that it has grown a lot, and this is the perfect time to transplant it to a container.
Propagate Any Plant Cutting Quickly Using this Trick
2. From Seeds
This one might be easier if you can’t find a cutting. Get an orange and gather the seeds from it. Give them a good, long 24-hour soak, and then sow them in a 4-6-inch pot filled with an ideal potting mix. After 3-4 weeks, you’ll notice the growth – just transfer these small plants to larger pots (A 10-12 inch pot would be a good start).
12 Simple Seed Germination Tips To Grow Every Seed
Choosing a Container for Growing Orange Trees
For most varieties, you can start with a standard 10-12 inch pot and then repot into a bigger one as the plant grows. Once it grows, get a container that’s at least 18 inches in diameter and has an 18-20 inch depth.
Best Orange Tree Varieties for Containers
If you’re starting out an orange tree in a pot, these are the ones you should go with.
- Navel Orange: Sweet and seedless, perfect for juices and smoothies.
- Dwarf Washington Navel: Ideal for small spaces, grows to about 8 feet tall.
- Golden Nugget: Sweet, tasty, and grows to around 6 feet tall.
- Valencia: Large, juicy oranges, grows nearly 10 feet tall.
- Satsuma: Easy-to-peel skin, less acidic, grows to around 8 feet tall.
- Trovita: Slightly smaller than Washington’s, produces sour and sweet fruits.
- Mandarin: Sweet fruits, perfect for salads.
- Blood Moro: Deep red blood oranges with a hint of raspberry in taste.
- Nagpur: Large, sweet, juicy, and tangy oranges.
- Navel: Large-sized with a sweet and juicy flavor.
Learn How to Grow Clementine Oranges
Requirements for Growing Oranges in Pots
Location
Your orange tree needs 2 things: full sun and protection from strong winds. Make sure you pick a spot where it gets 8-10 hours of direct sunlight daily. If you cannot provide that much direct sunlight – why not try LED grow lights? Do it the artificial way. But do give it real sunlight as much as you can.
Tip: If your garden or home doesn’t get much sun, you should pick Flying Dragon and Owari satsuma varieties.
Soil
Go with a well-draining, nutrient-rich soil that is high in organic matter. The soil should be slightly acidic and slightly moist. Here’s the only recipe you’ll ever need.
- 2 parts high-quality potting soil – one that’s specifically for citrus trees or cacti/succulents
- 1 part compost – for organic matter, nutrients, and beneficial microbes
- 1 part perlite – for aeration and to prevent waterlogging
Mix these well and add them to the container – your orange tree will thank you.
If you’d prefer a ready-made solution, check the drainage and aeration properties before buying.
Water
Water your container orange trees deeply once a week. We recommend doing it in the morning so the tree has time to absorb the water during the day.
You should water near the base of the tree (avoid wetting the leaves). If you live where the weather’s hot or dry, you may need to water it twice. Check the soil with your finger – if it feels dry, it’s time to water.
How to Bottom Water Your Plants + Houseplants that Love Bottom Watering
Temperature
Orange trees are warm-weather lovers and thrive in subtropical climates with consistent temperatures and moderate humidity. Ideally, you need a temperature of 60°F to 90°F (15°C to 32°C).
They’re not frost tolerant, so make sure that temperatures don’t dip too low in the winter for them – if it does, keep your plant inside.
Tip: For cold climatic areas, grow Satsuma and Changsa Mandarin varieties.
Orange Tree Care in Containers
Fertilizer
Don’t skimp on fertilizers. The best time to fertilize an orange tree is in the spring and summer months when the tree is actively growing. Go for a balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 or 8-8-8 formula, and apply it around the base of the tree. Once in 4-6 weeks is enough.
Make sure the fertilizer does not come into contact with the trunk of the tree – it will cause burning. During winter dormancy, the tree’s nutrient needs decrease, so you don’t need to fertilize.
Pruning
For a healthy orange tree in the United States, you should prune it in late winter or early spring (between late February and early April). And also in late summer or early fall. Use clean pruning shears, cut at a 45-degree angle, and remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches to improve airflow – that’s it.
Repotting
When repotting your orange tree, get your materials ready. You’ll need fresh potting soil, a new pot, a trowel, and garden scissors. Transfer the tree to the new pot, and be mindful of the depth. Add the potting mix slowly with your hands and cover the roots. Add water at the end so the soil gets firm.
Pests and Diseases
You will need to keep an eye out for pests like Citrus Canker causing dark lesions and Citrus Greening Disease resulting in yellow blotches. Just apply organic pesticides, and you’ll be fine. Do the same for scales and spider mites.
For diseases like Phytophthora Root Rot (wilting and root decay) – maintain well-drained soil and consider fungicidal treatments.
Winter Care for Orange Trees in Containers
- Make sure it gets plenty of sunlight – move it if you need to.
- Water only when the top 1-2 inches of soil feels dry (For winter months).
- Reduce the amount of fertilizer, or stop feeding it entirely. It’ll do more harm than good.
- Prune in late winter and get rid of any dead or diseased branches.
Check out Our Article on Taking Care of Houseplants in Winter
Harvesting Oranges
Your orange tree will give you tasty oranges after 3-5 years (2-3 for dwarf varieties).
Look for orange fruits that are firm and heavy for their size and have a bright color. You should wear long sleeves and pants to protect your skin from sharp branches and thorns. Just give the plant a gentle shake, and the oranges will dislodge.
Placing a large tarp or sheet beneath the tree is best to collect the oranges. They’re home grown but you should still wash the oranges with a mild detergent and water before eating.
Need to know how much lime to use to bring up ph level