Citrus × sinensis 'Navel'
fruitWashington Navel is the seedless eating orange that defined the California citrus industry. Large rounded fruit with the signature small secondary fruit (the navel) at the blossom end, an easy-peeling rind, and sweet richly flavored juice. The variety is parthenocarpic, meaning it produces fruit without pollination, which is the source of its seedlessness.
Sun
full sun
Water
Every 5 days
Harvest
~24 months
to first harvest
Difficulty
easy
Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
Spacing
15-20 ft in ground; large pot for container culture
Planting Depth
Same depth as nursery container; never bury graft
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 9 – 12
When to Fertilize
Every 4-6 weeks March through September
Fertilizer
Citrus formulation with micronutrients (typically 8-8-8) plus iron, zinc, and manganese
Plant in full sun on well-drained slightly acidic soil. Hardy in zones 9 to 11; the tree itself survives short dips near 25F, but fruit damages at 28F. In colder climates grow in a 20 in container that can move indoors for winter. Set the tree at the same depth it grew in the nursery; never bury the graft. Mulch wide and keep mulch off the trunk. Prune only to shape and remove damaged wood.
Direct sow
Apr 15
Projected first harvest
Nov 1 · Year 3
Year 1
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Prune sparingly and time horticultural oil sprays to coincide with new growth flushes
Encourage ladybugs and lacewings, blast colonies with water, and avoid heavy nitrogen
Apply horticultural oil in late winter, hand-scrape light infestations, and release parasitic wasps for biological control
Wrap the trunk with copper banding and clear ground cover within 12 in of the base
Washington Navel ripens November through January in most California regions, with fruit holding well on the tree into early spring. Pick when the fruit turns full orange and feels heavy for its size; navel oranges do not continue to sweeten after harvest. Twist gently or clip with pruners. Store at room temperature for a week or refrigerate up to a month.
About 49 calories per 100 g with 2.4 g fiber, 53 mg vitamin C (88 percent of daily value), 181 mg potassium, and 40 mg calcium. One navel orange supplies a full days vitamin C.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.
Year 2
Year 3