Planting and Growing Orange Trees in Warm Climates

Site Selection and Planning

In hot, humid zones (Florida, California), orange trees thrive. They reach 50 ft—plan space accordingly. Plant in open area to avoid future transplanting (e.g., removing sheds).

Soil Requirements

Fine sand with excellent drainage. Deep soil for extensive roots supporting large leaves. Shallow, soggy soil spells disaster.

Popular Varieties

• Washington Navel: Mutation from Brazil (1820). Easy-peel, less juice, intense flavor. Most common commercial variety. Lower water needs.
• Trovita: Lab-developed in California (early 1900s). More seeds, less juice, but tolerates hot, dry conditions. Many Florida oranges are Trovita mutations.
• Valencia: Juicy, flavorful, popular in South Africa/southern US. Near-seedless. Thought from China. Rhode Red Valencia (1960): larger, hardier, juicier, less acidic.

Enjoy Decades of Fruit

With minimal planting effort, enjoy hundreds of oranges yearly. Consult a local expert to confirm variety suitability.