Valencia Orange (Citrus × Sinensis ’Valencia’)
⚠ Citrus ships to Florida only ⚠
Named from a city in Spain, the Valencia Orange is a Subtropical Evergreen Fruit Tree native to California. Originally from China and popularized in Spain, this super-juicy Citrus delight bears two crops each year and bears a late and long season. Once the Valencia made its way to Florida, it quickly became a Rutaceae family favorite among growers and thrives in nitrogen-rich, sunny settings.
Known for its high-production and March-September harvest peak, the refreshing Valencia grows 3-inch diameter fruits with refreshing sweet-tart balance. The golden standard for orange juice, the Valencia Orange makes up almost 50 percent of the citrus grown in Florida groves!
Sweet and nutrient packed, the Valencia Orange has a thin, tight rind with oil glands rich in fragrant essential oil. On the inside, you’ll find tender flesh full of sweet, juicy flavor. Note that the fruit is known to regreen, which means it reabsorbs chlorophyll when fully ripe, but doesn’t affect any flavor or quality properties. Growing up to 30 ft. tall, the Valencia Orange makes for a magnificent canopy of glossy, deep green leaves with fragrant spring orange blossoms worth stopping to admire. Treat yourself with a glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice from your very own Valencia tree!
Planting, cultural care, pruning, and harvesting are similar for all citrus plants, with a few slight variations. Generally, they are best planted in filtered sun with well-drained soil that can hold moisture and nutrients. Citrus trees a particularly high demand for nitrogen. If you’re fantasizing about long afternoons of picking fresh fruit from your personal citrus grove, keep this in mind: The key to growing citrus is setting it up for success from the start.
Plant Type:
Subtropical Evergreen Fruit Tree
Harvest Season:
Winter, Spring, Year-round
Main citrus fruit production will take place in late winter through spring, but may produce throughout the year
Mature Size:
7-30 ft
Mature size varies by citrus tree type. Overall, citrus varieties can be grown in containers and maintained at smaller sizes.
Soil & Moisture:
Well-drained, high fertility and good moisture-holding capacity; High nitrogen demands. Regular watering throughout the first year and throughout flowering and fruiting season.
Light Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Shade
Overall, citrus prefers slightly shady areas and has better fruit production in part shade lighting conditions.
Self-Fertile:
Yes
Growth Rate:
Medium
Zone Hardiness:
Outdoors 8-11; Patio/Greenhouse 4+
Although their fruit provides a distinctly tropical twist to any drink or dish, Citrus trees trees are actually very cold hardy fruit trees, taking temperatures down to the low 20's!
Propagation:
Grafted and capable of producing fruit within 1 year.
See More:
Sow Exotic offers many different unique varieties of Citrus trees. Shop the Citrus Collection!
