Are you ready to learn how to care for an indoor orange tree? Orange trees need the following to thrive:
8-12 hours of bright sunlight per day, but should be shaded from excessive hot sun during the summer.
Well-draining soil and an adequately draining container.
Frequent watering, adjusted to the individual tree and growing conditions.
An ideal daytime temperature of 68° F (20° C).
Cooler nighttime temperatures.
Humidity levels of 50% to 70%
Regular application of citrus fertilizer.
This guide will teach you everything you need to know about caring for your indoor orange tree. You’ll learn what type of pot and soil are best, how to water so the plant doesn’t start to drop leaves, and when it’s the best time to repot your orange tree.
Caring For An Orange Tree
Unless you live in a climate where citrus trees are able to grow outside all year round and thrive, an outdoor orange tree is very finicky to grow and most likely won’t produce any oranges. It’s a good thing that growing an indoor orange tree is so easy.
More and more people are using plants to brighten up their living space. Indoor orange trees are beautiful and not only make your home look good, they also have a lovely aroma that freshens the air. They have attractive glossy foliage and a wonderful flowery fragrance. If you’re lucky, and your orange tree likes its growing conditions, you’ll be able to pick your own oranges off the tree!
Choosing The Right Pot
Orange trees prefer pots that allow for good drainage and that also provide enough aeration for the roots of the plant.
Choose a pot that is made from non-porous materials so that it retains some moisture. These pots are also more lightweight, making it easier for you to move them outdoors and back in again. If you choose a terracotta, ceramic, or wooden pot you’ll need to carefully monitor the moisture of the soil so that the plant doesn’t dry out. No matter what pot you choose, it needs to have multiple holes for drainage.
When you first get your orange tree, start it out in a small pot and move it to a larger pot as it grows. Deep pots are better so that as the plant grows it doesn’t start to over-balance the pot and tip over.
Repotting your Orange Tree
In the first 12 months, your tree will need repotting into a larger container, the best time to do this is usually the spring. There aren’t any rules on how big the new pot should be but it’s always best to choose a deep one with drainage holes that will allow to tree roots to grow for at least another 1-2 years.
Some tips for repotting:
We advise that you withhold water for a couple of days in advance to allow the soil to dry out slightly.
Loosen the soil around the edge of the pot and pull the tree out by the base of the main stem.
Add some extra soil into the bottom of the new pot before you insert the plant. We recommend John Innes number two or three.
Fill in with a mix of soil and compost.
Water the plant thoroughly, and keep it well watered for several weeks.
Your tree will then need repotting every few years as it grows and continues to deplete the nutrients from the soil. If you’re unsure whether your tree is ready for a new home or not just ask yourself some of the questions below:
Does your orange plant look less healthy than it used to?
Does it seem to dry out quicker?
Are there roots growing out of the holes in the bottom of the pots or the top of the soil?
Has the citrus tree been in the same pot for two years or more?
Feeding and Fertilizing your Orange Tree
Most citrus varieties need a constant supply of nutrients throughout the year as they are heavy feeders. It’s important that your tree is getting the right nutrients at the right time.
What Soil Is Best For Orange Trees?
When it comes to soil, use a lightweight mix for indoor planters. Choose a soil mix that contains vermiculite or perlite. These are inorganic ingredients that can help promote aeration and drainage in the pot and around the roots of the plant. If you can’t find a soil mix with these ingredients you can buy them separately and add a small amount to the soil. Other items that can help with drainage and aeration are wood chips, course sand, and small pebbles.
Avoid using any soil mixtures that are designed to retain moisture. You want the water to run through the soil and out through the drainage holes, not become trapped in the pot so the roots are sitting in water.
How To Water An Orange Tree
Orange trees are quite picky about their watering conditions. Although there are some guidelines for watering orange trees, it comes down to monitoring your own plant. Check the soil regularly to see how dry it is. Follow a routine for watering on scheduled days. When you water, allow the water to thoroughly soak into the soil each time so it flows down to the root system and out through the drainage holes.
How often you water your indoor orange tree will depend on several things, such as the type of pot you’re using, the type of soil it’s planted in, and what time of year it is. The size of your orange tree will also play a role in how much and how often you water. Larger plants will need more water to sustain them.
Seasonal Watering
During the warmer spring and summer months, water your orange tree more frequently. Don’t overwater or leave the pot standing in water. Orange trees don’t like to be waterlogged. Overwatering can also lead to root rot. During the fall and winter months, water less frequently. Wait to water until the top inch of soil is dry. Then water thoroughly.
Orange trees also don’t like their roots to dry out completely. Once the roots are dry they will quickly start to die, making it hard to recover the plant. Feel the soil of the plant before watering, but as a general rule, watering once or twice a week during the warmer months should be sufficient for your orange tree. In winter, once or twice every two weeks should be adequate.
Water Temperature
When watering your orange tree always use water that is at a similar temperature to the plant. Using water that is too warm or cold can “shock” your orange tree.
Not a requirement, but if possible, water your orange tree with rain water. Rain water contains less dissolved minerals which can cause problems if your tap water is particularly hard.
Do Orange Trees Like Humidity?
Your orange tree likes a bit of humidity to make it feel like it’s in the tropics. Ideal humidity levels of 50% to 70% are best, which can be tricky to achieve naturally in an indoor space. Indoor heating in the winter can quickly dry out the leaves, stems, and branches.
You can replicate a tropical climate by misting the leaves, placing the pot on a humidity tray or using a humidifier.
Pruning an Orange Tree
Grafted orange trees grow more slowly meaning they will require very minimal pruning. If you do decide that your tree needs a bit of a trim then make sure to watch out for those sharp thorns!
For a late winter prune, you can remove any branches that are crossing over each other, unhealthy or broken. Then in summer all you need to do is pinch back to tips of the stems that are growing too long. This will limit their growth and encourage the fruiting side shoots to start growing.
Orange Tree Fruit and Flowers
Although oranges are evergreen they aren’t able to produce fruit as often as other citrus varieties like lemons and limes which are able to fruit up to 4 times a year. Oranges are limited
to fruiting just once a year and can take 7-12 months to ripen but don’t worry, they’re definitely worth the wait! The trees we stock are self-fertile, meaning they don’t need another tree to produce any fruit. However, it’s sometimes a good idea to give a bit of a helping hand and dusting pollen from one flower to another with a soft brush or cotton bud. Transferring the pollen between the blooms will allow for a higher yield of fruit.
When the tree is smaller it is completely normal for some of the fruit to drop from the tree when it has set. This happens when the yield is too much for the tree to maintain. As it can take a while for the fruits to ripen, you will find that the tree will sometimes have both fruit and flowers on it at the same time.
