Mexican Orange Blossom Plant Care

Mexican Orange Blossom (Choisya ternata) belongs to the Rutaceae family within the Choisya genus. Mexican Orange Blossom is native to Mexico. Mexican Orange Blossom is also known as Mexican Orange, Mock Orange, Orange Blossom.

Mexican Orange Blossom displays a compact, bushy growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Mexican Orange Blossom produces white, fragrant, clustered inflorescence.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Mexican Orange Blossom every 5–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Mexican Orange Blossom thrives in full sun.

Choisya ternata tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Mexican Orange Blossom prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining soil mix. Good drainage is essential for Mexican Orange Blossom to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Mexican Orange Blossom every month during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining soil mix. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Mexican Orange Blossom is suited to USDA Zone 7a – 10b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Mexican Orange Blossom can spread to about 6 ft (1.8 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 6 ft (1.8 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Mexican Orange Blossom while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Mexican Orange Blossom is hardy down to USDA zone 7a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Mexican Orange Blossom can be propagated through softwood cuttings.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Mexican Orange Blossom is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Mexican Orange Blossom grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Mexican Orange Blossom is native to Mexico.