Chinese Box Orange Plant Care

Chinese Box Orange (Citrus lucida) belongs to the Rutaceae family within the Citrus genus. Chinese Box Orange is native to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and the island of Java, Indonesia.

Chinese Box Orange displays a small to medium-sized evergreen tree growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Chinese Box Orange produces fragrant white flowers with waxy petals.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Chinese Box Orange every 7–14 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.

Chinese Box Orange thrives in full sun.

Citrus lucida tolerates temperatures of 55–85°F. Chinese Box Orange prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Chinese Box Orange to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Chinese Box Orange every 4 months 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 sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Chinese Box Orange is suited to USDA Zone 12b.

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.

Chinese Box Orange can spread to about 10 ft (3 m) and reach about 15 ft (5 m) tall. Space plants about 10 ft (3 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 Chinese Box Orange 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.

Chinese Box Orange is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Chinese Box Orange can be propagated through seeds, grafting, air-layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to lemon tree plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Chinese Box Orange is susceptible to citrus leafminer, citrus whitefly, aphids, scale insects. 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.

Chinese Box Orange grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 12b. Chinese Box Orange is native to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and the island of Java, Indonesia. In cooler regions, grow Chinese Box Orange as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.