Bitter Orange Plant Care

Bitter Orange (Citrus ×aurantium) belongs to the Rutaceae family within the Citrus genus. Bitter Orange is native to Southern Vietnam. Bitter Orange is also known as Seville Orange, Sour Orange, Bigarade Orange.

Bitter Orange displays an upright, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Bitter Orange produces white fragrant flowers..

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Bitter 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.

Bitter Orange thrives in full sun.

Citrus ×aurantium tolerates temperatures of 55–85°F. Bitter Orange prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

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

Feed Bitter Orange every 2 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 soil mix. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Bitter Orange is suited to USDA Zone 9a – 11b.

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.

Bitter Orange can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 20 ft (6 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 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 Bitter 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.

Bitter Orange is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Bitter Orange can be propagated through stem cuttings or grafting. Similar propagation techniques also apply to lemon tree plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Bitter 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.

Bitter Orange grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Bitter Orange is native to Southern Vietnam. In cooler regions, grow Bitter Orange as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.