Cara Cara Orange

Citrus sinensis 'Cara Cara'
Categories:
Citrus  ·  
Oranges
Light
Full sun
Water
Deep, regular irrigation; not drought tolerant. Water established trees to about 2–3 feet deep beneath and beyond the canopy, allowing the upper few inches of soil to dry between irrigations. Increase frequency during extreme summer heat and reduce in winter; newly planted trees need more frequent watering.
Size
12-15 ft tall × 10-12 ft wide
Habit
Upright tree – single-trunk
Toxicity
Toxic — Pets & Humans
Description
A sweet navel orange with distinctive pink-red flesh, few to no seeds, and fragrant spring blossoms; well suited to Phoenix with proper irrigation and heat protection.
Bloom Time
Spring (February to April)
Deciduous / Evergreen
Evergreen
Special Features
Attracts Bees / Pollinators, Fragrant
Growth Rate
Moderate
Growth Habit
Upright tree – single-trunk
Mature Size
12-15 ft tall × 10-12 ft wide
Flower Color
White
Foliage Color
Dark green
Landscape Use
Container / Patio, Edible / Orchard, Specimen / Accent
Garden Style
Edible Garden, Pollinator / Wildlife
Soil
Alkaline Tolerant, Sandy / Rocky, Well-Drained
Companion Plants
Calendula, Dill attract beneficial insects, Seasonal sweet alyssum
Toxic — Pets & Humans
Fruit edible for humans; peel, leaves, and seeds toxic to pets
Care Instructions

Light: Full sun, ideally at least 6–8 hours daily; young trees benefit from protection from intense western afternoon sun.

Water: Deep, regular irrigation; not drought tolerant. Water established trees to about 2–3 feet deep beneath and beyond the canopy, allowing the upper few inches of soil to dry between irrigations. Increase frequency during extreme summer heat and reduce in winter; newly planted trees need more frequent watering.

Soil: Well-drained soil; sandy loam is ideal. Tolerates moderately alkaline soil, but Phoenix soils may cause nutrient deficiencies. Keep the root flare above grade and avoid persistently wet soil.

Mature size: Typically 15–25 feet tall and 12–20 feet wide on standard rootstock; dwarfing rootstocks commonly keep trees around 8–12 feet tall and wide.

Bloom: Typically late winter through spring in Phoenix, primarily February–April; fruit generally ripens December–April, depending on conditions.

Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.

Growth rate: Moderate with adequate water and nutrition.