The Best Sweet Oranges to Grow in a Pot
An orange tree can make a very appealing and colorful house plant.
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1 Hybrid Citrus Names
2 What Kind of Lime Trees Are Available?
3 The Best Dwarf Citrus Trees
4 Difference Between Orange Trees & Tangerine Trees
Orange trees (Citrus sinensis) make delightful ornamental plants and, as an added bonus, can produce sweet fruits for members of the household. There are several varieties which will grow well in indoor containers in a room with bright sunlight and south-facing windows. The type selected will depend on space, sweetness of the fruit, and visual appeal. Some, such as the Calamondin, have beautiful foliage and delightful colorful fruits but are just too tart for consumption as is.
Dwarf Washington Navel
This miniature orange tree was originally introduced in Florida, but the conditions there resulted in a underdeveloped fruit that failed to thrive in that part of the country. California proved to be a much more fertile location and this Washington navel now thrives here both indoors and out. A seedless, easy-to-peel variety, this succulent fruit is sporadically harvested in the fall and winter. This small tree produces the largest orange and is one of the best varieties for indoor growing.
The Mandarin orange tree produces a fruit that is very similar to Clementine oranges. Many know this particular orange as a canned fruit but the fresh variety is juicy and sweet for salads and snacking. The Satsuma tree, originally from Japan, produces what is commonly known as a type of mandarin orange that is very appealing because it is very small, sweet and easy to peel. The tree is disease-resistant, and its white flowers make a lovely ornamental addition to any sunlit room.
The Valencia
The Valencia orange tree, believed to have originated in China, produces a thinner, smooth-skinned fruit. The oranges are very juicy and do have seeds. If you own a juicer, this is an excellent source of orange juice or an addition to any citrus cocktail beverage. These trees are very disease- and pest-resistant and are among the hardiest of all orange trees. This fruit was historically one of the most popular of oranges grown until other varieties gained in popularity within the last 20 years.
The Blood Moro
The Blood Moro orange tree is highly ornamental and produces a fruit with reddish-orange pulp and minimal seeds and a slight raspberry flavor. The color of this particular orange comes from a pigment known as anthocyanin, an antioxidant that combats the free radicals which can contribute to cancer and aging. It is a tasty snack but also works exceptionally well in salads and as a plate garnish. The tree grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet.
University of California Riverside: Citrus Variety Collection
Produce Oasis: Valencia Orange
Harlow Gardens: Citrus Varieties
Four Winds Growers: Citrus Variety Info Chart
Sunkist: Citrus and Products
The Weekend Gardener: Create an Orangery - Grow Citrus Indoors
Larry's Orchids & Tropicals: Moro Blood Orange Tree
Faber, Sheryl. "The Best Sweet Oranges to Grow in a Pot." Home Guides | SF Gate, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/sweet-oranges-grow-pot-36623.html. Accessed 18 January 2020.
Faber, Sheryl. (n.d.). The Best Sweet Oranges to Grow in a Pot. Home Guides | SF Gate. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/sweet-oranges-grow-pot-36623.html
Faber, Sheryl. "The Best Sweet Oranges to Grow in a Pot" accessed January 18, 2020. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/sweet-oranges-grow-pot-36623.html
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