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Citrus sinensis ‘Washington Navel’ – Washington Navel Orange Tree

About Your New Citrus sinensis ‘Washington Navel’ – Washington Navel Orange Tree

Citrus sinensis 'Washington Navel' is the standard seedless eating orange, an evergreen tree with a dense rounded to slightly upright canopy of glossy green leaves. The fruit is large, easy to peel and richly sweet. Fragrant white flowers open in spring, and the tree carries foliage and structure through every season.

Plant it in full sun in well drained soil and water consistently while the tree establishes and while fruit is sizing. It grows roughly 30 to 60 centimetres a year and suits warm temperate, Mediterranean and subtropical districts as well as sheltered coastal gardens. Established trees take light to moderate frost and moderate dry spells.

This is the orange for a backyard orchard, an edible garden bed or a courtyard where one productive tree has to do a lot of work. It also holds a clipped outline well enough for a formal kitchen garden. Reliable cropping and a manageable size are why it remains the most planted navel in the country.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Washington Navel Orange

What is a Washington Navel orange?

'Washington Navel' is the most widely planted navel orange in Australia, named for the small secondary fruit at the base that resembles a navel. It produces large seedless oranges with thick skin that peels by hand and sweet, low acid flesh. The tree is evergreen with a dense canopy and fragrant white spring blossom.

How big does a Washington Navel orange tree grow?

In the ground it commonly reaches about 3 to 4 metres tall with a spread near 3 metres, forming a dense rounded to slightly upright head. Pruning after harvest holds it lower without affecting cropping much. Trees grown in large containers usually stay under 2 metres, which suits courtyards and paved terraces.

How fast does it grow?

Around 30 to 60 centimetres a year once established, with the strongest growth in the first few seasons while the framework builds. Growth slows as the tree starts carrying heavy crops. Warmth, regular deep watering and two feeds a year make the difference, while cold, dry or compacted soil will slow it considerably.

When are navel oranges ready to pick?

Washington Navel is an early to mid season variety. Flowers open in spring and fruit ripens through winter, generally from about June into September depending on district. Fruit holds on the tree for weeks after colouring, so pick as you need it. Left well past ripeness the flesh dries out and loses flavour.

Does it need another tree to pollinate?

No. Washington Navel sets fruit without pollination, which is exactly why the oranges are seedless. A single tree crops reliably on its own, so there is no need to plant a partner. Poor fruit set is nearly always down to water stress, lack of nutrition, frost at flowering or too much shade.

Is it suitable for coastal gardens?

It grows well in coastal districts provided it is sheltered from direct salt laden wind by a fence, wall or hedge. Sandy coastal soils drain freely, which citrus likes, but they need generous compost and mulch to hold moisture and nutrition. Front line beachfront exposure is too harsh for citrus of any kind.

How do I care for a Washington Navel orange tree?

Water deeply once or twice a week through the warm months and less over winter, mulching the root zone but not the trunk. Feed with a complete citrus fertiliser in early spring and late summer. Prune lightly after harvest to open the canopy, remove suckers below the graft, and watch for scale, aphids and citrus leaf miner.

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Uses in my Garden

  • Edible Garden
  • Feature Tree
  • Plant in Pots (or) Suitable for Pots

Citrus sinensis ‘Washington Navel’ – Washington Navel Orange Tree works in an:

  • Edible Garden – integrates fruit, herbs, and productive plants.
  • Mediterranean Style Garden – timeless courtyard look with stone, pots, and bold greenery.

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Planting Information

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