Citrus × aurantium (F)
Seville orange
A spiny tree, with rounded crown and mid green leaves 7-10cm long. From late spring to summer it bears fragrant white flowers 2cm across singly, in pairs or clusters that are followed by slightly flattened-spherical, red-tinted orange fruit 5-7cm in diameter
Synonyms
Citrus × aurantium subsp. myrtifoliaCitrus reshni
see moreCitrus × aurantium var. myrtifolia
Citrus natsudaidai
Citrus hybrida
Citrus bigaradia
Citrus kotokan
Citrus myrtifolia
Citrus grandis var. kotokan
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | Orange | |
| Autumn | Green | Orange | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Rutaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Fruit harmful to skin with sunlight/skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Citrus are typically evergreen shrubs or trees, frequently spiny, with simple, leathery, aromatic leaves, usually with winged stalks, and often fragrant white or pink-tinged flowers, followed by large, juicy fruits
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- SE Asia
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow as a conservatory or greenhouse plant, in a container of loam-based potting compost (JI No. 2) with added grit, in full light, with shade from hot sun. In growth during spring and summer, water freely, and mist daily. Apply fertilisers formulated for citrus, throughout the year, following the manufacturer’s instructions; water sparingly in winter. See citrus cultivation for further information
Propagation
Propagate by seed (seedlings will not come true to type) or semi-ripe cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Architectural
- Patio and container plants
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to citrus red spider mite and glasshouse red spider mite, soft scale and fluted scale, aphids, caterpillars and mealybugs under glass
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.