Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Fruit EdibleConservatory GreenhouseTrees

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

Other common names
bigarade
bitter orange
see moremarmalade orange
sour orange
Cleopatra mandarin
Synonyms
Citrus × aurantium subsp. myrtifolia
Citrus reshni
see moreCitrus × aurantium var. myrtifolia
Citrus natsudaidai
Citrus hybrida
Citrus bigaradia
Citrus kotokan
Citrus myrtifolia
Citrus grandis var. kotokan

Join the RHS

Become an RHS Member today and save 25% on your first year

Join now
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Green
Summer White Green Orange
Autumn Green Orange
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H3
Botanical details
Family
Rutaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
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 peat-free, loam-based potting compost 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

Pruning group 1

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.