Seville orange (bitter orange) Citrus × aurantium
Seville orange (bitter orange) (Citrus × aurantium) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Rutaceae family, native to Cultivated hybrid of pomelo and mandarin, from Southeast Asia. It grows 3–9 m (10–30 ft) tall and 3–6 m (10–20 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -5 °C (23 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
Plan Seville orange (bitter orange) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Seville orange (bitter orange) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Rutaceae |
| Mature height | 3–9 m (10–30 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -5 °C (23 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: fruit (for marmalade), peel, flowers (orange-blossom water) |
| Native to | Cultivated hybrid of pomelo and mandarin, from Southeast Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇬🇷 Greece |
Is Seville orange (bitter orange) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: peel, leaves
Citrus oils (psoralens, limonene) can upset cats and dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Seville orange (bitter orange)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Sweet orange: Asian citrus psyllid spreads huanglongbing (citrus greening) between citrus and relatives such as orange jasmine (Murraya). Keep new citrus away from infected or neglected hosts. Evidence B
Questions about Seville orange (bitter orange)
- How far apart should I plant Seville orange (bitter orange)?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–6 m (10–20 ft).
- Does Seville orange (bitter orange) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Seville orange (bitter orange) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Seville orange (bitter orange)?
- It tolerates about -5 °C (23 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Seville orange (bitter orange) flower?
- From about March for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Seville orange (bitter orange) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Citrus oils (psoralens, limonene) can upset cats and dogs.
- What grows well with Seville orange (bitter orange)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Seville orange (bitter orange). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Citrus Variety Collection, University of California, Riverside
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Street tree of Seville; the fruit goes into British marmalade, the flowers into neroli oil.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lemon tree (dwarf) Citrus limon
- Curry tree Murraya koenigii
- Kaffir lime Citrus hystrix
- Common rue Ruta graveolens
- Sweet orange Citrus x sinensis
- Mandarin orange Citrus reticulata
- Persian lime Citrus x latifolia
- Key lime Citrus x aurantiifolia