Cara Cara Orange, Navel Orange, Cara Cara Navel Orange, Red Fleshed Navel Orange
Citrus × sinensis ‘Cara Cara’, commonly known as the Cara Cara orange, is a stunning and delicious variety of navel orange. What sets it apart is its vivid pink-red flesh, a result of natural lycopene pigmentation. Discovered in Venezuela in 1976, this sweet, seedless fruit quickly became a favorite for its berry-like flavor and impressive nutritional profile. Perfect for eating fresh or juicing, Cara Cara oranges are a visual and culinary delight that bring color and flavor to any citrus lover’s garden or table.
Oranges belong to the citrus family Rutaceae, which includes other popular citrus fruits such as grapefruit, lemon, pomelo, clementine, mandarin, tangerine, calamansi, kumquat, Kaffir lime, Persian lime, and Key lime.
This medium-sized fruit looks like a typical orange on the outside, with a bright, smooth rind. Inside, it reveals beautifully pigmented salmon-pink to crimson flesh. The fruit is seedless, juicy, and exceptionally sweet with a subtle tang and flavor notes reminiscent of cherry, rose, and blackberry.
The Cara Cara orange was first found as a spontaneous mutation on a Washington navel orange tree in Venezuela. It is now widely cultivated in California and other citrus-growing regions worldwide.
This evergreen tree grows in a rounded, upright shape with glossy, dark green leaves and sweet-smelling white blossoms. It’s a beautiful and productive addition to gardens or patios.
A mature Cara Cara orange tree typically reaches 15–20 feet tall and 10–15 feet wide on the ground, with the potential to grow larger in ideal conditions. Container-grown trees will be smaller, often 6–8 feet (1.8–2.4 meters) tall and wide, depending on pruning and pot size.
Fragrant white flowers bloom in spring and attract pollinators such as bees. These star-shaped blossoms are ornamental and signal fruiting to come.
Cara Cara trees bloom in spring, and fruits are typically harvested between December and February, depending on the region.
The fruit is round to slightly oval, with bright orange skin and pink-red flesh. It’s seedless, juicy, and sweet with low acidity. Cara Cara is prized for its complex flavor and vibrant color, making it a standout in salads, juices, and desserts.
Glossy, evergreen, lance-shaped leaves create a lush canopy and give off a faint citrus scent when crushed.
USDA zones 9–11. Cara Cara oranges are moderately cold-tolerant but need protection from hard frost. In cooler climates, they perform well in large containers moved indoors in winter.
While the fruit is edible, essential oils in the skin and leaves (limonene, linalool) can cause contact dermatitis or mild poisoning in humans and are toxic to cats, dogs, and horses. The fruit itself is safe for humans, but the plant should be kept away from pets.
| Nutrient | Amount (per 100g) | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 47–52 kcal | 2% |
| Carbohydrates | 12–13 g | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 68–135 mg | 75–150% |
| Fiber | 2.4–3 g | 9–11% |
| Potassium | 174–260 mg | 5–6% |
| Vitamin A | 225 IU | 4% |
| Folate (B9) | 30–40 mcg | 8–10% |
| Lycopene | 2,500–5,000 µg | — |
DV = Daily Value based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
Cara Cara oranges are a nutritional powerhouse packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and natural sweetness. Their vibrant pink-red flesh comes from lycopene, a rare antioxidant in citrus that adds extra health benefits to every juicy bite.
| Benefit | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Boosts Immunity | High in vitamin C, Cara Cara oranges help fortify immune function and reduce the duration of colds. |
| Supports Heart Health | Fiber and potassium help maintain blood pressure and heart rhythm, while antioxidants reduce inflammation. |
| Protects Skin | Vitamin C boosts collagen production and protects skin from oxidative damage and early aging. |
| Enhances Eye Health | Vitamin A and carotenoids like lycopene support vision and reduce the risk of age-related eye issues. |
| Improves Digestion | Soluble fiber promotes healthy gut flora and smooth digestion. |
| Boosts Iron Absorption | Vitamin C increases iron uptake from plant-based foods, helping prevent anemia. |
| Reduces Inflammation | Lycopene, hesperidin, and naringenin offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidant protection. |
Cara Cara orange trees require full sun exposure—at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily—to thrive and produce flavorful fruit. Indoors, supplement with grow lights if natural sunlight is insufficient.
These trees prefer well-drained loamy or sandy soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0). Avoid heavy, compacted, or waterlogged soils as they can lead to root diseases.
Water deeply once or twice a week during the growing season, allowing the top inch (2.5 cm) of soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering leads to root rot. Mature trees may need less frequent watering depending on rainfall and soil type.
Feed with a balanced citrus fertilizer rich in nitrogen, magnesium, and iron. Apply 3–4 times a year during active growth, especially in spring and summer. Reduce or stop feeding in fall and winter.
Prune lightly after fruiting to remove dead or crossing branches and shape the canopy. Avoid cutting flowering wood, which bears next season’s fruit.
Apply mulch around the tree base to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, but keep mulch at least 12 inches (30 cm) away from the trunk to prevent rot.
Cara Cara oranges typically ripen in mid-winter, from December through February, depending on your climate. The fruit is ready to pick when the skin turns deep orange, and the fruit feels firm and aromatic.
| Hardiness |
9 - 11 |
|---|---|
| Climate Zones | 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
| Plant Type | Fruits, Trees |
| Plant Family | Rutaceae |
| Genus | Citrus |
| Common names | Navel Orange |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
| Height | 6' - 20' (180cm - 6.1m) |
| Spread | 8' - 15' (240cm - 4.6m) |
| Maintenance | Average |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers |
| Garden Styles | Mediterranean Garden |
| Hardiness |
9 - 11 |
|---|---|
| Climate Zones | 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
| Plant Type | Fruits, Trees |
| Plant Family | Rutaceae |
| Genus | Citrus |
| Common names | Navel Orange |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
| Height | 6' - 20' (180cm - 6.1m) |
| Spread | 8' - 15' (240cm - 4.6m) |
| Maintenance | Average |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Loam, Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries |
| Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers |
| Garden Styles | Mediterranean Garden |
How many Citrus x sinensis ‘Cara Cara’ (Navel Orange) do I need for my garden?
| Plant | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|
| Citrus x sinensis ‘Cara Cara’ (Navel Orange) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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