How do I keep a Citrus sinensis, Washington Navel Orange tree alive indoors? - Ask Extension
My partner and I have just moved into a new apartment and bought a housewarming plant. We love this little tree but it has started to lose leaves! Wha...
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How do I keep a Citrus sinensis, Washington Navel Orange tree alive indoors? #893741
Asked March 06, 2025, 11:34 AM EST
My partner and I have just moved into a new apartment and bought a housewarming plant. We love this little tree but it has started to lose leaves! What can we do to give this navel orange tree the best life we can inside an apartment?
Washington County Oregon
Expert Response
Thank you for your question, Bo. I suspect that your plant is dropping its leaves for one (or more) of several reasons. First, these plants need direct sunlight, and the light that comes through our "modern" windows doesn't have either ultraviolet nor infrared parts of the light spectrum. (They're filtered out by the coatings on today's homes' windows.) Since it's too cold to put it outside, obtaining a grow lamp to place above the plant, and keep at least 6-8 hours of light on it should help.
Although these plants can tolerate a low temperature of 20-30, they do best in warm climates. Once the temperatures get above 45 - 50 degrees at night, you can take it outside to get full sun, but keep it in a sheltered spot, so the wind doesn't cause excessive drying out.
As it is, the plant may not be getting enough water--which is necessary for the plant to create flowers and fruit. I suggest you obtain a cheap soil water meter, so you know when it is drying out. The plant also requires a relatively large amount of nutrients (contained in "plant food"), and a deficiency of those results in yellowing leaves, which eventually fall off.
If you read the following Extension article on this species, you can gain some other helpful care information: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/citrus-x-sinensis/
Good luck!
Although these plants can tolerate a low temperature of 20-30, they do best in warm climates. Once the temperatures get above 45 - 50 degrees at night, you can take it outside to get full sun, but keep it in a sheltered spot, so the wind doesn't cause excessive drying out.
As it is, the plant may not be getting enough water--which is necessary for the plant to create flowers and fruit. I suggest you obtain a cheap soil water meter, so you know when it is drying out. The plant also requires a relatively large amount of nutrients (contained in "plant food"), and a deficiency of those results in yellowing leaves, which eventually fall off.
If you read the following Extension article on this species, you can gain some other helpful care information: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/citrus-x-sinensis/
Good luck!
