1/10

Mexican Orange

About Mexican Orange

Mexican Orange is a shrub from SW USA and Mexico that prefers mild winter locations in full to part sun and protection from the hot afternoon sun. It grows in shrub form 4-8 feet tall and wide and can be used as a hedge or for privacy. Once established it is moderately tolerant of brief droughts.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Choisya ternata

Genus

Choisya

Family

Rutaceae

Order

Sapindales

Also known as

Mexican Orange Blossom, Mexican Orange Blossom and Mexican orange

How to care for Mexican Orange

💦 Water

How often to water your Mexican Orange

Mexican Orange needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Mexican Orange Blossom in your home

Mexican Orange love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Mexican Orange does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Mexican Orange in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Mexican Orange

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Mexican Orange: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Mexican Orange after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Mexican Orange is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

How to Grow Mexican Orange Blossom →

Benefits of Growing Mexican Orange Blossom →

Common Mexican Orange Blossom Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Mexican Orange Blossom →

💦 Water Needs

Mexican Orange prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Mexican Orange Blossom Water Frequency →

Mexican Orange Blossom Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Mexican Orange requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Mexican Orange Blossom Light Requirements →

Mexican Orange Blossom Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Mexican Orange is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

Is Mexican Orange Blossom Edible? →

Mexican Orange Blossom Toxicity to Cats →

Mexican Orange Blossom Toxicity to Dogs →

Mexican Orange Blossom Toxicity to Humans →

🪴 Soil

Mexican Orange does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Mexican Orange Blossom →

Best Pots for Mexican Orange Blossom →

When and How to Successfully Repot Mexican Orange Blossom →

What Are Healthy Mexican Orange Blossom Roots →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Mexican Orange grows along the ground and sends out shoots which will spread across the soil.

Mexican Orange Blossom Lifecycle →

Mexican Orange Blossom Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Mexican Orange Blossom →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Mexican Orange can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 7a-10b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Mexican Orange Blossom Temperature Tolerance →

Mexican Orange Blossom Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Mexican Orange Blossom →

When to Plant Mexican Orange Blossom →

How to Plant Mexican Orange Blossom →

Where to Plant Mexican Orange Blossom →

Winter Care for Mexican Orange Blossom →

Best Companion Plants for Mexican Orange Blossom →

Is Mexican Orange Blossom a Weed? →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Mexican Orange, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.