Growing Citrus Trees in Redlands, CA
Citrus trees have a rich history in Redlands, CA, dating back to the late 1800s when the area was a hub for citrus farming, particularly oranges. The region’s Mediterranean climate—characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters—makes it ideal for growing a variety of citrus, including oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, and tangerines. This post has two parts, in the first part we talk about the top citrus varieties we recommend for Redlands, and in the second part we give you tips on how to grow the best tasting fruits on your trees.
Best Citrus 🍊 Varieties for Redlands, CA
🍊Washington Navel Orange – Sweet and seedless, this is one of the most famous oranges from the region. In 1870, the U.S. Department of Agriculture obtained a dozen cuttings from Bahia, Brazil and sent them to Eliza Tibbets, a pioneer citrus grower in Riverside, California. This variety typically ripens from November into late Spring and is known for its genetic mutation that causes a “navel” which is an undeveloped fruit at the end of the blossom, this mutation also causes the fruit to remain seedless which is a large reason for it’s success. This success lead to Riverside’s economic boom in the early 1900’s where it became the richest city in the US, boasting the highest per capita income for a period of time. The orange lead to innovations like refrigerated rail cars and innovations in irrigation, both widely used today. The parent navel is still alive in Riverside as of the writing of this post in March 2025.
🍊Valencia Orange – Valencia Oranges are named after Valencia, Spain and were developed by an agronomist named William Wolfskill in the 1800’s who became one of the wealthiest men in Southern California at the time. Wolfskill was also a pioneer in the wine industry in California who personally planted over 32,000 grape vines. After he developed the Valencia orange, it quickly became the most popular choice for juicing, ripening later in the season. Valencia’s remain the #1 orange variety in the world for juicing to this day because of their high juice content, balanced sweetness, and low bitterness. Other citrus varieties have been known to develop a bitterness after being juiced unlike the Valencia which keeps its sweet flavor after the juicing process. Valencias ripen in March through September which makes them one of the only orange varieties available in the summer season. A trait unique to Valencias is that they can re-green after ripening, the fruits will develop a partial green tinge even though they are fully ripe. The warm temperatures will trigger chlorophyll production in the skin of the fruit, this does not affect the sweetness or ripeness of the fruit.
🍋Meyer Lemon – A less acidic, sweeter lemon with thin skin. Fun fact, Meyer lemons are actually a hybrid and not a true lemon, this is why they have a sweeter, less acidic taste than regular lemons. Meyer lemons were first discovered in China and brought to the US in 1908 by Frank Meyer who worked for the US department of Agriculture. In the 1940’s, Meyer lemons were almost wiped out completely by a virus called Citrus Tristeza Virus, a type of Closterovirus. This led to the creation of a virus free version of the tree called the Improved Meyer Lemon, developed in the 1950’s. Another fun fact about Meyer lemons is that they have a highly fragrant and edible skin, the zest from this skin is less bitter than regular lemons making it a great choice for baking and cocktails. Meyer lemons are in season from November to March. Because of the shorter shelf life, they aren’t typically found at most grocery stores so your best bet is to try a local farmers market like Redlands’ Downtown’s Morning Market or the Farmers Market at the Grove School .
🍋Eureka Lemon – The classic lemon with a tangy, bright flavor. Another California born variety, Eureka lemons were discovered in Los Angeles in 1858 from seeds imported from Sicily, Italy. They became popular because this lemon variety produces fruits year round. Eureka lemons are the most popular lemon at grocery stores due to their thick skin making them ideal for shipping and shelf stability. Something great about Eureka lemon trees is that the branches grow without thorns, making them easier to harvest and preferred by commercial growers. Eureka lemons are considered “everbearing” which means they produce fruit year round but have peak production in winter and early summer. Eureka lemons have a thicker rind than other varieties, a dimpled texture, and a bumpy skin. The thicker skin and high essential oil content makes this another good lemon variety for zesting but with a slightly more bitter flavor than the previously mentioned Meyer lemon. Eureka lemons are one of the most widely grown lemon varieties in the world. A fun fact about Eureka lemons is that there is a pink fleshed variety called the “Pink Eureka Lemon”, this variety is pink due to a chemical called Lycopene which is also found in tomatoes and watermelons. The pink variety also has a unique variegated green an yellow striped skin.
🍋🟩Bearss Lime – A great lime variety for cooking and cocktails. Bearss Limes are also called “Persian Limes” and are one of the most popular lime varieties in the world. Bearss limes are special because they’re nearly seedless, larger than most limes, and have a much higher juice content. Unlike the citrus mentioned above, Bearss limes were discovered in Florida in the early 1900’s. These limes were named after T.P. Bearss, a citrus grower at the time. Although these limes are from Florida, they were later improved in California. Bearss limes are another thornless variety making them easy to harvest. A lesser known fact about Bearss limes is that they turn a pale yellow when fully ripe, this is when they have peak flavor. This is another everbearing citrus variety with peak seasons in summer and early winter.
🟡Ruby Red Grapefruit – A juicy, mildly sweet grapefruit with a hint of tartness. Ruby Red Grapefruit was discovered by accident! In 1929, a mutant branch on a white grapefruit tree in Texas started producing red-fleshed fruit instead of the usual pale yellow. This mutation led to the development of Ruby Red Grapefruit which became the first ever patented citrus fruit in the United States. This variety has a higher sugar content and lower acidity than other grapefruit varieties. This variety put Texas on the map for citrus production and became Texas’ state fruit, it is also responsible for some of the development of the Rio Grande Valley. Like the Pink Eureka Lemon, the pink color of the Ruby Red Grapefruit comes from the chemical Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. All grapefruits are hybrids of a Pomelo and Orange and were originally discovered in the Caribbean in the 18th century. The name “grapefruit” comes from the way the fruit grows in clusters like grapes. Weird fact about grapefruits, they contain furanocoumarins that inhibit CYP3A4 enzymes, which are crucial for metabolizing many medications in the small intestine, leading to increased drug levels and potential side effects.
🍊Gold Nugget Mandarin – An easy-to-peel, sweet, and seedless variety. Golden nugget mandarins were developed by citrus breeders at the University of California, Riverside, in the 1950’s. They were bred from Wilking and Kincy mandarins so that they could have outstanding sweetness and easy peeling. Gold nugget mandarins are one of the sweetest mandarin varieties and contain low acidity. They are almost entirely seedless and have a rough, pebbly texture similar to a nugget of gold which is how they got their name. This is a late season variety ripening in late spring and early summer (March through June) which helps extend the mandarin season when other mandarins are unavailable. They are a small to medium size tree making them ideal for backyard growing and container gardening. Gold nugget mandarins don’t dry out as easily as other citrus varieties, they hold their flavor well on the tree, and can stay fresh for weeks after being picked.
How to Grow the Best Tasting Citrus Fruits 😋🍋🍋🟩🍊
Location & Soil Preparation 📍🌎👩🌾
Choose a sunny location with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Ensure well-draining soil; citrus trees do not like standing water. If soil has heavy clay, amend it with organic compost and sand to improve drainage. Compost will also help with moisture retention if you have too much sand in your soil. Most Redlands soils have a high sand content, for more info on your soil type, check out our blog post from last week.
Plant trees on a slight mound to help prevent root rot.
Watering for Flavor & Juiciness 🍊🧃💧💦
Citrus trees need deep, infrequent watering. Water once or twice a week in summer and every 10–14 days in winter. This can vary depending on your soil type, in sandier soils especially on the North side of Redlands, 3 days per week on shorter cycles may be required.
Avoid overwatering, which can dilute the sugars in the fruit, making them bland.
Use drip irrigation or a soaker hose to keep moisture consistent. Consistent moisture is one of the best ways to achieve optimal fruit quality.
Fertilizing for Maximum Sweetness 🍨🍬🍊
Use a citrus-specific fertilizer with a balanced ratio of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), along with micronutrients like magnesium, iron, and zinc.
Apply fertilizer 3–4 times a year, beginning in late winter, spring, early summer, and early fall.
Avoid excessive nitrogen in late summer, as it encourages leafy growth instead of fruit sweetness.
Pruning & Thinning for Quality 🌿🌳🌿
Prune to open up the canopy, allowing sunlight to reach the fruit, which enhances sugar production.
Thin out excess fruit while small to concentrate energy on fewer, higher-quality fruits.
Remove any suckers growing from below the graft line, as they take energy away from fruiting branches.
Pest & Disease Management 🐛🐜🪲🦗
Watch for citrus leaf miners, aphids, and citrus psyllids (which can spread Huanglongbing, or citrus greening disease).
Use horticultural oils or beneficial insects (like ladybugs) to control pests naturally.
Keep an eye out for fungal diseases such as root rot or sooty mold and address them with proper drainage and pruning.
Harvesting at Peak Ripeness 👨🌾🍊🍋👩🌾🗓️
Unlike some fruits, citrus does not ripen off the tree, so picking at the right time is crucial.
Fruit should feel heavy for its size and be fully colored. Taste-testing is the best way to know when they’re at their sweetest.
Meyer lemons and mandarins tend to ripen earlier (late fall to winter), while Valencia oranges ripen into late spring and summer.
By following these tips, you can grow exceptionally flavorful, sweet, and juicy citrus in Redlands. If you need help with tree care, Cambium Tree Experts is here to assist with pruning, pest management, and expert tree health management.