Citrus aurantium
The orange tree of Marrakech's squares and riads: dark foliage, heady orange blossom and deep orange fruit.
At a glance
Care
For each area, the instruction specific to this plant, then the general principle that explains why.
For this plant
A generous weekly watering in summer, fortnightly in spring and autumn, almost nothing in winter once established.
The principle
A moderate need asks for regularity rather than volume. Water when the top three to four centimetres feel dry: in practice weekly from May to September, every ten to fifteen days the rest of the year. Adjust for the pot — terracotta dries twice as fast as fibreglass.
For this plant
Full sun. It tolerates the light shade of a wall late in the day.
The principle
Full sun means six hours or more of direct light a day. These plants build thick foliage and dense tissue to cope with it; in insufficient light they stretch, lengthen their internodes and lose their compact habit. After buying or repotting, reintroduce direct sun gradually over ten to fifteen days to avoid scorch.
For this plant
Compost at the base in late winter, then citrus feed in April and July.
The principle
Moderate growth is fed once a month from March to September with a balanced liquid feed at the maker's dose. Water with plain water first, then feed: on dry substrate, concentrated fertiliser burns the fine roots. Nothing from October to February, the resting period.
For this plant
Withstands brief frost down to −5 °C, which makes it reliable in Fes and Meknes. Heat is never a concern.
The principle
This plant takes Moroccan heat peaks, chergui included, without lasting damage. Above 40 °C it simply pauses its growth: that is a protection, not a sign of distress. Cold exposes it more — watch winter nights at altitude and inland.
Yearly rhythm
Calendar derived from the plant's profile — water need, heat tolerance, environment and growth rate — applied to the Moroccan climate; adjust it to your city, your exposure and your substrate.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watering | Watering in January: Reduced | Watering in February: Reduced | Watering in March: Regular | Watering in April: Regular | Watering in May: Regular | Watering in June: Sustained | Watering in July: Sustained | Watering in August: Sustained | Watering in September: Sustained | Watering in October: Regular | Watering in November: Reduced | Watering in December: Reduced |
| Feeding | Feeding in January: Nothing to do | Feeding in February: Nothing to do | Feeding in March: Reduced | Feeding in April: Regular | Feeding in May: Regular | Feeding in June: Regular | Feeding in July: Regular | Feeding in August: Regular | Feeding in September: Reduced | Feeding in October: Nothing to do | Feeding in November: Nothing to do | Feeding in December: Nothing to do |
| Pruning | Pruning in January: Nothing to do | Pruning in February: Regular | Pruning in March: Regular | Pruning in April: Nothing to do | Pruning in May: Nothing to do | Pruning in June: Nothing to do | Pruning in July: Nothing to do | Pruning in August: Nothing to do | Pruning in September: Nothing to do | Pruning in October: Nothing to do | Pruning in November: Nothing to do | Pruning in December: Nothing to do |
Morocco
Our observations city by city, crossed with the local climate. A city that is missing is not a refusal: it simply has not been documented for this plant yet.
Thrives
Well suited
Possible with care
We deliver to all of these cities.
Diagnosis
The three most common disorders on a plant with this profile, and the move that corrects them.
What you see
Dry brown leaf tips and edges, foliage that droops late in the day and recovers overnight.
Likely cause
Alternating neglect and compensation: the root ball dries out completely, then receives too much at once.
The right move
Fix one watering day a week and check with a finger before you pour. Trim brown parts with scissors, following the leaf's shape; they will not turn green again.
What you see
Stems stretching towards the window, long internodes, new leaves smaller and paler.
Likely cause
Not enough light. A full-sun plant three metres from a window receives less than a tenth of what it asks for.
The right move
Move it to the brightest glazing or out onto a balcony, reacclimatising it to direct sun over two weeks. Cut back the stretched shoots: it will regrow compact.
What you see
Grey dust on the foliage, growth slowing with no obvious cause.
Likely cause
A dusty blade captures markedly less light, and city dust in Morocco builds up fast.
The right move
Wipe the leaves with a damp sponge every month, upper and lower surfaces. Avoid leaf-shine products, which block the stomata.
Take the step
Every available size, the premium setup and delivery across Morocco are on the product page.
Journal
The journal articles that mention it.
45 °C in summer, possible winter frost, very dry air: the palette that thrives in the red city, indoors and in the garden.
7 min read
