Description
Cara Cara is a pink-fleshed navel orange discovered as a natural mutation of Washington Navel. It is prized for its sweet, low-acid flavor and distinctive rose-colored interior, offering a visually striking alternative to standard navels.
Unlike blood oranges, Cara Cara’s color comes from lycopene rather than anthocyanins and does not depend on cold winter nights to develop. This gives the fruit consistent internal color across a wide range of growing conditions while maintaining the smooth, seedless eating quality navels are known for.
Ripening in mid-winter, Cara Cara is best enjoyed fresh. Its gentle sweetness and lack of bitterness make it especially appealing for those who want something different from a traditional navel without the sharper profile of blood oranges.
Overview
- Pink-fleshed navel orange with stable internal color.
- Sweet, smooth flavor with very low bitterness.
- Seedless fruit ideal for fresh eating.
- Mid-winter ripening season.
- Self-fertile.
Growing Details
Botanical Name: Citrus sinensis ’Cara Cara’
Origin: Natural bud mutation of Washington Navel discovered in Venezuela
Site and Soil: Full sun; well-drained soil
Rootstock: 1-gallon trees on Flying Dragon; larger sizes on C-35
Hardiness: Best suited to USDA Zones 8–11; fruit damage often begins around ~26°F, with increased risk to the tree during prolonged cold below this range
Bearing Age: Often fruits immediately; grafted trees may produce in their first season
Size at Maturity:
• Flying Dragon: Compact, container-friendly habit
• C-35: Compact to medium-sized citrus tree
Note: Final size is influenced by pruning and container culture.
Bloom Time: Spring (timing varies by climate)
Ripening Time: Mid-winter; typically December to February depending on region
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile
Pests & Diseases: Similar to other sweet oranges; good airflow and drainage help reduce issues
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Cara Cara is one of the easiest ways to add visual interest to a citrus collection. The pink flesh surprises first-time growers while retaining the familiar sweetness of a navel orange.
- Regional Insight: Because its color does not depend on cold nights, Cara Cara performs consistently across a wide range of citrus-growing regions.
- Explore more orange varieties in our collection: Orange Trees
