Blood orange season is mostly in the winter that is because they rely on certain kinds of weather to develop its distinctive red flesh. Here are other things to remember about the blood orange season:
Orange fruit season
Most blood oranges are in season and ready for harvest from December to May. Low temperature plays a part in the darkness of the red color of blood orange. The more cold weather has passed, the more pigment will develop and bloodier your orange will be. However, some cultivars of blood orange can yield fruit in autumn or early spring. The two most popular varieties are the dark-fleshed Moro which is available from December to March and the delicately flavored Tarocco which is available in the market from January to May.
In choosing a fruit to eat, pick blood oranges that are firm to touch and heavy for their size. Take note that a brownish area on the skin has no effect on its flavor or quality but do avoid ones with mold or spongy spots. Oranges don’t continue ripening once you pick them, so leave the fruit on the tree until the time you plan to use them. The blood orange fruit can last 4 to 6 weeks in the refrigerator.
Orange planting season
It is best to plant a blood orange tree in the spring or autumn but it can also be planted on any season except the warm months. It requires full sun and cool winter that is not more than light frost to grow well. The blood orange tree grows up to 3-8 meters and can also do well in a pot with loamy soil.
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first year to establish a deep, extensive root system. After that, you may reduce or increase the amount and frequency of watering based on the climate. In hot seasons, it requires 4 to 6 inches of water every month. Keep in mind that this is a medium growing plant and may take 2 to 3 years before it yields fruits.
Orange blooming season
Blood oranges bloom with white fragrant flowers in spring or winter. Most of its pollination is assisted by bees. Flowers will appear from small shoots that originate where the leaves meet the stem. You should take extra careful if blooms appear in winter since frost can typically destroy its flowers. You may bring your blood orange tree indoors during this season or cover it with blanket. Placing an incandescent light bulb beneath the cover can provide the tree with the warmth it needs through the winter. You may also opt to place your potted tree in a heated room.
In addition, a blood orange tree needs an annual dosage of citrus fertilizer in half the recommended strength. It should be applied to the plant at least once a month except during winter. It will also respond well to a foliar feeding of a water-soluble fertilizer applied as a spray. Choose a fertilizer that is rich in iron, manganese and zinc.
When are blood oranges in season?
Blood oranges are a winter-to-spring fruit. In the Northern Hemisphere the main season runs roughly December to May, peaking in late winter; in the Southern Hemisphere it falls around June to October. The exact timing depends on the variety and, crucially, on how cold the ripening period is.
Blood orange varieties and their seasons
| Variety | Character | Season (N. Hemisphere) |
|---|---|---|
| Moro | Earliest; deepest, most intense red; bold, slightly berry-like | December–March |
| Tarocco | Mid-season; sweetest, low acid, often seedless; moderate blush | January–May |
| Sanguinello | Late; sweet, few seeds, keeps well on the tree | February–April/May |
Why cold weather makes blood oranges red
The red flesh comes from anthocyanin pigments, and these only develop when the fruit ripens through cool nights. The colder the ripening period (without hard frost), the deeper and more consistent the red. In warm tropical climates blood oranges often stay pale orange inside with little or no blush — which is why the best-coloured fruit comes from Mediterranean-type climates with cold winters (Sicily, California, parts of Australia and Spain).
Northern vs Southern Hemisphere
Because it’s a cool-season citrus, the calendar flips between hemispheres: expect blood oranges roughly December–May in the Northern Hemisphere and June–October in the Southern Hemisphere. Local climate shifts these windows by several weeks.
Ripening on the tree vs availability in shops
Like all citrus, blood oranges do not ripen after picking — they’re left on the tree until ready, then shipped soon after, so shop availability closely tracks the harvest season above. Choose fruit that feels firm and heavy for its size.
Quick questions
What months are blood oranges in season? Mainly December–May in the Northern Hemisphere (June–October in the Southern), depending on variety and climate.
Why is my blood orange not red inside? It probably ripened in a climate without cool enough nights — anthocyanin (the red pigment) needs cold to develop.
Related guides
- Types of orange · growing an orange from seed · growing a lemon tree
- Pruning fruit trees · why citrus won’t fruit
For guidance on choosing the right feed, see our fertilizer guide.
Browse our other fruit growing guides for related trees and berries.
