Does it need full sun?

It thrives in full sun but appreciates some afternoon shade in hotter climates.

How often should I prune it?

Prune lightly immediately after the main spring flowering to maintain shape.

Plant guide

Mexican orange blossom.

Choisya ternata

Pronounced CHOY-zee-uh ter-NAY-tuh

Also known as Mexican Mock Orange, Mexican Orange, Mexican Orange Blossom, Mexican-orange, Mexican-orangeblossom

Mexican orange — Photo by zebedeugalinha (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This lovely evergreen shrub brings a wonderful citrus scent to your garden with its white, star shaped flowers. It is a hardy plant that stays lush and green throughout the year. You will love how it fills your space with fragrance in the spring.

Another photo of Mexican orange blossom — Photo by camacho diaz (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Evergreen shrub
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 6 to 8 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 7 to 10
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Plant it in well draining soil and keep it sheltered from harsh, drying winds. Watch for yellowing leaves which can indicate poor drainage or too much water. A light trim after flowering helps keep the shape tidy.

Watering: Water deeply when the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Prune lightly immediately after flowering to encourage a bushier habit.
Repotting: Repot only when the roots have filled the container or the growth slows significantly.
Soil: Well draining, fertile loam
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acidic
Temperature: -10 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 15 to 20 years
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in

Safety

People: All parts of the plant are considered toxic if ingested and may cause skin irritation upon contact.
Pets: This plant is considered toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant away from small children as ingestion of leaves or flowers can cause stomach upset.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The strongly scented flowers may trigger mild respiratory irritation in some people.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for consumption.

How to identify it

Glossy, dark green trifoliate leaves
Fragrant, white star shaped flowers
Dense, rounded evergreen shrub habit
Citrus scented foliage when crushed

Height: 1.5 to 2.5m
Spread: 1.5 to 2.5m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: white, 2 to 4cm

Problems to watch for

Root rot · Occurs in poorly drained soils that stay too wet.
Leaf spot · Fungal spots appearing on foliage during humid, stagnant conditions.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: In colder regions, provide a thick layer of mulch around the base to protect roots. If grown in a pot, move it to a sheltered location or unheated greenhouse during hard freezes.
In containers: It grows well in large containers, provided they have excellent drainage and at least 40 liters of volume.

Semi-ripe cuttings

Take 10cm cuttings in late summer.
Remove lower leaves and dip the base in rooting hormone.
Place in a pot with gritty compost and cover with a plastic bag.
Keep in a bright spot out of direct sun until rooted.

Pair with plants that prefer similar neutral to slightly acidic, well drained soil conditions.

Grows well with

Lavender · They share similar sun and drainage requirements.
Cistus · These drought tolerant shrubs provide a nice textural contrast.

Similar species

Choisya 'Aztec Pearl' · It has narrower, more delicate looking foliage.

Science

Family: Rutaceae
Genus: Choisya
Order: Sapindales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Highlands of Mexico.
Conservation: Not of conservation concern.

It grows as an understory shrub in its native habitat, relying on dappled light and well drained soils.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental shrub, hedging, container plant

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 6/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: It thrives in full sun but appreciates some afternoon shade in hotter climates.
How often should I prune it?: Prune lightly immediately after the main spring flowering to maintain shape.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Choisya honors the Swiss botanist Jacques Denis Choisy, while ternata refers to the leaves growing in threes.

Good to know

It belongs to the Rutaceae family, the same family as citrus trees.
The leaves are trifoliate, meaning they grow in groups of three.
It can often produce a second, lighter flush of flowers in autumn.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.