Mexican Orange

How to grow Mexican Orange

Written by the GardenDecoded editorial team · Last reviewed 21 July 2026 · Written for UK gardens · How we research our guidance

Planting

Plant in spring in a sheltered position out of cold drying winds, which scorch the evergreen foliage. It does well against a wall and copes with some shade, though flowering is better in sun.

Pruning

Prune straight after the main flush of flower, cutting back to a healthy bud or shoot. Removing a proportion of the older stems each year keeps it dense. It reshoots from old wood, so overgrown plants can be cut hard back in late spring.

Propagation

Semi-ripe cuttings in late summer root readily.

Pests and diseases

Generally trouble-free. Snow load and hard frost can split or brown branches; cut the damage out in spring and it usually recovers.

Value to wildlife

Scented white flowers attract bees, and the evergreen structure gives year-round cover for small birds.

Notes

It commonly gives a second, lighter flush of flower in late summer or autumn, particularly after a good prune in early summer. The foliage is aromatic when crushed, so it is worth siting near a path or door.

This guidance was researched and written by GardenDecoded — see our editorial policy for how guides are checked and reviewed.

Other names for this plant

These names have all been used for Choisya ternata but are no longer the accepted name. You may still meet them on old labels, in books, or in nursery catalogues.

Others in Choisya