Ruby Red Grapefruit (Citrus × paradisi)
⚠ Citrus ships to Florida only ⚠
The gem of all citrus varieties is Ruby Red Grapefruit (Citrus X paradisi). It was once described as the “forbidden fruit” of Barbados, treated like an unnatural mutation of the shaddock or pummelo, and cut down rather than purposefully cultivated. Ruby Red Grapefruit rose to fame in the citrus orchards of Florida and Texas, where hot days and warm nights produced the best quality fruit. The ideal Ruby Red Grapefruit has a pale outer peel, and a soft, sanguine flesh that’s pleasantly sweet and low in acid. Leave Ruby Red Grapefruit to mature on the tree for best results.
Grapefruit trees require similar care to other Citrus varieties, with a lower cold tolerance than usual. Deep and well-drained soils with plenty of sun will give the tree room to flourish. You should remove any fruit set in the first year or two of growth, so the tree can grow stronger branches and stems. Once mature, harvest fruits as needed between October and May. That’s grapefruit season in Florida. Grapefruit juice is most often enjoyed fresh, or extracted and chilled for other culinary uses. Grapefruit benefits include loads of vitamins and water, and it’s been the star of diet fads over the past century.
Planting, cultural care, pruning, and harvesting are similar for all citrus plants, with a few slight variations. Generally, they are best planted in filtered sun with well-drained soil that can hold moisture and nutrients. Citrus trees a particularly high demand for nitrogen. If you’re fantasizing about long afternoons of picking fresh fruit from your personal citrus grove, keep this in mind: The key to growing citrus is setting it up for success from the start.
Plant Type:
Subtropical Evergreen Fruit Tree
Harvest Season:
Winter, Spring, Year-round
Main citrus fruit production will take place in late winter through spring, but may produce throughout the year
Mature Size:
7-30 ft
Mature size varies by citrus tree type. Overall, citrus varieties can be grown in containers and maintained at smaller sizes.
Soil & Moisture:
Well-drained, high fertility and good moisture-holding capacity; High nitrogen demands. Regular watering throughout the first year and throughout flowering and fruiting season.
Light Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Shade
Overall, citrus prefers slightly shady areas and has better fruit production in part shade lighting conditions.
Self-Fertile:
Yes
Growth Rate:
Medium
Zone Hardiness:
Outdoors 8-11; Patio/Greenhouse 4+
Although their fruit provides a distinctly tropical twist to any drink or dish, Citrus trees trees are actually very cold hardy fruit trees, taking temperatures down to the low 20's!
Propagation:
Grafted and capable of producing fruit within 1 year.
See More:
Sow Exotic offers many different unique varieties of Citrus trees. Shop the Citrus Collection!
