Holly's Homestead — Citrus Tree
Grapefruit
Citrus × paradisi · Rue family
DIFFICULTY Moderate
TYPE Evergreen perennial tree
MATURITY 3–4 years to first fruit
TYPE Evergreen perennial tree
MATURITY 3–4 years to first fruit
Sun
Full sun, warm
Water
Regular, deep
Soil pH
5.5–6.5
Spacing
5–6m
Depth
graft union above soil
01Needs real warmth
Grapefruit wants more sustained heat than lemon or mandarin to develop good sweetness and size — best suited to warm temperate and subtropical zones.
02Planting
Method
Plant with the graft union above soil level.
Soil
Well-drained, slightly acidic.
Timing
Plant in spring in a warm, sheltered spot.
03Growing care
- Water deeply and regularly.
- Feed with a citrus fertiliser three times a year.
- Mulch around the drip line.
- Prune lightly after harvest to manage the tree's naturally large size.
04Problems
- Citrus leaf miner — prune affected tips.
- Gall wasp — prune out before spring.
- Sooty mould — treat the underlying pest.
- Poor sweetness — insufficient warmth; best suited to warmer zones.
05Harvest & storage
Signs
Full colour and size, slight give when squeezed.
Method
Cut or twist from the stem.
Curing
None needed — holds well on the tree.
Storage
Room temperature 1–2 weeks, or refrigerated up to a month.
06Companions & rotation
Plant nearby
ComfreyMarigoldAvoid nearby
Close tree plantingRotation note
Not applicable — perennial tree.