Grapefruits are loved by citrus fans all over the world, so it’s funny to discover that this large fruit was probably an accidental hybridization of two other citruses in the Caribbean!
Perhaps because its origin was accidental (instead of planned by agriculture experts) Grapefruit trees are a bit challenging to grow and maintain, simply because of how sensitive they are to the weather.
Nevertheless, this bitter-sweet-sour fruit is well worth the time and effort! And with a little bit of just that—time and effort—and my grapefruit guides listed below, you’re sure to have a plentiful grapefruit harvest before you know it.
Growing Grapefruit Trees: Care, Fertilizer, Pruning, Pests, and Diseases
If you’re planning to plant a grapefruit tree in your backyard, chances are that you’ll purchase a small grafted tree, which you will then transplant directly into your garden. The post below, however, also has directions for growing a grapefruit tree from seed!
How to Plant a Grapefruit
How to Grow a Grapefruit Tree
These posts will take you step-by-step through the process of planting and growing a grapefruit tree, from the early stages of planning all the way to its essential care.
The Complete Guide to Grapefruit Tree Care
Though this post covers similar material to the one above, it approaches it from a different perspective. Take a deeper dive into the specifics of grapefruit soil, watering, feeding, pruning, harvesting, frost threats, and pests and diseases.
Already know what you don’t know? If you’re having trouble figuring out how to water your grapefruit tree, then take advantage of this comprehensive watering guide.
Fertilizer for Grapefruit Trees
Want specific pointers to my favorite products? Then this post is the one for you. If you’re in a hurry, however, here are three of my favorites:
How to Prune a Grapefruit Tree
Fortunately, grapefruit trees don’t necessitate any specific pruning schedule. However, pruning is always a good idea, at least once a year, to prevent overcrowding fruit, and the spread of pests and diseases.
Plus, grapefruit trees are also considered ornamental, so you might even consider pruning them into fun shapes to impress your neighbors!
The best cure for pests and diseases in Grapefruit trees is—you guessed it—prevention. But what if it just slipped your mind? Here’s how to read the signs, and what to do about it.
Harvesting Grapefruits
Finally, my favorite part!
How to Tell if Grapefruit is Ripe
It’s time to harvest your delicious grapefruits… or is it? How can you tell? Read this informational guide to make sure you’re not picking your grapefruits too early, nor too late.
Grapefruit in the Kitchen
Ok, maybe I was lying about the fact that the best part of growing a grapefruit tree is harvesting the grapefruits. In reality, the best part is the step that comes right after: eating them! Check out my favorite grapefruit recipes.
Health Benefits of Grapefruit
As if it couldn’t get any better, you can now also feel good about the grapefruit recipes you want to try. It turns out that grapefruits are very healthy for you!
Grapefruit Nutrition: A Guide to Calories, Vitamins, and More
Let’s take a closer look at exactly what’s going on beneath the thick grapefruit peel.
What do all those nutrients mean for your health?
Health Benefits of Grapefruit Juice
What if you don’t like peeling and eating grapefruit with your hands? Does that mean you miss out on all it’s health benefits? Of course not! Just drink grapefruit juice!
Grapefruit Essential Oils and Extracts
The great thing about grapefruit is just how variable it is. Take a look at all the great things you can do with Grapefruit essential oils and Grapefruit seed extract.
Grapefruit Varieties
Grapefruits, just like all the other citruses, come in many different types of varieties. Take a closer look at some of my favorites:
Chinese Grapefruit
Ray Ruby Grapefruit
Rio Red Grapefruit Tree
Marsh Grapefruit Tree
Star Ruby Grapefruit Tree
Grapefruit FAQs
What is the normal lifespan of a grapefruit tree?
In an ideal scenario, grapefruit trees can live fifty years on average. Weather conditions, insects, and diseases can often threaten to cut their lifespan short. Make sure you’re checking for pests regularly to keep your tree healthy.
What does a grapefruit tree look like?
Grapefruit trees start out as thinned shrubs that can grow into tall, mighty trees. When in bloom, they sport bright, white five-petaled flowers that turn into large clusters of yellow grapefruit, popping against the green, long, hairless leaves. On average, they grow as tall as twenty feet.
What should I feed a grapefruit tree?
Grapefruit trees rely on sunshine and water to grow. To ensure your tree is receiving the recommended amount of nitrogen, its most vital nutrient for growth, you can feed it fertilizer. It’s recommended that you spread two tablespoons of nitrogen-rich fertilizer with water around the base four times per year. Learn more about growing a grapefruit tree.
What size pot is needed to grow a grapefruit tree?
Baby grapefruit trees can start off being grown in a pot at least twenty inches deep, which will allow enough room for the roots to take hold. When growing a grapefruit tree in a pot, use potting soil. It’s engineered to have better drainage and is more nutrient-dense. You can pick up a pot for your sapling at any gardening store in-person or online.
How can I find the sweetest grapefruit?
In general, the sweetest grapefruit are the ones that are most ripe. Look for grapefruits that have yellow peels, are soft to the touch, and are flat at the blossom and the stem ends of the fruit. The more red the flesh, the sweeter the fruit. While grapefruit are known more for their tartness, the Ruby Red is known as the sweetest variety.
What month do grapefruit trees bloom?
Most grapefruit trees bloom in March, April, or May depending on where you live. If your grapefruit tree isn’t blooming, it could be because it’s not getting enough sun or because of weather conditions. The best time for picking grapefruit is winter, December through March.
What causes grapefruit tree leaves to curl?
Tree leaves curling is a sign of stress. This can be from disease, extreme weather, or lack of water. If the leaves curl inward yet are still green, then make sure your tree is getting enough water and pruned regularly. You can also invest in pesticides to see if they’ll help.
Consult with your local nursery to determine the best course of action with chemicals.
Are grapefruit trees self-pollinating?
Yes. The pollen the trees give off is carried by bees to pollinate their own flowers. If there are no bees by you, or you’re growing a tree indoors, you can hand pollinate. Take a cotton swab or paintbrush, swirl it in the flower, and spread it around your tree.
Can dogs eat grapefruit?
Yes and no. Check out our post Can Dogs Eat Grapefruit? for a more detailed answer.
Keep Learning About Grapefruit!
Bookmark this page and check back often. We are constantly updating our grapefruit page with lots of fun, interesting, and useful content!
In the meantime, get a headstart on growing some of my other favorite goodies from nature:
