How to grow Pomelo
Updated October 2026
Pomelo, also spelled pummelo, is the largest citrus fruit: a thick-skinned, sweet, mild cousin of grapefruit that is popular in Southeast Asian cooking. It is among the most cold-tender citrus, so in the US it suits South and Central Florida, Hawaii and the warmest parts of California, Arizona and the Rio Grande Valley. The tree grows large, so give it room.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Pomelo in the US
Not to be confused with: Pomelo looks like a giant grapefruit, and grapefruit is in fact a pomelo hybrid. Pomelo flesh is sweeter and less bitter, with a much thicker rind.
Where to plant
Plant pomelo in the sunniest spot you have, out of strong wind, in well-drained soil that never stays wet. The tree can reach 30 feet with an equally wide spread, so plant it well clear of the house and other trees.
Pomelo needs warmth to sweeten its fruit, and it is one of the least cold-hardy citrus.
- South Florida: plant in the cooler, drier months so roots settle before the summer rains.
- Central Florida: plant in late winter to spring or early fall, and cover young trees on frost nights.
- Hawaii: thrives in the warm lowlands.
- Desert Southwest and Southern California: plant in spring once frost is past, in the warmest spot. Inland valleys suit it better than the cool coast. In the desert, shade the trunk from summer sun.
- Northern California: only in the warmest, most sheltered spots, planted once spring is settled.
- Texas: outdoors only in the warmest parts of the Rio Grande Valley.
- North Florida, the Gulf South and everywhere colder: not safe outdoors. Grow it in a large container that can move under cover in winter.
Choosing a variety
Varieties grown in the US include Chandler (pink flesh, developed in California), Reinking and Red Shaddock. Buy a grafted tree from a licensed nursery in your own state. This matters for the law as well as for the tree: see the note on citrus quarantines below.
How to plant
- Choose a certified, disease-free grafted tree from a licensed local nursery.
- Plant at the depth it grew in the pot, with the graft union well above the soil.
- Water in thoroughly and keep the soil evenly moist while the tree establishes.
- Mulch a wide circle around the tree, keeping mulch a few inches away from the trunk.
Watering and feeding
Water young trees regularly so the root ball never dries out, then water established trees deeply during dry spells. Avoid waterlogged soil, which leads to root rot.
Feed with a citrus fertilizer that includes magnesium and minor elements, following the label for the tree's age, mainly from late winter to early fall.
Pruning and care through the year
- Remove any shoots growing from below the graft.
- Prune only to remove dead, damaged or crossing wood and to keep the tree to a manageable size.
- Protect young trees on frost nights with a cover that reaches the ground.
Harvesting
Pomelos ripen from late summer through spring, depending on the variety and area. The fruit does not ripen further once picked, so harvest when the skin has started to turn from green to yellow and a test fruit tastes sweet. Clip it from the tree with a short stem. The thick rind lets fruit keep for weeks.
Using it
Peel away the thick rind and the bitter membranes and eat the segments fresh. Pomelo is the base of Thai and Vietnamese pomelo salads, and the rind can be candied.
Companion planting
Citrus trees grow best with a clear, mulched root zone. A few low plants around the drip line can still help.
Good companions
- Comfrey Grown a little way from the trunk, its leaves can be cut and dropped as mulch.
Pests and diseases
Citrus greening (huanglongbing or HLB), spread by the Asian citrus psyllid, is the most serious threat to citrus in the US. All of Florida and parts of Texas, California and other states are under federal quarantine, and moving citrus plants out of quarantine areas, or shipping them into citrus-growing states, is restricted. Never move citrus plants or cuttings across state or quarantine lines, and buy trees only from a licensed local nursery.
Pests to watch for
- Asian citrus psyllid Tiny mottled brown insects that feed with their rear end raised, and twisted new leaves with white waxy droppings. Report sightings outside known areas to your state department of agriculture.
- Leaf miners Silvery winding trails in young leaves, which curl and distort.
- Scale insects Small bumps on twigs and leaves, often with sooty mold.
Diseases to watch for
- Citrus canker Raised, corky spots with yellow halos on leaves, twigs and fruit.
- Melanose Small, rough, dark brown specks on fruit and leaves, worse on trees with dead wood.
Common questions
What is the difference between a pomelo and a grapefruit?
Pomelo is one of the parent species of grapefruit. Its fruit is larger, with a very thick rind, and its flesh is sweeter and less bitter. The tree is also less cold hardy.
Where can I grow a pomelo in the US?
Outdoors in roughly zones 9 to 11 where frost is rare: South and Central Florida, Hawaii, the warmest parts of California and Arizona, and the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. Elsewhere, grow it in a large container and bring it under cover for winter.
Can I order a pomelo tree online?
Be careful. Federal and state quarantines for citrus greening and the Asian citrus psyllid restrict shipping citrus plants into citrus-growing states and moving them out of quarantine areas. Buy a certified tree from a licensed nursery in your own state.
When is a pomelo ripe?
When the skin begins to turn from green to yellow and a test fruit tastes sweet. Pomelos do not ripen further after picking, so taste one before harvesting the rest.
How big does a pomelo tree get?
A mature pomelo can reach about 30 feet tall with an equal spread, so plant it well away from buildings or keep it smaller with light pruning.
Sources we checked: UF/IFAS Extension Nassau County: Pummelo; UF/IFAS blogs: pummelo; California Department of Food and Agriculture: Citrus greening and Asian citrus psyllid quarantine (301.76); Texas Department of Agriculture: Asian citrus psyllid.
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