Citrus maxima – Pummelo

$14,090.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 400L

400L

Current Stock Height Guides

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 5m to 8m

Mature Width: 4m to 6m

Citrus maxima – Pummelo is expected to grow 40cm to 80cm per year under suitable conditions.

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Citrus maxima – Pummelo

Citrus maxima, the pummelo, carries the largest fruit of any citrus, some heads reaching the size of a football. It is an evergreen tree with big leathery leaves, winged leaf stalks and a broad open canopy. The blossom is large, white and heavily scented, opening in loose clusters through spring.

It needs warm subtropical conditions, full sun and a deep free draining soil with steady moisture. The tree is frost sensitive at any age and should not be planted in cold districts. Mature size is 5 to 8 metres tall and 4 to 6 metres wide, at 40 to 80 centimetres a year.

Given room it becomes a genuine shade tree as well as a productive one, which suits large gardens, rural blocks and subtropical landscape planting. The fruit is a talking point, and the thick rind candies well. Self-fertile, so a single tree will crop without another pummelo nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Pummelo

What is a pummelo?

Citrus maxima is the largest of the true citrus species and one of the ancestors of the grapefruit. It produces very big thick-rinded fruit with pale to pink flesh that is mild and sweet rather than sharp. The tree is a broad evergreen with large leaves and fragrant white blossom.

How big does a pummelo tree grow?

It reaches 5 to 8 metres tall and 4 to 6 metres wide in a warm climate with room to spread, making it the largest citrus you can plant. Growth runs at 40 to 80 centimetres a year. Allow at least 5 metres from buildings, boundaries and other established trees.

How large is the fruit?

Individual fruit commonly weigh 1 to 2 kilograms and can pass 3 kilograms on a well fed mature tree. Much of that is rind and pith, which is very thick, so the edible flesh is a smaller portion than the overall size suggests. Picked fruit stores well for several weeks.

What does a pummelo taste like?

Milder and sweeter than grapefruit, with very little of the bitterness. The flesh separates into firm juicy segments that hold their shape, which makes it good in salads. Flavour improves the longer fruit is left on the tree, and the thick rind is excellent candied.

What climate does a pummelo need?

Warm subtropical to tropical conditions with a long hot growing season. Coastal Queensland and northern New South Wales suit it best, and warm sheltered parts of the Sydney basin will grow it. It is frost sensitive at any age, so cool inland and southern districts are unsuitable.

Can a pummelo be grown in a pot?

It can be held in a very large container for some years, though it will not reach full size or crop as heavily as a tree in open ground. Use a container at least 80 centimetres across in full sun, water consistently and feed often. Root prune and repot every few years.

How do I care for a pummelo tree?

Keep water up through flowering and fruit development, since the large fruit need consistent moisture to size properly. Mulch widely over the root zone, clear of the trunk. Feed with citrus fertiliser in early spring and late summer. Prune only to shape, and shelter young trees from cold wind.

Uses in my Garden

Edible Garden
Feature Tree
Shade Tree

Citrus maxima – Pummelo works in an:

Edible Garden – integrates fruit, herbs, and productive plants.
Tropical Garden – lush, leafy planting for a resort-style atmosphere.
Rainforest / Subtropical Garden – dense greenery for a rich, exotic feel.

Is Citrus maxima – Pummelo Evergreen or Deciduous?

Citrus maxima – Pummelo is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 5m to 8m

Mature Width: 4m to 6m

Citrus maxima – Pummelo is expected to grow 40cm to 80cm per year under suitable conditions.

Growth Rate of Citrus maxima – Pummelo

Citrus maxima – Pummelo is expected to grow 40cm to 80cm per year under suitable conditions.

They are considered to have a:

Fast Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Citrus maxima – Pummelo

Is Citrus maxima – Pummelo frost tolerant?

Citrus maxima – Pummelo is Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.

Does Citrus maxima – Pummelo Flower?

Citrus maxima produces the largest flowers of any citrus, white and heavily scented, opening in loose clusters through spring. Very large thick-rinded fruit follows and develops slowly through the warm months, ripening from late autumn into winter in suitable districts.

Does Citrus maxima – Pummelo flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Fragrant
Clustered

Flower Colour:

White

Is Citrus maxima – Pummelo an Australian Native Tree?

No

Citrus maxima – Pummelo is Native to Native to south east Asia and the Malay archipelago, and one of the original wild citrus species behind the grapefruit.

What is the Wildlife Value of Citrus maxima – Pummelo ?

Large heavily scented blossom clusters attract bees and other pollinators through spring, supporting fruit set across the garden. The broad evergreen canopy gives substantial shelter and nesting habitat for small birds, and fallen fruit is readily used by wildlife.

How much Sunlight does Citrus maxima – Pummelo need?

Citrus maxima – Pummelo will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Citrus maxima wants a deep fertile free-draining soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH and generous organic matter. Sandy loam and well-structured loam both suit it, provided moisture is maintained through the long fruit development period. Heavy clay and any position holding water after rain should be avoided, or heavily improved and mounded. Consistent moisture and warmth give the largest fruit.

Is Citrus maxima – Pummelo Drought Tolerant?

Is Citrus maxima – Pummelo Drought tolerant?

Young trees need generous consistent watering while they establish. Even mature pummelos have only limited drought tolerance, and the very large fruit will not size properly without steady moisture right through development, so plan for reliable irrigation in dry inland or coastal summers.

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How To Plant Your Citrus maxima – Pummelo

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Citrus maxima – Pummelo

Feature tree: 6 metres apart, as the canopy spreads well beyond that of other citrus.

Avenue planting: 5 metres apart for an orchard row, allowing full access for harvesting.

Citrus maxima – Pummelo is expected to grow 40cm to 80cm per year under suitable conditions.

Fast Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Citrus maxima – Pummelo

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Prune only to shape and to remove low or crossing branches. Keep the framework open so light reaches developing fruit, and shelter young trees from cold wind.

Fertilising: Apply a dedicated citrus fertiliser in early spring and again in late summer for steady growth and reliable cropping.

Pest and disease: Generally robust in warm climates. Watch for scale, aphids, citrus leaf miner and fruit fly, which is worth monitoring given the fruit size.

Planting Your Citrus maxima – Pummelo in Different Soil

Citrus maxima performs best in deep well-drained loam or sandy loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH and plenty of organic matter. It is less tolerant of poor soils than the smaller citrus.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.