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.