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How to Grow Grapefruit

Red or yellow and sometimes even pink, grapefruit are a great addition to your garden and plate! The traditional yellow forms can be quite tart, however, the red varieties are growing in popularity due to their sweeter taste. Add them to your salads or enjoy on their own for breakfast – they’re an excellent source of vitamin C.

Full sun

Water regularly

Well drained

Pick when fruit is firm and heavy, skin should be smooth and bright yellow/red (depending on variety)

How to grow grapefruits in a garden

Step 1

Choose a sunny spot with well drained soil. Enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. If the soil is clay based, improve soil structure by adding gypsum and forking in well. In poorly drained areas, citrus can also be planted in a raised mound of free-draining soil.

Step 2

Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.

Step 3

Position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down. Form a raised or doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.

Step 4

Mulch around the base with organic mulch like sugarcane or pea straw, keeping it away from the trunk.

Step 5

Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.

Step 6

Feed your citrus with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser three times a year, in early spring, summer and again in autumn.

Step 7

When the tree starts to produce fruit (normally after its 2nd year), feed weekly with Yates Thrive Citrus Liquid Plant Food.

How to grow grapefruits in a pot

When planting in a pot, choose a dwarf grapefruit variety, like Dwarf Rio Red or Dwarf Honneffs Surprise.

Step 1

Choose a pot at least 500mm wide. Position in full sun and fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. TIP: Consider placing the pot on wheels if you live in a cold area, so it can be easily moved inside or to a more protected spot in winter.

Step 2

Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.

Step 3

Position in hole and backfill with potting mix, gently firming down. Water in well.

Step 4

Water deeply, 2-3 times during the week, depending on weather conditions.

Step 5

Feed your citrus with Yates Dynamic Lifter Liquid Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser three times a year, in early spring, summer and again in autumn.

Step 6

When the tree starts to produce fruit (normally after its second year), feed weekly with Yates Thrive Citrus Liquid Plant Food.

Growing tips

If you’re short of sunny spots in the garden, grow citrus in pots that can be moved to take advantage of changing patterns of sunlight.

In heavy clay soils, it’s best to put extra effort into soil preparation. To check if your soil needs work, dig a hole and pour a bucket of water into the hole – if it takes more than 30 minutes to disappear, then you will need to improve your drainage. Consider raising the level of the bed as much as possible with free draining garden soil, dig in gypsum to help break up the clay and add plenty of Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. Potted grapefruit should be grown in a good quality mix (such as Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter) and moved into larger containers as they grow.