Pomelo Tree (Pomela)

About the Pomelo Tree (Pomela)

The pomelo is the giant of the citrus world and one of the original wild citrus species, a parent of both the grapefruit and the sweet orange. Its fruit can be as big as a small melon, with a thick, fragrant rind that peels away to reveal large, firm, juicy segments, sweet and mild with little or none of grapefruit's bitterness. In Asia it is a symbol of good fortune, eaten fresh or in salads. The tree is large and handsome, with big, glossy leaves and heavily scented flowers, and it loves the heat and humidity of tropical Mexico.

How to Care for It

Choose a spacious spot in full sun with deep, well-drained soil; this is a big tree. Water deeply and regularly, especially while fruit is sizing up, but never leave the roots waterlogged. Feed three or four times a year with a citrus fertiliser with micronutrients, increasing the dose as the tree grows. Support heavily laden branches if needed and prune after harvest to remove dead wood and keep fruit within reach.

Fresh limes for every taco and juice from your own tree. Persian, Colima and criollo limes, Valencia and navel oranges, five mandarins, grapefruit, pomelo and Yucatán's own lima de chiche, grown on our farms and shipped by DHL to most of Mexico.

Growing Profile

Botanical name

Citrus maxima

Family

Rutaceae

Native to

Southeast Asia and southern China

Mature height

5–8 m

Plant spacing

7 m

Years to first fruit

3–5 years

Light

Full sun

Water

Moderate

Cold tolerance

down to 0 °C

Best climates

Humid tropics, Dry tropics, Subtropical

Grows in a pot

Best in the ground

Ships from

Our farms in Yucatán & Chiapas