Pomelo
Citrus maxima
The largest citrus and an ancestor of orange and grapefruit: thick rind, mild sweet flesh, a New Year fruit.
Hardiness: zones 9 to 11
Light: full sun
Size: about 25 ft tall, 20 ft wide
Harvest: November to February
From: Southeast Asia
Here: Too tender to overwinter outdoors on the Lake Erie shore (zone 6b to 7a): grow it in a pot and bring it in, or treat it as an annual.
Good for: food, pollinators.
Native to: South & Southeast Asian tropics. Hardy in zones 9 to 11.
The story
The pomelo is native to Southeast Asia and is one of the three original citrus from which oranges, lemons and grapefruit descend. It is given at Lunar New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival as a sign of plenty.
Planting
Full sun, heat and deep soil. It wants a long, warm season to sweeten.
Growing
Water deeply and feed as for other citrus. Thin heavy fruit on young branches.
Harvest and use
Fruit ripens in winter and holds on the tree. Peel away the thick rind and the membranes and eat the firm segments.
What to watch for
Frost. Some people on certain medicines must avoid it, as with grapefruit.
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More tropical and subtropical food plants
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home