Rio Red Grapefruit Tree

Rio Red Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi 'Rio Red') is a red fleshed grapefruit with a sweeter taste than the white varieties. The tree grows to about 4m tall and 3.5m wide, with dense glossy evergreen leaves, and bears large round fruit with deep red flesh and few seeds. It is self fertile, so a single tree gives you fruit.

Why you'll love it

• Deep red flesh. The colour carries right through the fruit, and it is one of the sweetest grapefruit for fresh eating.
• Few seeds. Easy to segment and juice, with only a handful of seeds per fruit.
• Self fertile. One tree sets fruit on its own.
• Evergreen shade and scent. Glossy leaves give year round cover, and the white spring flowers are fragrant.

Where it works best

Sunny orchard corners. Plant 5m from other trees in the warmest, most sheltered spot you have, because red fleshed grapefruit need heat to colour and sweeten.

Courtyard trees. Young trees can be grown in a large pot on a sunny patio, which keeps them within reach for harvest.

Edible gardens. Pair with lemon, lime and mandarin to cover most of the citrus year.

Growing Rio Red Grapefruit Tree in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun and warmth. Rio Red needs a long hot summer to develop its red colour and sweetness, so it suits subtropical and warm temperate gardens. In cool climates the fruit stays pale and sharp. Protect young trees from frost and wind. Fruit fly can ruin a crop in many districts, so cover fruiting trees with exclusion netting or bag the fruit as it forms.

Soil. Free draining, slightly acidic soil with compost. Never let water pool around the roots, and mound the planting spot on heavy clay.

Water and feed. Water deeply every week through the first two summers, keeping the root zone evenly moist through flowering and fruiting. Feed with a citrus fertiliser every couple of months in the warm season.

Pruning. Remove dead wood and suckers from below the graft, and thin crowded growth after harvest. Heavy pruning is not needed.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Rio Red Grapefruit Tree as 400mm and 500mm pots. We sell it in 400mm and 500mm pots, which are advanced young trees with an established framework and come into fruit sooner than a small plant. They travel upright and wrapped, and need a little time to settle.

Our growers do not hold every size all year, so a size can show as on backorder at times. An order for a backorder size is confirmed with you before anything ships.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse citrus and fruit
• Growing citrus trees in your backyard
• Edible plants for the garden

Common questions

Is it sweeter than Marsh?

Yes. Red fleshed grapefruit are generally sweeter and less bitter than the pale types.

Do I need another tree to pollinate it?

No. Rio Red is self fertile.

When is the fruit ripe?

In the cooler months. Taste a fruit before picking the lot, and leave them on the tree until the flavour is right.