Citrus maxima

Pomelo (Citrus maxima)
Scientific name	Citrus maxima [1]
Common names	Pomelo; pummelo; shaddock
Genus	Citrus
Family	Rutaceae
Order	Sapindales
Growth form	Low-branching evergreen tree, usually 5–10 m and occasionally about 15 m tall [3]
Native range	Assam, Cambodia, East Himalaya, Laos, Myanmar, Nicobar Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam are listed in a current taxonomic treatment [2]
Climate and site	Warm tropical to subtropical; full sun, deep moisture-retentive soil, and good drainage [3]
Propagation	Fresh seed; polyembryonic seedlings, cuttings, air-layering, and grafting are reported [3]
Fruit	Large citrus fruit with thick rind and segmented flesh; cultivar texture and seed content vary [3]
Harvest	Timing varies by climate and cultivar; regional production may include cooler, drier months [3]

Pomelo or pummelo (Citrus maxima) is a large-fruited evergreen citrus cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions. It is distinct from grapefruit and from other citrus hybrids; older literature also uses names such as Citrus grandis and Citrus decumana. ^[1][2]

Description

Citrus maxima forms a low-branching tree with spreading branches. Wild-type or seedling trees may carry spines up to about 5 cm, while some cultivated forms are spineless. The fruit has a thick rind and large segments of pale to coloured flesh; selected cultivars may have thin rind, crisp flesh, and few or shrivelled seeds. ^[3]

The accepted genus, family, and order are Citrus, Rutaceae, and Sapindales. Historical combinations such as Citrus grandis remain useful when interpreting older pomelo literature, but they are not the accepted page name. ^[1][2]

Citrus maxima identified as a Rutaceae species on the Commons file page; photo by Kurt Stüber, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Cultivation

Pomelo grows in tropical, subtropical summer-rain, and winter-rain climates. In Thai production, several cooler and drier months occur within a crop cycle and the dry season lasts about 3–4 months; the timing shifts with region, latitude, cultivar, temperature, and rainfall. ^[3]

Soil and water

Provide deep, well-drained but moisture-retentive loam. A cultivation profile places a preferred soil reaction around pH 5–6 and recommends irrigation when a dry period extends beyond roughly three months; treat those figures as regional guidance rather than fixed species-wide limits. Mulch can moderate drying, but the root zone must not remain saturated. ^[3]

Sun and humidity

Full sun supports flowering and fruit quality. An open site with airflow is preferable to dense enclosure, while reliable soil moisture is important during active growth and fruit enlargement. Pomelo is adapted to warm conditions; protect young trees from cold and from severe heat while they establish. ^[3]

Seasonal changes

Pomelo is evergreen. Where a marked dry season is part of the local climate, reduce irrigation only as far as the tree and crop permit, and restore regular moisture before prolonged dryness affects active growth or fruit enlargement. Flowering and harvest dates shift with cultivar, latitude, temperature, and rainfall rather than following one universal calendar. ^[3]

Propagation

Sow fresh seed promptly. Seedlings are often polyembryonic, so more than one seedling may emerge and some seedlings can be genetically similar to the mother plant. Cuttings and air-layering are reported; grafting is the practical method for maintaining a named cultivar and its fruit characteristics. ^[3]

Flowering, fruiting, and harvest

Bearing age varies with cultivar, rootstock, planting site, and climate, so a single species-wide schedule is not useful. Record those variables with the first crops rather than assigning one expected age to every tree. ^[3]

Harvest timing also varies with climate and cultivar. Leave fruit until the rind and flesh have developed the intended cultivar quality, then record the local calendar and fruit characteristics for later crops. ^[3]

Fruit and uses

Pomelo is eaten fresh by separating the segments and removing the thick membrane. Flesh may be pale, pink, or red depending on the cultivar, with sweetness, acidity, juiciness, and seed content varying among selections. The rind is also used in preserves and other processed foods. ^[3]

Photos

References

• ↑ [1] GBIF species match: Citrus maxima. Accepted species match; Rutaceae; Sapindales. Accessed 2026-08-28.

• ↑ [2] Plants of the World Online: Citrus maxima. Current taxonomic treatment, distribution, and historical combinations. Accessed 2026-08-28.

• ↑ [3] Useful Tropical Plants: Citrus maxima. Habit, cultivation climate, soil, propagation, fruit, and nomenclatural history. Accessed 2026-08-28.

Image credits

• Summary image: Ivar Leidus, pomelo fruit with segments; CC BY-SA 4.0; changes not made.
• Description image: Kurt Stüber, Citrus maxima file identified as a Rutaceae species; CC BY-SA 3.0; changes not made.
• Photos image: Ivar Leidus, pomelo flesh with two seeds; CC BY-SA 4.0; focus-stacked image; changes not made.