The different sweet Grapefruit tree cultivars are prized for their handsome evergreen foliage that can provide shade in the heat of summer, and their juicy, flavorful fruits that come in varying colors and flavors – from white acidic to pink bittersweet, to Ruby Red which is super sweet.
Best Mail Order Grapefruit
There are many standard and dwarf Grapefruit varieties you may choose to grow inside your house or in your backyard. However, you must know the characteristics of the different standard or dwarf Grapefruit trees and the fruits they bear for you to make an informed decision before you buy a Grapefruit tree.
- White Grapefruit Tree – The white Grapefruit is the first Grapefruit variety that was introduced to the USA and the predecessor of all other Grapefruit cultivars. This white variety is available in standard and dwarf Grapefruit tree sizes, which can be grown indoors or outdoors. The white Grapefruit tree bears medium to large fruits that have creamy yellow skin, vibrant aroma, and tart fruit with the least amount of sweetness when compared to pink or red Grapefruit. The nutritious white-fleshed fruit can be eaten fresh, tossed in a salad, juiced, and may be used to flavor meat dishes. If you prefer to juice the fruit you would be glad to know that white Grapefruit juice benefits include reduced risk of developing kidney stones, improved immune system, and lower risk of acquiring heart diseases.
- Pink Grapefruit Tree – The pink Grapefruit variety is in between the white and red varieties in terms of color, taste, and flavor. It is the most palatable variety, with a flavor that is mildly tangy and sweet making it a great fruit for juicing. The pink Grapefruit variety is available in both standard and dwarf sizes so you can plant it at home even if you have limited space. If you buy a pink dwarf Grapefruit tree for sale expect that the tree will be around 2-3 feet tall upon arrival and may grow up to 8 to 12 feet high when planted directly into the ground but tend to be smaller (about 6 feet tall) when planted in a pot.
- Red Grapefruit Tree – The red Grapefruit cultivar is the most popular and sought for variety because of its supremely sweet fruit with very minimal acidity. Aside from the excellent taste, the fruits of the Ruby Red Grapefruit tree and Rio Red Grapefruit tree boast wonderful red flesh and juice packed with vitamins and minerals that can help boost the immune system, keep the heart healthy, prevent the development of cancer, and help in losing weight.
Ruby Red and Rio Red Varieties
The standard Ruby Red Grapefruit trees and Rio Red Grapefruit trees are both excellent trees to have in home gardens because of the shade they can provide and pleasant citrus scent they give off that can act as a natural air-freshener.
The Rio Red and Ruby Red Grapefruit tree sizes are around 20-25 feet tall when planted in the ground in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 11. If you live in areas outside zones 8-11, it is highly advisable that you plant a dwarf Rio Red Grapefruit tree or a dwarf Ruby Red Grapefruit tree in a container which you can move indoors during the cold winter months as they cannot tolerate temperatures below 28ºF.
When you buy a Ruby Red Grapefruit tree for sale or a Rio Red Grapefruit tree for sale from a citrus nursery, it can take about 2-3 years for them to start bearing fruits. This is way faster than when you grow a Grapefruit tree from a seed. The same is true for dwarf Ruby Red Grapefruit trees for sale. It takes 2-3 years of proper care before they can start bearing fruits.
If you are interested in growing a Rio Red Grapefruit tree or a Ruby Grapefruit tree make sure to check with your local citrus nursery or buy from a reputable citrus nursery like citrus.com to make sure that you will always get healthy Grapefruit trees for sale.