Redblush Grapefruit

With its beautiful red blush color, delightful flavor, and ability to store and transport easily, Redblush grapefruit quickly became an important crop that helped to establish the citrus industry in Texas, where it was discovered.

Its popularity allowed it to spread to other warm regions in the US. Today, Coachella produces and exports them from its many grapefruit groves.

Growing young citrus trees in the desert can be tricky. If you’d like to try, we suggest the Redblush grapefruit—one of the best citrus performers in the Palm Springs region.

Botanical name: Citrus x paradisi

Other names: Pink grapefruit, Red blush grapefruit tree, Ruby red grapefruit

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Redblush grapefruit tree is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree that can reach 20 feet in height and 15 feet in width.

It has dense, deep green foliage. The leaves are oval and can grow to 5 inches long.

Small, white flowers with a strong, pleasant fragrance.

Followed by Redblush grapefruits, which are green when young and turn into yellow-pink as they ripen. Light to dark pink-red flesh with little to no seeds. These fruits typically ripen in late winter to early summer in the Coachella Valley.

Pests: Redblush grapefruit trees may attract pests such as aphids, mealybugs, Psyllid, and scale.

For aphids, blast them off with water if the infestation is light. Otherwise, use horticultural oil or soapy water.

To remove mealybugs, use insecticidal soap or apply rubbing alcohol directly to the area of the infestation using a cotton swab.

To remove scales, pick them off or use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Horticultural oil will kill both crawlers and adults with direct contact. Insecticidal soap is better used to target only the crawlers.

Whenever using any kind of pesticide, be aware that it can damage the plant if the temperatures are in the 80s or above.

Signs of overwatering: Root rot, drooping leaves

Signs of too little water: Browning and drying leaves

Signs of too much sun: Leaf burn, fading color

Signs of too little sun: Etiolation, stunted growth, few flowers

The easiest way to propagate a Redblush grapefruit tree is through cuttings. Using a sharp tool, obtain 1-foot-long semi-hardwood cuttings and plant them in the soil. Keep the soil moist until the tree is well established.

HOW MUCH DOES a Redblush Grapefruit Tree COST?

At our nursery, Redblush grapefruit trees cost $120 for a 15-gallon container, and $250 for a 24” box.

Prices are subject to change. Please contact us for the most up-to-date pricing information. We may have larger sizes available. We provide installation services locally at a separate cost.

When should I harvest Redblush grapefruits?

In our Palm Springs region, Redblush grapefruits typically ripen from February to June.

Why is my redblush grapefruit so sour?

It could be because it was not fully ripe. Wait until it has fully ripened on the tree to obtain sweet grapefruits. Otherwise, it could be because the tree did not receive enough sunlight and heat.