Growing Grapefruit From Seed In 5 Easy Steps

Grapefruit On Top Of Wooden Table | Growing Grapefruit From Seed in 5 Easy Steps | Featured

Growing grapefruit from seed can be tricky for beginners but is definitely doable. With this simple and practical guide, you can grow grapefruit like a pro. Read on and find out how to grow grapefruit from seeds with ease.

RELATED: Growing Apricots From Seeds | A Practical Garden Season Guide

In this article:

  1. Growing Grapefruits From Seeds
  2. Learn How to Grow Grapefruit
  3. Tips for Growing Grapefruits Outdoors
  4. Tips for Growing Grapefruit In Containers

Learn How Growing Grapefruit Can Be Very Easy

Growing Grapefruits From Seeds

One of the questions when growing fruit from seed is whether it will grow true to a fruit. While it cannot be said when growing apples and peaches from seeds, most fruits from the citrus family will grow true from seed. What's even better, is that grapefruit trees grown from seeds can live longer and are more disease-resistant.

Learn How to Grow Grapefruit

Have you tried slicing through a succulent and juicy grapefruit before and wondered if you can grow the seeds? Why, yes you can! In fact, you can enjoy a grapefruit tree in your backyard in these five easy steps!

Step 1. Extracting Grapefruit Seeds

Sliced Grapefruit | Growing Grapefruit From Seed in 5 Easy Steps

It would be best for you to grow grapefruits from seeds of fruits grown locally. This ensures that the fruits you will grow are well adapted in your area.

Pick a fruit clean and free of blemishes. Cut the fruit in half and scoop out the middle part of the fruit.

Collect the viable, undamaged grapefruit seeds.

Step 2. Preparing Grapefruit Seeds

Seeds Laid Out | Growing Grapefruit From Seed in 5 Easy Steps

Soak the seeds in a glass of water and pat dry the seeds to take off the slime from the coat. This will make it easier to take off the seed coating. Using a small knife or tweezers, gently peel off the coating from the seeds and careful not to damage the tip.

Step 3. Germinating Grapefruit Seeds

|

Set the seeds on a paper towel then fold it to wrap the seeds. Spray the seeds and the paper towel to thoroughly moisten it.

You can either place the seeds in a ziplock bag or in a plastic container with a cover. Label the bag or plastic container and place it in a warm and dark place.

RELATED: How To Germinate Seeds | A Gardener’s Guide To Sprouting Seeds

Step 4. Planting Germinated Grapefruit Seeds

Seedlings Inside Planter | Growing Grapefruit From Seed in 5 Easy Steps

Check your seeds in about 10 to 15 days to see if the seeds have germinated.

If you're pleased with your germinated seeds, you can now prepare your planters or containers to plant your germinated seeds. You can use purchased containers or you can recycle old containers for starting the seeds of grapefruits in.

If you plan to recycle containers, make sure to drill holes in the bottom of the container for drainage. Use rich potting soil or a garden soil improved with organic compost.

Poke four 1-inch holes in the container with equal distance to each other then drop the seeds with the roots down. Water the container and wait.

Step 5. Transplanting Grapefruit Seedlings

|

Transplant your seedlings into individual pots once they've grown two to four true leaves. This will give the seeds more breathing space and the roots more room to grow.

Once you see the roots growing at the bottom of the container, the seedlings are now ready to be transferred.

Whether you plan to grow grapefruit in containers indoors or directly in the ground out in your garden, you can use these smart tips:

Tips for Growing Grapefruits Outdoors

  • As with most of the fruits of the citrus family, grapefruits are sun-loving and grow best where they are sun-kissed.
  • Site your location in an area where the soil is a sandy loam with lots of organic matter.
  • Transplant the seedlings in the site you selected and water the seedling until moist but not soggy.
  • Water daily in the first week through to the second week and weekly after a few months when the plant has been established.

Tips for Growing Grapefruit In Containers

Growing grapefruit in containers is possible as with some other citrus fruits like lemon and oranges. However, they won't grow grapefruit bunches like they would in wider spaces.

Nevertheless, they will still bear fruits and become a lovely ornamental plant. Lastly, it is important to note grapefruits grow better indoors in colder climates.

Watch the full tutorial from Jessie Jackowski for germinating grapefruit seeds here:

Though growing your own grapefruit from seed can be a lengthy process, it's all worth it when you can look forward to a heavy-laden grapefruit tree in a few years. So stop throwing those seeds away and begin your grapefruit garden today!

Thinking of giving grapefruits a try in your garden. I'd be delighted to hear all about it in the comments section below!

UP NEXT:

Want to stay up to date? Follow Garden Season on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Editor’s Note: This post has been updated for quality and relevancy.

Up Next

12 thoughts on “Growing Grapefruit From Seed In 5 Easy Steps”

  1. I planted my Grapefruit in containers around
    4 yrs ago, they have not produced any fruit yet. They are indoors. I live in upstate NY. They like the summer here. I hope this season I will see flowers.
    Thanks, Rusty C
    Is miracle grow ok?

    1. Miracle grow is toxic. I personally never use it and there are alternatives.
      Your tree might want a bigger pot or need soil amendments. Search for amendments specifically to encourage fruit/flowering.

  2. I just started seedlings from what we call wild grapefruit. We have found old trees in the woods that are where old homesteads and before that, Indian camps. The are large round and thick skinned and have lots of seeds. Someone told me they are probably some of the first type of trees brought to Florida well before all the hybrids started. They are growing well. I have started them in the seedling starter trays. I placed the plastic cover over them. They are now now about 3 inches high with 3 to 4 leaves. Your article speaks about starting in pots but since I have mine in the small pre-mixed seedling cups what do you suggest I do from here? From what I’ve read here they are ready for transplanting into bigger pot but how big? I’ve had them outside on my porch in bright indirect sun. Just need a little help here. Thanks lots

  3. Forgot to add that we picked up some of the grapefruit that well on the way to rotten and brought them home too. When I opened them the seed already started rooting. That was pretty cool

  4. I’ve had my grapefruit plant, grown from a seed, for probably 20 years.
    I would love it to flower and produce fruit.
    Any suggestions.
    This year I’ve tried feeding with a potash fertiliser, but as yet nothing.
    Thanks

  5. Picked up some delicious Florida grapefruit last year on our way home to Charlotte, NC. Saved some seeds and did the paper towel rooting thing; have 9 growing now. Transplanted them 3 times in potting soil, so far. Tallest one is about 16” and the shortest is about 5”. Brought them in to our sunroom for the winter but had them out in full sun in the summer. They look great.

  6. Pingback: Is GSE Safe For Pregnant Women? The Pros And Cons Of Taking GSE During Pregnancy – Expecting Mother's Blog

  7. I just germinated 3 grapefruit seeds ❤️. I am wondering if I can just plant them in separate pots as they’ll need to spend the winters inside as I’m in Oregon, soon to be moving to Northwestern Washington.

  8. Our grapefruits imported into UK don’t have any seeds apart from tiny flat ones so guessing they’ve been bred not to grow viable seeds. Yet last year they had huge seeds from same supplier. Wishing I’d saved some now.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share This

Trending

ShadowBirds

Newsletter

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER TODAY

Newsletter