Honey pomelo (Citrus maxima) Live Plant

Bring Home the Sweet Citrus Giant: The Honey Pomelo Plant

Among the most celebrated citrus fruits in Asia, the Honey Pomelo stands out not just for its generous size but for its beautifully balanced flavor, gentle sweetness, and impressive health profile. Cultivating this plant in your home garden is more than an aesthetic choice—it’s a step toward wellness, tradition, and citrus indulgence.

▪ Botanical Identity and Common Names

• Botanical Name: Citrus maxima

• Common Name: Honey Pomelo

• Also Known As:

  • China: Youzi or Mi You (蜜柚)

  • Thailand: Som-O

  • India: Chakotra or Batabi Lebu (in Bengal)

As the largest citrus fruit in the world, Honey Pomelo holds deep-rooted cultural and culinary significance across the Asian continent and beyond.

▪ Taste and Culinary Pleasure

The flavor of Honey Pomelo is subtle and refreshing—a gentler cousin to the grapefruit.

• Mildly sweet, not bitter or overly sour

• Firm, less juicy pulp that peels apart cleanly

• Notes of floral citrus and a slight tang in the membranes

• Often enjoyed fresh, chilled, or sprinkled with salt or chili powder

In culinary circles, it’s popular in salads, fruit bowls, desserts, and citrus-based dressings. When paired with herbs like mint or basil, it transforms into a gourmet delight.

▪ Health Benefits and Nutritional Values

Eating Honey Pomelo is a flavorful way to nurture your health.

• Vitamin C-rich: Supports immunity and collagen production

• High in fiber: Promotes digestion and controls appetite

• Antioxidants: Helps fight inflammation and oxidative stress

• Low in calories and fat-free: Excellent for weight-watchers

• Potassium content: Supports heart health and lowers blood pressure

• Folate and B-complex vitamins: Essential for cell repair and metabolism

Regular consumption can help regulate cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of chronic illnesses.

▪ Growth Habits and Plant Care

Honey Pomelo trees are relatively easy to manage with basic care and are well-suited to tropical and subtropical climates.

• Grows as a medium to large-sized tree, often reaching 15–25 feet

• Prefers well-drained, fertile soil with neutral to slightly acidic pH

• Requires full sunlight for optimal fruiting

• Regular watering needed, especially during dry months

• Minimal pruning required, mostly to shape the canopy or remove dead wood

• Begins to fruit within 3–5 years of planting

Its robust nature makes it an excellent candidate for orchards or home gardens where space allows.

▪ Harvesting, Storage & Preservation

• Fruits are typically ready to harvest between late autumn and early winter

• Best picked when the rind turns light yellow and emits a mild citrus aroma

• Once harvested, they can be stored at room temperature for 1–2 weeks

• Refrigerated fruits stay fresh longer, up to 3–4 weeks

• Can be sectioned and frozen or made into preserves, marmalade, or candied citrus peels

The fruit keeps well, making it ideal for seasonal gifting and extended home use.

▪ Cultural and Traditional Relevance

Across Asia, Honey Pomelo is a symbol of abundance, good fortune, and protection.

• In Chinese households, it is offered during the Lunar New Year for prosperity

• In Vietnam, pomelos are displayed on ancestral altars

• In Indian folk traditions, pomelo juice is used during rituals and festive feasts

• The rind is often used in Ayurvedic remedies for digestive and skin disorders

This fruit transcends culinary appeal, blending seamlessly into the cultural identity of the regions where it's grown.

▪ Why It Belongs in Your Garden

Adding a Honey Pomelo tree to your garden is like welcoming a year-round provider of nutrition and beauty.

• Its large, shiny green leaves and showy white flowers create a visually impressive tree

• Fruit production is abundant and consistent under the right care

• Low pest issues and long fruit shelf-life make it home gardener-friendly

• Offers a sustainable and chemical-free citrus source at home

• Invites pollinators like bees and butterflies, enriching your green space

Whether you're focused on health, tradition, or gardening aesthetics, this plant checks every box.

At Veliyath Gardens, we nurture each Honey Pomelo plant with care so you receive a healthy, ready-to-thrive specimen. This isn’t just a fruit tree—it’s a thoughtful addition to your garden that delivers joy, nutrition, and beauty for years to come.