Citrus 'Swingle', Swingle citrumelo, pear-shaped yellow fruit on a thorny branch.
Citrus 'Swingle', Swingle citrumelo, yellow citrus fruit among trifoliate foliage.
Citrus 'Swingle', hardy citrumelo, ripe yellow fruit close-up.
Citrus 'Swingle', Swingle citrumelo, fruiting branches.
Citrus 'Swingle', hardy citrumelo, yellow fruit and thorny stems.
Citrus 'Swingle', Swingle citrumelo, fruit and foliage.
Citrus 'Swingle', hardy citrumelo, yellow fruit on a young tree.
Citrus 'Swingle', Swingle citrumelo, pear-shaped yellow fruit on a thorny branch.
Citrus 'Swingle', Swingle citrumelo, yellow citrus fruit among trifoliate foliage.
Citrus 'Swingle', hardy citrumelo, ripe yellow fruit close-up.
Citrus 'Swingle', Swingle citrumelo, fruiting branches.
Citrus 'Swingle', hardy citrumelo, yellow fruit and thorny stems.
Citrus 'Swingle', Swingle citrumelo, fruit and foliage.
Citrus 'Swingle', hardy citrumelo, yellow fruit on a young tree.
Pollinator Drought Tolerant Fragrant

Swingle Citrumelo

Citrus 'Swingle'

$38.00 Sold out
1 Gallon USDA Zones 7–10 Full Sun Matures 12–15 Feet

Citrus 'Swingle', the Swingle citrumelo, is among the hardiest of all citrus, a thorny grapefruit-trifoliate hybrid with fragrant bloom and tart yellow fruit.

Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery

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Roots wrapped in moist soil and padded for safe transit
Grown and shipped from our nursery in Aiken, SC
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The Full Story

Named for Walter Tennyson Swingle, the pioneering citrus breeder who spent his career crossing tender oranges with the iron-hardy trifoliate orange, the Swingle citrumelo is among the toughest citrus hybrids ever raised. A cross of grapefruit, Citrus paradisi, and trifoliate orange, Poncirus trifoliata, this vigorous, thorny, semi-evergreen shrub or small tree carries fragrant white citrus blossoms in spring, followed by pear-shaped yellow fruits about the size of a large orange.

The fruit is sour and seedy, more useful than sweet, but the bright acidity finds a place in marmalades, cocktails, marinades, and the kitchen generally. What sets the citrumelo apart is sheer constitution: hardy to about 10 degrees Fahrenheit once established, disease resistant, and adaptable to a wide range of soils, qualities that have made Swingle citrumelo one of the most trusted rootstocks in commercial citrus across the southeastern United States.

In the garden, grow the citrumelo as a hardy ornamental citrus or a productive novelty in full sun and well-drained soil, in the ground through zones 8b to 10 or in a large container to overwinter in colder regions. Drought and poor soils are taken in stride once the plant is settled. Give room for a broad, thorny grower, and site where the fragrant spring bloom and bold yellow fruit can be enjoyed at a safe reach from the thorns.
Will this plant thrive in your zone?

Plant Profile
At a glance
Hardiness
USDA Zones 7–10
Sun
Full Sun
Soil
Well-drained
Mature size
Height 12–15 Feet · Spread 12–15 Feet
Growth rate
Moderate
Seasonality
Semi-Evergreen
Design Notes

A tough, thorny, hardy citrus for the collector, the adventurous cook, or anyone wanting an ornamental citrus that shrugs off cold and poor ground. Hardy to about 10 degrees Fahrenheit, drought and disease resistant, Swingle citrumelo grows in the ground through zones 8b to 10 or in a large container to overwinter farther north. Give full sun, well-drained soil, and room for a broad grower, and site the plant back from paths and seating, since the branches are thorny. Long valued as a citrus rootstock as well.

Flower, Fruit & Foliage

White, fragrant, late winter to spring

Flower. Fragrant white citrus blossoms in clusters from late winter into spring, sweetly scented and loved by bees.

Fruit. Pear-shaped yellow fruits about the size of a large orange, sour and seedy, prized for bright acidity in marmalades, cocktails, and marinades.

Foliage. Semi-evergreen foliage on vigorous, thorny branches; the trifoliate parentage shows in the leaves and the toughness.

Care

Read our full care guide

Light. Full sun; at least six to eight hours of direct sun daily for the best growth and fruiting.

Soil. Well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral ground, enriched with compost; adaptable to poorer soils but never waterlogged.

Water. Water regularly to establish, keeping the soil evenly moist; once settled the plant is notably drought tolerant, and needs less in winter.

Pruning. Prune in late winter to shape and to open the canopy; mind the thorns, and remove suckers on grafted plants.

Harvest. Fruit ripens in fall and winter; too sour to eat fresh, but the juice and zest brighten marmalades, drinks, and marinades.

Hardiness. USDA zones 7 to 10; among the hardiest citrus, to about 10 degrees Fahrenheit once established, with container culture in colder regions.

Here’s a closer look at how we produce our plants

From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.

Woodlanders Growing Process

Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.

Sustainable Growing Practices

Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.

Supporting Local Biodiversity

Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.

At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.
Grown in Aiken, South Carolina
At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.

All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.

Learn more about Woodlanders
Healthy plants, ready to thrive
Success, made simple
Healthy plants, ready to thrive

Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.

Read the care guide
Also found in
As written on The Node
A Field Guide to Cold-Hardy Citrus A Tang of Tenacity: The History of Cold-Hardy Citrus Varieties
Frequently Asked Questions
What to expect upon delivery

All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.

Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?

Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
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Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?

At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.

Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.