Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

dwarf ruby red grapefruit tree

Brighten your backyard and breakfast table with the dwarf ruby red grapefruit tree—especially the popular Grapefruit 'Star Ruby'. This compact citrus tree is a favourite among New Zealand gardeners for its ease of growing, stunning ruby-hued fruit, and remarkable flavour. Whether you’re looking to make homegrown juice, liven up salads, or simply enjoy a vibrant ornamental, Grapefruit 'Star Ruby' delivers exceptional taste in a manageable size, ideal for smaller gardens or containers.

Grapefruit 'Star Ruby'

Grapefruit 'Star Ruby' is a variety of grapefruit that produces good yields of medium-sized, golden coloured fruit that are mostly seedless. The flesh is red, juicy, and has a pleasant flavour. The fruit ripens from winter to spring and is often used as a breakfast fruit, for juicing, or in marmalade. It grows densely with glossy, dark green foliage, reaching about 3 m in height and the same width. Grapefruit 'Star Ruby' is commonly grown for fruit production, but also makes a lovely addition to a mixed planting and can be maintained in a large container.

Grapefruit 'Star Ruby' fruit with red flesh.
  • Suited to regions:
    Subtropical, Temperate
  • Plant type:
    Citrus
  • Height:
    3.00 m
  • Spread:
    3.00 m
  • Flowering time:
    Summer
  • Garden uses:
    Containers, Pool areas, Screening
  • Garden styles:
    Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Grapefruit 'Cutler's Red' orange fruit.
Most Popular

Grapefruit 'Cutlers Red'

Grapefruit 'Cutlers Red' produces good yields of large, deep orange, juicy fruit from winter through spring. The rind is thick but easily peeled. It...

From$343.89
Grapefruit 'Golden Special' yellow fruit with yellow flesh.
Most Popular

Grapefruit 'Golden Special'

Grapefruit 'Golden Special' is one of the most popular grapefruit varieties due to its large, juicy fruit, which is mostly seedless. The fruit ripens...

From$49.88
Grapefruit 'Morrison's Seedless' fruit.
Most Popular

Grapefruit 'Morrison's Seedless'

Grapefruit 'Morrisons Seedless' produces high yields of large, golden coloured fruit that are mostly seedless. The round and thin-skinned fruit...

Grapefruit 'Wheeny' light orange fruit on a tree.
Most Popular

Grapefruit 'Wheeny'

Grapefruit 'Wheeny' produces good yields of large-sized, pale-yellow fruit with a relatively thin skin. The flesh is light in colour, very juicy, and...

Grapefruit 'Hawaiian' blush orange coloured fruit.
Most Popular

Grapefruit 'Hawaiian'

Grapefruit 'Hawaiian' produces large, pale-yellow fruit with a thick rind. The fruit ripens from winter to spring and is used as a breakfast fruit...

'Valencia' orange fruit.
Most Popular

Orange 'Valencia'

The ‘Valencia’ orange is a world-famous citrus variety celebrated for its sweet, juicy flavour and excellent juicing qualities. Perfect for New...

From$49.88
'Bearss' Lime green fruit.
Most Popular

Lime Bearss

The 'Bearss' Lime, also known as Persian or Tahitian lime, is a vigorous, nearly thornless citrus tree that thrives in New Zealand’s warmer regions...

From$299.92
Yellow 'Lemonade' Lemon fruit on a tree.
Most Popular

Lemon 'Lemonade'

The ‘Lemonade’ Lemon is a unique citrus variety producing sweet, refreshing fruit that can be eaten straight from the tree. Its flavour is...

From$299.92
'Satsuma' Mandarin orange fruit.
Most Popular

Mandarin 'Satsuma'

Mandarin ‘Satsuma’ is one of New Zealand’s favourite early-season mandarins, producing sweet, juicy, seedless fruit with a delicate flavour and...

From$49.88
Yellow 'Yen Ben' Lemons.
Most Popular

Lemon 'Yen Ben'

The ‘Yen Ben’ Lemon is a high-quality lemon variety prized for its smooth skin, abundant juice, and tangy flavour. Popular with chefs and home cooks...

From$43.13
Grapefruit 'Star Ruby'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring Grapefruit or Grapefruit Trees.

Search Grapefruit 'Star Ruby'

Why Choose a Dwarf Ruby Red Grapefruit Tree?

The dwarf ruby red grapefruit tree is prized for its space-saving form and early fruiting. Unlike standard grapefruit trees, dwarfs usually reach a manageable 2 to 2.5 metres, making them easy to harvest and perfect for patios, decks, and urban gardens. Grapefruit 'Star Ruby' rewards you with profuse clusters of juicy, seedless fruit featuring deep red flesh and a thin, easy-to-peel rind. The sweet-tart flavour makes it the gold standard for breakfast or fresh-squeezed juice.

Growing Grapefruit 'Star Ruby' in New Zealand

Grapefruit 'Star Ruby' thrives in New Zealand’s well-drained soils and sunny, sheltered spots. For the best results, plant your tree in a north-facing position protected from strong winds. Dwarf ruby red grapefruit trees adapt well to large pots when grown in quality citrus potting mix, making them a practical option for renters or smaller spaces. Pair your tree with healthy Citrus Rootstock to ensure strong growth and resilience against pests and diseases.

Regular watering during dry spells and a layer of mulch will help retain soil moisture. Applying a specialist citrus fertiliser in spring and summer keeps your tree healthy and productive. Pruning is minimal—just remove dead or crossing branches—to maintain the tidy, compact form.

When and How to Harvest

Dwarf ruby red grapefruit trees generally produce fruit within 2-3 years of planting. Star Ruby’s fruits are ready for harvest from late winter through spring, with the best flavour developing after a slight chill. The fruit holds well on the tree, giving you a longer picking window and ensuring homegrown grapefruit nearly year-round.

Expand Your Citrus Collection

If you’re passionate about citrus, consider adding other varieties to your garden for continuous harvest and even greater flavour diversity. Popular with collectors and home gardeners alike, try Grapefruit 'Cutlers Red', Grapefruit 'Golden Special', Grapefruit 'Morrison's Seedless', Grapefruit 'Wheeny', or the fruity Grapefruit 'Hawaiian'. Love a varied orchard? Round it out with Mandarin 'Okitsu', Mandarin 'Richards Special', zesty Lime Kusaie, or the richly coloured Orange 'Tarocco'.

The Joy of Homegrown Citrus

A dwarf ruby red grapefruit tree, especially Grapefruit 'Star Ruby', brings beauty, fragrance, and flavour into your garden or patio. With minimal care, you’ll be rewarded with healthful, delicious fruit season after season. Discover the satisfaction of picking your own grapefruit and enjoy exploring other unique citrus varieties for a thriving, bountiful backyard.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.9

429 Google reviews