Citrus x paradisi 'Ruby Red'
Light: Full sun, ideally 8 or more hours daily; young trees benefit from temporary afternoon shade during extreme summer heat.
Water: Deep, regular irrigation; not drought tolerant. For established trees, wet soil 2–3 feet deep beneath and beyond the canopy, then let the upper few inches dry. Water more frequently in summer and less in winter; newly planted trees need closer monitoring.
Soil: Well-drained sandy loam or loam. Tolerates alkaline desert soil, but poor drainage and salt accumulation can cause problems. Keep the root flare exposed and mulch away from the trunk.
Mature size: Typically 15–25 feet tall and wide on standard rootstock; dwarfing rootstocks and pruning can keep trees smaller.
Bloom: Primarily late winter through spring in Phoenix; fruit generally ripens from winter into spring and becomes sweeter with time on the tree.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.
Growth rate: Moderate; grafted trees often begin bearing within 3–5 years after planting.