We investigated the effects of rapid and slow drying regimes on desiccation tolerance (DT) of developing pomelo seeds. Slow-dried seeds harvested at 130, 180, 210 or 235 days after anthesis (DAA) had greater DT than rapid-dried seeds (P < 0.05); However, when seeds were collected at 90 or 150 DAA, there was no significant difference in DT between the two drying treatments. Furthermore, the DT improvement from slow drying gradually decreased as seeds matured during the period from 180 to 235 DAA. It was concluded that the DT of intermediate C. maxima 'Mansailong' seeds following slow drying was higher than following rapid drying, but it depended on the seed developmental stage.