Permascaping, by Homegrown Foods
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Round yellow-green araza fruit among leaves

Native & adapted

Araza

Eugenia stipitata

Also known as Arazá · Amazonian guava · Araçá-boi

A small Amazonian shrub in the guava family with very aromatic, very sour yellow fruit. Best grown in a large container with acidic soil and afternoon shade.

EdibleFruitingContainer friendlyFrost tender
Landscape layersUnderstory
Mature size6–10 ft tall and 4–6 ft wide
Climate fitUrban core · USDA 9b–10a
Plant spacing6 ft between plants
FrostDamaged near 32°F; protect on every frost night.
Special categoriesEDIBLE
Hardiness guidanceUSDA 10b–11; protect below about 32°F
Winter chillNone
Typical harvestFruit can come several times a year in the warm season.

Before you plant

These conditions determine whether it will thrive.

Soil chemistry

Needs acidic soil, roughly pH 5 to 6.5. In Phoenix that means a raised bed or large container of acidic potting mix, regular soil sulfur and, ideally, rainwater or filtered water, since tap water is alkaline and salty.

Required microclimatePlacement is part of the growing system.

Large container in filtered shade, moved under cover on frost nights.

Cold hardinessCover on every frost night

Mature plants take a brief dip to about 30°F and young ones none at all. Treat it as a container plant in Phoenix and move it in or cover it any night near freezing.

Leaves and wood: damaged below 30°F
Heat toleranceNeeds afternoon shade

An Amazon tree that wants steady warmth and humidity, so dry west sun scorches the leaves and burns young plants fast. Give it filtered or afternoon shade and steady moisture; expect it to sulk through June and July even then.

Sources: toptropicals.com

Right plant, right place

Will Araza grow at your Arizona property?

Grows well in a 30-gallon or larger pot.

Best regional fit: Urban core · USDA 9b–10a.

Light

Sun exposure

Morning sun with afternoon shade from June through September, such as the east side of a house or under a taller nurse tree. Protect from frost on winter nights.

Water

Irrigation

High and steady; keep the soil moist.

Fruit set

Pollination

Self-fertile.

Harvest

How to use it

Too sour to eat out of hand; used for juice, sorbet, ice cream and jam.

Planting & stewardship

How to help Araza thrive

  1. 1

    Water with low-salt water when possible.

  2. 2

    Feed with an acid-forming fertilizer.

  3. 3

    Shade from afternoon sun.

  4. 4

    Protect below 32°F.

Read the horticultural reference ↗

Keep exploring

More plants for this system