Native & adapted

Sapodilla

Manilkara zapota

Also known as Chico sapote · Chikoo · Naseberry · Níspero · Sa pô chê

A slow, tidy evergreen with brown-skinned fruit that tastes like a pear soaked in brown sugar. Its tolerance of alkaline and salty soil makes it a good fit for Phoenix.

EdibleFruitingEvergreenHeat tolerant

Landscape layersLower canopy

Mature size

15–25 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide in Phoenix

Climate fit

Urban core · USDA 9b–10a · Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b

Plant spacing

15–20 ft from other trees

Frost

Young trees damaged near 30°F; established trees survive brief dips to about 26°F.

Special categories

EDIBLE

Hardiness guidance

USDA 10–11; young trees damaged near 30°F, mature trees take brief dips to about 26°F

Winter chill

None

Typical harvest

Fruit ripens over a long season, mostly late spring into summer. Pick when the brown skin no longer shows green when scratched, then let it soften.

Before you plant

These conditions determine whether it will thrive.

Soil chemistry

Tolerates alkaline, sandy and somewhat salty soil if it drains.

Required microclimate

Placement is part of the growing system.

Sheltered, sunny spot with frost cover while young.

Cold hardiness

Cover in a hard freeze below 32°F

Young trees can be badly damaged or killed at 30 to 32°F, while mature trees take about 26°F for a few hours without major damage. Cover young trees every frost night and established trees in a hard freeze.

Leaves and wood: damaged below 32°F

Heat tolerance

Shade from late-afternoon sun

One of the tougher tropicals for dry heat: it is highly drought resistant once established and does fine in relatively dry climates, up to about 108°F. Phoenix peaks run hotter than that, so young trees still want afternoon shade for the first summers.

Sources:

edis.ifas.ufl.edu , hort.purdue.edu , tropical.theferns.info

Right plant, right place

Will Sapodilla grow at your Arizona property?

Slow growing, so it stays a manageable size for years. Grafted trees fruit in 1 to 2 years.

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

Light

Sun exposure

Afternoon shade for the first summers, then full or filtered sun.

Water

Irrigation

Moderate. Deep water once or twice a week in summer; drought tolerant once established.

Fruit set

Pollination

Most varieties are self-fertile.

Harvest

How to use it

Fresh, in shakes and in custards.

Planting & stewardship

How to help Sapodilla thrive

1
Protect young trees from afternoon sun and frost.
2
Feed lightly every 2 to 3 months in the warm season.
3
Prune lightly to shape after harvest.
4
Ripen picked fruit on the counter until it gives like a ripe pear.

Read the horticultural reference ↗