Native & adapted

Starfruit

Averrhoa carambola

Also known as Carambola · Star fruit · Khế

A bushy, productive tree with star-shaped fruit. Easy in Phoenix with afternoon shade for its first few summers and protection from frost.

EdibleFruitingContainer friendlyEvergreenFrost tender

Landscape layersLower canopy · Understory

Mature size

6–10 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide in Phoenix

Climate fit

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

Plant spacing

8–10 ft from other trees

Frost

Young trees damaged at 32°F; mature trees handle brief dips to about 27°F.

Special categories

EDIBLE

Hardiness guidance

USDA 10–11; young trees damaged near 32°F

Winter chill

None

Typical harvest

Main crop late summer through winter.

Before you plant

These conditions determine whether it will thrive.

Soil chemistry

Fast-draining soil rich in compost. Phoenix soil is alkaline, so work in soil sulfur and organic matter and use chelated iron if new leaves turn yellow between the veins.

Required microclimate

Placement is part of the growing system.

East-facing spot or under filtered shade, sheltered from wind and frost.

Cold hardiness

Cover in a hard freeze below 32°F

Young leaves are killed at 30 to 32°F and young trees at 27 to 29°F, while mature trees take brief dips to about 27°F with little damage. Cover young trees every frost night, and established trees when a hard freeze is forecast.

Leaves and wood: damaged below 32°F

Heat tolerance

Needs afternoon shade

It hates hot, dry wind: in a hot interior valley of Israel every tree died from it, and its daytime limit is about 102°F. Plant on the east side or under filtered shade, out of the wind, and keep the soil evenly moist.

Sources:

edis.ifas.ufl.edu , hort.purdue.edu

Right plant, right place

Will Starfruit grow at your Arizona property?

Grows well in a large container. Pruning to about 6 ft keeps it bushy and productive.

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

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

Moderate. Deep water twice a week in summer; keep the soil from drying out completely.

Fruit set

Pollination

Most varieties are self-fertile; planting two varieties can increase fruit set.

Harvest

How to use it

Fresh, sliced into stars, juiced or dried. People with kidney disease should avoid it.

Planting & stewardship

How to help Starfruit thrive

1
Shade from afternoon sun for the first two or three summers.
2
Feed with chelated iron and micronutrients if new leaves yellow.
3
Prune to keep it around 6 ft and full.
4
Cover on nights below 32°F.

Read the horticultural reference ↗