Overview

Cultivate a taste of the tropics with your very own star apple caimito tree. This magnificent caimito live plant, also known scientifically as Chrysophyllum cainito, is a highly sought-after tropical fruit tree renowned for its unique, star-shaped fruit and stunning foliage. Originating from the Caribbean and Central America, the star apple is a vigorous grower that can thrive in suitable climates or be nurtured indoors in cooler regions. Its glossy green leaves have a beautiful golden-brown underside, adding an ornamental touch even before the fruit appears. The star apple fruit, typically purple or green, reveals a sweet, milky pulp and a distinctive star pattern when cut horizontally, making it a true garden marvel and a delightful treat.

Our tropical fruit tree specimen arrives as a healthy, established plant in a 1-gallon pot, ready for transplanting into a larger container or directly into your garden. Growing your own star apple ensures access to fresh, exotic fruit and provides a rewarding gardening experience. Whether you’re an experienced horticulturist or a budding plant enthusiast, this tree offers an exciting opportunity to expand your edible landscape or indoor plant collection. The purple star apple variety is particularly prized for its vibrant skin and sweet, juicy flesh, making it a standout choice for any fruit lover.

Key Benefits

The star apple caimito tree offers a wealth of benefits beyond its delicious fruit, making it a fantastic addition to any garden or patio. Its ornamental value, combined with the joy of harvesting your own exotic produce, creates a truly unique gardening experience.

• Exotic Fruit Production: Enjoy the unique pleasure of harvesting your own sweet, milky star apple fruit directly from your tree. The distinct flavor is a tropical delight unmatched by store-bought options.
• Ornamental Appeal: With its glossy green leaves and shimmering golden-brown undersides, the caimito live plant serves as an attractive landscape feature or a striking container plant, adding a touch of elegance to any setting.
• Health Benefits: Star apples are rich in vitamins A and C, fiber, and antioxidants, contributing to a healthy diet and overall well-being.
• Shade Provider: When mature, this tropical fruit tree can offer ample shade, creating a cool and comfortable spot in your garden during hot summer months.
• Unique Culinary Ingredient: Explore new culinary adventures by incorporating the star apple’s sweet pulp into desserts, smoothies, or enjoy it fresh as a refreshing snack.
• Educational Value: Growing a purple star apple can be an educational experience for children and adults alike, teaching about tropical horticulture and the journey from plant to plate.
• Air Purification: Like many plants, the star apple contributes to improved air quality, helping to filter pollutants and release oxygen into its surroundings.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your star apple caimito tree requires attention to its specific tropical needs, but with the right conditions, it will flourish. This caimito live plant thrives in warm, humid environments and is not tolerant of frost. If you live in a region with cold winters, it’s best to grow it in a large container that can be moved indoors during cooler months. The tree prefers a location with full sun exposure, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Adequate sunlight is crucial for fruit production and overall plant health. Ensure it is protected from strong winds, especially when young, as these can damage its delicate branches.

The ideal soil for a tropical fruit tree is well-draining, fertile, and rich in organic matter, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). When planting, amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve its structure and nutrient content. Consistent watering is essential, especially during dry periods and when the tree is actively growing or fruiting. The soil should remain consistently moist but never waterlogged, as this can lead to root rot. Reduce watering slightly during dormant periods. Fertilize your purple star apple regularly during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer, switching to a high-potassium formula when fruit development begins. Pruning should be done to maintain shape, remove dead or diseased branches, and encourage better air circulation and fruit production.

Size & Details

This star apple caimito tree is shipped as a healthy, actively growing specimen in a 1-gallon nursery pot. At the time of shipping, it typically stands between 12 to 24 inches tall, though exact height may vary depending on growth stage. The plant is well-rooted and ready for transplanting into a larger container, such as a 5-gallon pot, or directly into the ground if your climate permits. With proper care, this caimito live plant can grow into a substantial tree, reaching heights of 25-50 feet in ideal outdoor conditions, though it will remain smaller when grown in a container. It has a moderate to fast growth rate, and you can expect it to begin fruiting within 3-5 years under optimal conditions. The fruit typically ripens in late winter to early spring.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: When grown in the ground in tropical climates, a star apple caimito tree can reach 25-50 feet tall. In a container, its size will be significantly more manageable, typically 6-15 feet, depending on pot size and pruning.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: Your caimito live plant will arrive in a 1-gallon nursery pot, ready for transplanting.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The tropical fruit tree is best grown outdoors in USDA Zones 10-11. In cooler climates, it can be grown in a container and brought indoors during the colder months.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: Star apple trees thrive in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth and fruit production.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: While it has specific requirements for warmth and consistent moisture, the star apple is relatively easy to care for once its environmental needs are met, making it suitable for intermediate gardeners.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your purple star apple will arrive as a healthy, live plant, carefully packaged to minimize stress during transit. Some minor leaf drop may occur due to shipping.
• Q: How long until it blooms? A: Under optimal growing conditions, a young star apple caimito tree typically begins to bloom and produce fruit within 3-5 years after planting.
• Q: What’s the minimum temperature it can tolerate? A: Star apple trees are very sensitive to cold and cannot tolerate frost. Temperatures below 30°F (-1°C) can cause significant damage or death.
• Q: Can I grow this plant from seed? A: While possible, growing a caimito live plant from seed can take longer to fruit and may not produce a tree identical to the parent. Grafted trees are often preferred for faster and more reliable fruit production.
• Q: What kind of fruit does it produce? A: It produces a round to oval fruit, typically purple or green, with a sweet, milky, jelly-like pulp and a distinctive star pattern when cut in half.