Overview

Discover the joy of growing your own exotic fruit with our premium sapodilla live plant. Also known by its botanical name, Manilkara zapota tree, the sapodilla is a remarkable tropical fruit tree celebrated for its exceptionally sweet and unique flavor. Originating from Tropical America, this live plant arrives at your doorstep approximately 3 feet tall and is carefully shipped in a 3 gallon pot, ready to thrive in its new environment. With an exquisite taste often described as a pear soaked in brown sugar, the sapodilla fruit is a true culinary delight, perfect for fresh eating, smoothies, or desserts. This robust specimen is an excellent choice for gardeners looking to cultivate delicious, home-grown tropical fruits.

Key Benefits

Cultivating a sapodilla live plant offers a wealth of advantages, transforming your garden into a source of unique beauty and delectable produce. This versatile tropical fruit tree is more than just a pretty face; it’s a rewarding investment for any plant enthusiast.

• Exquisite Flavor Profile: Enjoy the rich, sweet taste of fresh sapodilla fruit, reminiscent of brown sugar and pear. Its unique flavor is a highlight for any palate, making it a favorite for those who appreciate tropical delights.
• Versatile Culinary Uses: The fruit can be enjoyed fresh, blended into refreshing milkshakes, or incorporated into various cooked dishes and desserts, adding a tropical twist to your culinary creations.
• Ornamental Appeal: Beyond its delicious fruit, the Manilkara zapota tree boasts attractive foliage and a graceful growth habit, making it a beautiful addition to your landscape or a large container plant on a patio.
• Early Fruiting: Sapodilla varieties are known to begin bearing fruit relatively early, often within one to two years of planting, providing a quicker return on your gardening effort.
• Adaptable Growth: While preferring tropical climates, with proper care and protection, a sapodilla live plant can be grown in various warm regions, offering a taste of the tropics even outside its native range.
• Nutrient-Rich Fruit: Sapodilla fruit is not only delicious but also a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, contributing to a healthy diet.
• Long Fruiting Season: Enjoy a prolonged harvest season, typically from December to October, ensuring a steady supply of fresh, sweet fruit for much of the year.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your sapodilla live plant is a rewarding experience, leading to bountiful harvests of delicious fruit. To ensure your Manilkara zapota tree thrives, pay close attention to its environmental needs. Sapodilla trees prefer full sun exposure, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. If growing indoors or in a greenhouse, place it near a south-facing window or use supplemental grow lights to mimic these conditions. Adequate sunlight is crucial for fruit production and overall plant health. The ideal temperature range for sapodilla is tropical, with a damage temperature around 28°F, so protect it from frost if you live in cooler zones.

When it comes to watering, sapodilla trees appreciate consistent moisture, especially during their establishment phase and fruiting season. Water deeply when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry to the touch, ensuring good drainage to prevent root rot. While they can tolerate some drought once established, regular watering promotes better growth and fruit development. The best soil for how to grow sapodilla is a well-draining, rich loam. Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter to improve drainage and aeration. Fertilize your sapodilla plant with a balanced fertilizer designed for fruit trees during the growing season, typically every 2-3 months, following the product’s instructions. Keep an eye out for common pests and diseases, and address them promptly with organic or chemical treatments as needed. Proper air circulation and sanitation can help prevent many issues.

Size & Details

This offering is for one robust sapodilla live plant, which stands approximately 3 feet tall from the base of the pot to the top of the foliage. It is carefully grown and shipped in a sturdy 3 gallon nursery pot, providing a healthy root system for successful transplanting. The average mature height and width of a sapodilla tree can reach an impressive 20 feet by 20 feet, though size can vary by variety and growing conditions. This tropical fruit tree is known for its relatively fast growth rate, especially in ideal climates. You can expect your sapodilla to begin bearing fruit within one to two years of age, offering a delightful harvest from December to October. The fruit size and tree size can vary according to specific cultivars, but all promise that uniquely sweet, brown sugar-like flavor. This plant is ready to be a centerpiece in your garden or a productive addition to your edible landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: This sapodilla live plant is approximately 3 feet tall upon arrival. Mature sapodilla trees can reach an average height and width of 20 feet by 20 feet, depending on the variety and growing conditions.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: The plant is shipped in a sturdy 3 gallon pot, providing a good foundation for its root system and allowing for easy transplanting into your garden or a larger container.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Manilkara zapota tree is a tropical outdoor plant that thrives in warm climates (USDA zones 10-11). It can be grown indoors in large containers in cooler regions, provided it receives ample sunlight and protection from cold.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: Sapodilla trees require full sun exposure, ideally 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily, to ensure healthy growth and optimal fruit production.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: While sapodilla trees are relatively low-maintenance once established, they do require consistent watering, well-draining soil, and protection from frost, making them suitable for gardeners with some experience in tropical fruit trees.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your sapodilla live plant will arrive carefully packaged, approximately 3 feet tall, and actively growing in its 3 gallon nursery pot, ready for planting.
• Q: Can I use sapodilla fruit in cooking? A: Absolutely! The sweet sapodilla fruit is excellent fresh, in milkshakes, smoothies, or incorporated into various cooked dishes and desserts for a unique tropical flavor. This is a great way to enjoy your harvest from your own tropical fruit tree.
• Q: How long until it blooms and fruits? A: Sapodilla trees typically begin to bear fruit within one to two years of age. They have a long fruiting season, generally from December to October, offering a continuous supply of delicious fruit.
• Q: What’s the minimum temperature this plant can tolerate? A: The sapodilla live plant has a damage temperature of around 28°F. It is crucial to protect it from frost to prevent damage and ensure its survival in cooler climates.
• Q: Are there different varieties of sapodilla? A: Yes, there are various improved varieties of sapodilla, with differences in fruit size, texture, and tree size. All varieties, however, share the characteristic sweet flavor that makes sweet sapodilla fruit so desirable.