How to grow Black Sapote in Australia
Black sapote (Diospyros nigra, also listed as D. digyna) is a tropical relative of the persimmon from Mexico and Central America. Its green fruit ripen to a soft, dark brown pulp that tastes like chocolate pudding. It is a large, glossy evergreen tree for frost-free gardens, at its best in Queensland and the Top End, and it grows as far south as warm, sheltered gardens in Sydney.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Black Sapote in Australia
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | October to February | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | October to February | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | October to January | Marginal. Warm, frost free coastal gardens only; plant Oct to Jan. Slow to fruit in Sydney and young trees are killed by frost. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | Not suited | Not viable. True tropical only. |
| Adelaide & SA | Not suited | Not viable. True tropical only. |
| Perth & WA | Not suited | Not viable. True tropical only. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. True tropical only. Not viable in Tasmania. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Not viable. True tropical only. |
| North Queensland | September to March | Thrives in North QLD. Year-round warmth ideal. |
| Darwin & Top End | September to March | Darwin ideal. Year-round warmth. |
Where to plant
Plant black sapote in full sun in a frost-free, sheltered spot. It grows in a range of soils but does best in moist sandy loam, and unlike many tropical fruit trees it copes with short periods of flooding. Allow plenty of room: trees reach about 10 m in Darwin and need 8 to 10 m between them.
Young trees grow slowly, perhaps only 30 cm a year for the first couple of years, then much faster.
- North Queensland and Darwin: ideal. In Darwin fruit can ripen year round.
- South East Queensland and the Northern Rivers: grows and fruits well in frost-free spots, with the main crop in winter.
- Sydney: marginal. Warm, frost-free coastal gardens only; plant from October to January. Frost kills young trees.
- Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra and Hobart: not viable; it is a true tropical tree.
Choosing a variety
- Buy a grafted tree of a named variety. Seedlings vary widely in fruit quality and take 5 to 7 years to fruit.
- Bernecker (also spelt Bernicker) is a prolific variety with medium to large, nearly round fruit with few seeds.
- Mossman bears very large, round fruit with a high proportion of pulp.
- Maher has very large fruit on a small tree, about 4 m, which suits smaller gardens.
- Ricks Late, from New South Wales, gives heavy late crops of excellent fruit.
How to plant
- Plant in spring or early summer once the soil is warm.
- Dig a hole wider than the pot and plant at the same depth the tree grew in its pot.
- Water in well and mulch, keeping mulch off the trunk.
- Shelter young trees from wind and from any chance of cold for the first few years.
Watering and feeding
Water young trees regularly and keep them mulched. In the tropics, water regularly through the dry season. Established trees cope with less water elsewhere, but regular water while fruit is developing gives a better crop.
Feed a few times through the warm months with a balanced fertiliser or compost.
Pruning and care through the year
- Pruning is generally not needed except to keep the tree to a manageable size.
- Check for scale insects on stems and leaves, the main pest recorded in Darwin.
Harvesting
Black sapote does not ripen to soft on the tree in a way you can see. Pick fruit when the green cap (calyx) on top starts to lift away from the fruit all the way round, then leave it on the bench. It softens over several days, sometimes a week or two, and is ready when the skin is dull olive green and very soft, so a finger leaves a dent. It can look overripe when it is at its best.
Unripe fruit is bitter, astringent and irritating, so do not eat it until it is fully soft. Ripe pulp freezes well.
Using it
- Cut the soft fruit in half across the middle, twist the halves apart, remove any seeds and scoop out the pulp. Do not eat the skin.
- Eat it as is, or with lime or passionfruit juice or cream, or use it in smoothies, ice cream, mousse, cakes and muffins.
Companion planting
Black sapote fits well into a tropical orchard with other warm-climate fruit trees that need the same heat, water and shelter.
Good companions
- Tropical fruit trees Share the same frost-free climate, watering and mulching needs.
Pests and diseases
Black sapote has few pests or diseases. Scale is the main insect, and fruit bats and birds may take fruit.
Pests to watch for
- Scale Small, crusty bumps on stems and leaves, often with sticky honeydew and sooty mould.
- Birds Fruit pecked on the tree. Pick mature fruit and ripen it indoors.
- Fruit fly Sting marks and maggots in fruit left to soften on the tree. Picking at maturity and ripening indoors reduces the risk.
Black Sapote is rarely troubled by disease.
Common questions
How do you know when black sapote is ready to pick?
Pick when the green cap on top of the fruit starts to lift away all round. The fruit is still firm then. Leave it on the bench to soften over several days until it is very soft and dull olive green.
Does black sapote really taste like chocolate?
The ripe pulp is dark brown, soft and sweet, with a mild flavour often compared with chocolate pudding. It tastes more like chocolate with a little vanilla, cream or coffee added. Unripe fruit is bitter and astringent.
How long does black sapote take to fruit?
Grafted trees usually fruit within about two years. Seedling trees take 5 to 7 years and the fruit quality varies.
Can I grow black sapote in Brisbane or Sydney?
Yes in Brisbane and South East Queensland, in a frost-free spot. In Sydney it is marginal and only suits warm, frost-free coastal gardens; young trees are killed by frost.
How big does a black sapote tree grow?
Large. Trees reach about 10 m in Darwin and need 8 to 10 m of space. Growth is slow for the first few years, then much faster. The variety Maher stays smaller, at about 4 m, and grafted trees are more compact than seedlings.
Can you eat unripe black sapote?
No. Unripe fruit is astringent, bitter and can irritate the mouth. Wait until it is fully soft.
Sources we checked: City of Darwin Community Orchard: Black Sapote; Rob Pyne: Black sapote tree.