How to grow Sapodilla in Australia
A slow, tough tropical evergreen for the far north (NQ, Darwin) and warm frost-free SEQ pockets. The fruit tastes of brown sugar and pear.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 15 litres a week, watered every 4 days
- Spacing: 600 cm
- Time to harvest: 365 days (about 1 year)
- Time to germinate: 30 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7.5
- Frost tolerance: Frost tender
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | October to December | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | October to December | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | Not suited | Not viable in Sydney. Too cold for this slow tropical tree. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | Not suited | Not viable in Melbourne. True tropical only. |
| Adelaide & SA | Not suited | Not viable in Adelaide. True tropical only. |
| Perth & WA | Not suited | Not viable in Perth. 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 | November to March | Plant Nov to Mar once the wet season rains arrive. Very wind and salt tolerant, a good tree for exposed coastal yards. |
| Darwin & Top End | November to March | Plant Nov to Mar once the wet sets in. A proven Top End tree that shrugs off wind, salt and poor soil. |
Harvest and storage
Storage
Ripen on the bench, then fridge a few days.