How to grow Soursop in Australia
Soursop (Annona muricata) is a small tropical tree in the custard apple family with large, spiny green fruit, often 2 kg or more. Inside is soft, white, creamy flesh with a tangy flavour somewhere between pineapple, banana and citrus. It needs warmth, humidity and shelter, so it suits North Queensland, the Top End and warm, frost-free coastal gardens further south.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Soursop in Australia
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | October to December | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | October to December | Coastal gardens only. A tender tropical that hinterland and Lismore basin frosts will kill, so plant in a warm, sheltered, frost free spot. |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | Not suited | Not viable in Sydney. Needs true tropical warmth and humidity. |
| 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 in the wet. The humid Wet Tropics around Cairns suit soursop best; shelter it from strong wind. |
| Darwin & Top End | November to March | Plant Nov to Mar in the wet. Needs shelter from wind and regular water through the dry season. |
Not to be confused with: Custard Apple, a close relative with knobbly rather than spiny skin and sweeter, less tangy flesh, which grows further south.
Where to plant
Soursop needs a warm, humid, frost-free climate, full sun and shelter from strong wind, which damages the large leaves and fruit. It prefers a loose, rich, deep loam that drains well, and copes better with wet tropical conditions than many of its relatives. Temperatures below freezing injure it.
It stays fairly small, usually under about 6 m, so it fits a suburban garden.
- North Queensland: plant from November to March, in the wet. The humid Wet Tropics around Cairns suit it best.
- Darwin: plant from November to March and water regularly through the dry season. Shelter it from wind.
- South East Queensland and the Northern Rivers: plant from October to December in a warm, sheltered, frost-free coastal spot. Frost in the hinterland and the Lismore basin will kill it.
- Sydney and the southern states: not suited.
Choosing a variety
Soursop is often grown from seed, which takes about three to five years to fruit and can be a shy bearer. Grafted trees of named selections, such as fibreless types, are available from tropical fruit nurseries and tend to crop sooner and more reliably.
How to plant
- Choose a warm, sunny, sheltered spot with deep, well-drained soil.
- Dig in compost and plant at the same depth as the pot.
- Water in well and mulch over the root area, keeping mulch off the trunk.
- Water young trees regularly while they establish, especially through the dry season.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil moist through flowering and fruit development, and water deeply through dry spells. Soursop likes humidity and regular moisture but not waterlogged soil.
Feed through the warm months with a balanced fruit tree fertiliser and compost. Annonas need more zinc than most fruit trees: zinc deficiency shows as small, stunted shoots and mottled leaves, and Queensland growers have improved cropping with zinc sulphate.
Pruning and care through the year
- Fruit set is often poor, and misshapen fruit is a sign of incomplete pollination. Hand pollinating flowers with a small brush can improve the crop.
- Prune lightly after harvest to keep the tree compact and open, and remove dead or crossing branches.
- Support or bag heavy fruit in windy spots, and check developing fruit for mealybugs and fruit fly.
Harvesting
Fruit mainly ripens from summer into autumn. Pick it when it is full sized and mature but still firm; growers look for the skin turning a slightly duller, lighter green and the soft spines spreading apart. Ripen it at room temperature for a few days, and it is ready to eat when it gives slightly to gentle pressure.
Ripe soursop bruises easily and does not keep long. Refrigerate it once soft and eat it within a couple of days, or freeze the pulp.
Using it
Scoop out the white pulp and remove the black seeds, which should not be eaten. Use it fresh, in smoothies, drinks, sorbets and ice cream.
Companion planting
Soursop does best in a tropical fruit garden with shelter from wind, often provided by other trees.
Good companions
- Tropical fruit trees Neighbouring tropical trees help provide the shelter and humidity soursop likes.
Pests and diseases
Soursop has a few pests that need watching, mainly on the fruit.
Pests to watch for
- Mealybug White, cottony insects clustered on fruit and stems, often with sooty mould.
- Fruit fly Sting marks and soft, rotting patches on ripening fruit.
Diseases to watch for
- Anthracnose Dark, sunken spots on flowers, young fruit and leaves in wet weather, causing fruit drop. Prune for air flow and remove affected fruit.
Common questions
Can I grow soursop in Brisbane?
Possibly, in a warm, sheltered, frost-free coastal spot, planted between October and December. It is much more reliable in North Queensland and Darwin. Frost will kill it.
How long does soursop take to fruit?
About three to five years from seed. Grafted trees usually fruit sooner and more reliably.
Why is my soursop fruit misshapen?
Lumpy, misshapen fruit is usually a sign of poor pollination, where only part of the flower was pollinated. Hand pollinating the flowers with a small brush can help.
How do I know when soursop is ripe?
Pick the fruit when it is full sized and mature but still firm, then ripen it at room temperature. It is ready to eat when it gives slightly to gentle pressure.
Why is my soursop not fruiting?
Soursop is often a shy bearer. Common causes are poor pollination, young age, cold, and zinc deficiency, which Annonas are prone to. Hand pollination and a zinc supplement have helped Queensland growers.
Can you eat soursop seeds?
No. Remove the black seeds and eat only the white pulp.
Sources we checked: Rare Fruit Club archives: Soursop (Rare Fruit Council Australia, 1981); Rare Fruit Club archives: Cuban fibreless soursop and zinc (1992).