How to grow White Sapote in Australia
More cold tolerant than most tropicals, so it suits warm subtropical gardens (SEQ) as well as the tropics. A big shady tree with fruit that tastes of banana custard.
At a glance
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Sun: Full sun
- Water: 12 litres a week, watered every 4 days
- Spacing: 600 cm
- Time to harvest: 1095 days (about 3 years)
- Time to germinate: 30 days
- Soil pH: 6 to 7.5
- Frost tolerance: Half hardy
When to sow by region
| Region | When to sow | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to November | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to November | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | September to November | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | October and November | Marginal. Plant Oct to Nov against a warm wall once frosts pass. Young trees need frost cover for their first two winters. |
| Adelaide & SA | September and October | Plant Sep to Oct after frost in a sheltered spot. Water deeply through summer and shield young trees from hot north winds. |
| Perth & WA | September to November | |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. Needs a long warm season. Not viable in Tasmania. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Not viable. Canberra frosts are far colder than white sapote survives. |
| North Queensland | May to August | Plant May to Aug in the dry with regular watering. Best on the Atherton Tablelands; hot humid lowlands grow the tree but crop poorly. |
| Darwin & Top End | Not suited | Not reliable. A highland subtropical tree that crops poorly in hot humid lowlands. Try sapodilla instead. |
Harvest and storage
Storage
Ripen on the bench, then fridge a few days.