How to grow White Sapote in Australia
White sapote (Casimiroa edulis) is a large evergreen tree from the Central American highlands with round green to golden fruit and creamy, sweet flesh that tastes of banana custard. It is more cold tolerant than most tropical fruit, so it grows well in South East Queensland, northern New South Wales, Sydney and Perth, and it can be a very heavy cropper.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow White Sapote in Australia
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | 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. |
Not to be confused with: Black Sapote and Sapodilla, which are unrelated tropical fruits. White sapote is a citrus relative with pale, custard-like flesh.
Where to plant
White sapote comes from the highlands of Central America, so it prefers warm days and mild nights rather than hot, humid lowland tropics. It is drought resistant once established, needs full sun and well-drained soil, and does not like heavy, wet ground. It can grow into a big, shady tree up to about 15 m, so give it space or plan to prune it.
Fruit is easily damaged by wind and falls when ripe, so avoid planting it over paths, driveways or cars.
- South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers, Sydney and Perth: plant from September to November. These are among the best areas for it in Australia.
- Adelaide: plant in September or October after frost in a sheltered spot, water deeply through summer and shield young trees from hot north winds.
- Melbourne: marginal. Plant in October or November against a warm wall and protect young trees from frost for their first two winters.
- North Queensland: best on the Atherton Tablelands; plant from May to August with regular water. Hot, humid lowlands grow the tree but crop poorly. Darwin: not reliable.
- Hobart and Canberra: not suited.
Choosing a variety
Buy a grafted tree of a named variety. Seedlings are slow to fruit and variable in quality. Many varieties have been grown in Australia, including Pike, Blumenthal, Lomita, Vista and Golden Globe; flavours range from mild to strong and slightly resinous, so taste fruit from local growers or ask a specialist nursery which do well in your area.
How to plant
- Choose a sunny, well-drained spot with room for a large tree, away from paths and cars.
- Dig a wide hole, mix in compost, and plant at the same depth as the pot with the graft above soil level.
- Water in deeply and mulch over the root area, keeping mulch off the trunk.
- Water young trees regularly through their first summers and protect them from frost in cooler areas.
Watering and feeding
Water young trees regularly. Established trees are drought resistant, but deep watering through dry spells while the fruit is developing gives a better crop. Avoid waterlogging.
Feed in spring and summer with a balanced fruit tree fertiliser or compost.
Pruning and care through the year
- Train young trees for a strong, branched shape. Queensland growers cut the leader back by about a third when the tree is about 1 m tall, then repeat as the new leaders grow, to encourage branching.
- Prune mature trees after harvest to keep them to a pickable height.
- Treat scale with horticultural oil if it builds up on stems and leaves.
Harvesting
Pick fruit when it is full sized and the skin starts to change from green towards yellow or gold. Fruit can be picked hard and will still ripen with full flavour. Snip it off with a short stalk, as pulling can tear the skin, and handle it gently, as it bruises easily.
Ripen it at room temperature until it softens like a ripe avocado. Once soft, eat it within two or three days, or refrigerate it for a short time. The pulp freezes well.
Using it
Halve a ripe white sapote and scoop out the creamy flesh, discarding the skin and the large seeds. Eat it fresh, or use it in smoothies, ice cream and desserts. Do not eat the seeds.
Companion planting
White sapote grows into a large shade tree, so give it its own space at the edge of a subtropical fruit garden.
Good companions
- Fruit trees Suits a mixed subtropical orchard with room for its size.
Pests and diseases
White sapote has few serious problems, but fruit fly can attack the fruit in Queensland and New South Wales.
Pests to watch for
- Fruit fly Sting marks and soft, rotting patches in developing or ripe fruit. Pick fruit hard and ripen it indoors, and clear up fallen fruit.
- Scale Black or brown bumps on stems and leaves, often with sooty mould.
White Sapote is rarely troubled by disease.
Common questions
What does white sapote taste like?
Sweet and creamy, often compared to banana custard or a mix of banana, peach and pear. Some varieties have a slightly resinous aftertaste.
When is white sapote ripe?
Pick fruit when it is full sized and the skin starts to turn from green towards yellow. Ripen it on the bench until it is soft like a ripe avocado, then eat it within two or three days.
Can I grow white sapote in Sydney?
Yes. It is one of the more cold-tolerant subtropical fruits and grows well in Sydney, South East Queensland, the Northern Rivers and Perth. Protect young trees from frost.
Why is my white sapote dropping fruit?
Ripe fruit falls naturally, and wind knocks fruit off. Pick fruit when it is mature but still firm and ripen it indoors. Fruit fly stings can also cause fruit to drop and rot.
How big does a white sapote tree get?
Unpruned it can reach about 15 m. Training while young and pruning after harvest keep it to a manageable height.
Can you eat white sapote seeds?
No. Discard the seeds and eat only the flesh.
Sources we checked: Rare Fruit Club archives: White sapote (Fruit Spirit Research Nursery, 1983); Rare Fruit Club archives: Casimiroa varieties (1986).