Star Fruit 'Lara' (Averrhoa carambola)
The Lara variety of Carambola, or “Star Fruit” as they’re commonly called due to their crisp star-shaped fruit, is a fast-growing, heavy producing evergreen tropical fruit tree. The Florida hybrid ‘Lara’ Carambola is known for its rich yellow-orange color and snappy, sweet flavor.
Carambola produces prolific and gorgeous, pink, purple, and white flowers. These flowers stem off of woody branches, and bear a lot of fruit in the summer and fall. Carambola will bloom throughout most of the year, but prominently throughout May and September/October. The bright yellow to orange fruit is naturally waxy with a length and width that varies slightly by cultivar. The flavor is similar to a sweet-tart blend of green apple, pear, grape, and citrus. In Florida, harvest season is generally from June through February, with peaks in fruit production during August through September, and December through February.
Star Fruit is easy to grow in a container and can thrive in a large pot. In the colder months they may lose their leaves, so they should be overwintered indoors if temperatures reach below freezing! Prune Carambola trees in late winter.
Plant Type:
Tropical / Subtropical Evergreen Fruit Tree
Harvest Season:
Winter, Spring, Year-round
Star fruit and Bilimbi will bloom and fruit throughout most of the year, but will prominently flower from late Spring to Fall and fruit Winter through Spring.
Mature Size:
7-30 ft
Soil & Moisture:
Well-drained, high fertility and good moisture-holding capacity; High nitrogen demands. Regular watering throughout the first year and throughout flowering and fruiting season.
Light Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Shade, Shade
Prefers part shade or filtered light but will thrive in a variety of light conditions from full sun to shade.
Self-Fertile:
Yes
Growth Rate:
Medium
Zone Hardiness:
Outdoors 9-11; Patio/Greenhouse 4+
Star Fruit and Bilimbi are both easy to grow in a container and can thrive in a large pot. In the colder months, until well-established, Star Fruit and Bilimbi trees may lose their leaves, so they could be overwintered indoors if temperatures reach below freezing. Prune trees in late winter.
Propagation:
Large Pot Size: Grafted and capable of harvest within 1-2 years.
X-Large Pot Size: Grafted and capable of harvest within 1 year.
See More:
Sow Exotic offers many different unique varieties of Star Fruit!
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