Sugar Apple Seedling ‘Green’ (Annona Squamosa)
Regular price $19.95The Green Sugar Apple, also known as a sweetsop, is a Tropical/Subtropical Semi-Deciduous Fruit Tree/Shrub of the Annona family alongside the Cherimoya and Soursop. Native to Central America, the fruit tree is a common favorite in tropical climates where it is used for eating out of hand and juicing. The medium growth rate tree grows a pale green canopy around 20 ft. tall and flowers in spring with green, fleshy blossoms.
Similar to the Red Sugar Apple but green in exterior color, the heart-shaped Green Sugar Apple is the more common variety. It bears a fragrant, sweet and tropical flavor with soft, cream-colored flesh. The texture is creamy like custardy, with sugar-crystalized texture.The fruits grow large, glossy black inedible seeds. High in vitamin B6 and C, the Green Sugar Apple carries ample amounts of fiber and makes for a nutritious addition to a food forest.
Also known as: Annona, Sugar Apple, Cherimoya, Atemoya, Soursop, Custard Apple, Pond Apple
Plant Annona trees in full sun to part shade and provide rich, well-draining soil with consistent moisture. Water regularly during active growth and fruit development, avoiding waterlogged soil. These tropical and subtropical fruit trees are sensitive to frost, so protect young plants from cold temperatures or grow them in containers that can be moved to a sheltered location. Apply a balanced fertilizer during the growing season and prune lightly to maintain a healthy canopy. Some varieties benefit from hand pollination to improve fruit set, and flowering, cold tolerance, and fruiting timelines vary by species
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Annona spp. (various species including A. squamosa, A. reticulata, A. muricata, A. glabra, A. cherimola) |
| Common Names | Sugar Apple, Red Custard Apple, Soursop, Pond Apple, Cherimoya, Annona |
| Family | Annonaceae |
| Origin | Tropical Americas (Caribbean, Central & South America) |
| Plant Type | Tropical/Subtropical Evergreen or Semi-Deciduous Fruit Tree/Shrub |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Mature Size | Up to 35 ft. |
| Light | Full Sun, Part Shade (best fruit production with more sun) |
| Water Needs | Moderate to High (regular moisture; avoid waterlogging; deep watering during growing/fruiting seasons; reduced watering in winter dormancy) |
| Soil | Rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil |
| Bloom Time | Spring to Summer |
| Flower Color | Greenish-Yellow to Pale Green |
| USDA Zones | Outdoors 9–11 (with frost protection until established); Patio/Greenhouse 4+ |
| Florida Native | No |
| Propagation | Seed, Air-layering (our Annonas are grown from seed and air-layering and can fruit in 2–5 years) |
| Seasonal Traits | Semi-Deciduous in cooler temps; may defoliate below ~40°F; evergreen in deep tropics |
| Growth Rate | Fast to Medium |
| Self-Fertile | Yes |
| Harvest Season | Late Summer – Fall |
| Time to Harvest | 2–5 Years (varies by species and growing conditions) |
| Notes | Annona (from Taíno annon) is a genus in the pawpaw/sugar apple family, Annonaceae. The name derives from anón, a Hispaniolan Taíno word for the fruit. Includes Sugar Apple, Red Custard Apple, Soursop, Cherimoya, and Pond Apple varieties. |
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