Product Bio

The sugar apple tree (Annona squamosa) is native to the Amazon rainforest and is hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 11. It grows to 25 feet in height with an equal spread, and bears fruit that resembles a small purple artichoke. Cut the fruit open and you’ll find white flesh with a custardlike flavor. Growing sugar apple from seed will produce fruit within two to three years.

Sugar apple seeds may take 30 days or longer to germinate. Speeding up the process is possible, but it cuts down on the percentage of seeds that will germinate. If you choose to accelerate the germination process, treat the seeds before planting by either soaking them in room-temperature water for three days or by scarifying them.

Although there are several ways to accomplish scarification – breaking or weakening the seed coat – the easiest and safest ways include using baby nail clippers to snip a tiny opening in the seed coat or rubbing the seed between two pieces of sandpaper.

The sugar apple has a deep taproot and you'll need a deep container meant for trees to accommodate it. Plant the sugar apple seeds 3/4-inch deep into the moist planting mix. Place the container in a shaded area where the temperature remains above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the soil evenly moist during germination, but be careful not to overwater it or the seeds will rot.