Ross Sapote (Pouteria)
VERY RARE! Ross Sapote is an evergreen tropical/subtropical fruit tree native to Central America. It's fruit is large and round. It has a soft, smooth, creamy pumpkin pudding like texture and a sweet, delicious caramel aroma and flavor. Fruit is typically harvested in the fall but may have more than one season per year. Ross Sapote is a gorgeous, fast growing fruit tree that prefers well drained soil and good amounts of sunlight. In the wild it can generally be found in wetland forests in areas of low elevation.
Ross Sapote was introduced to Florida by the legendary rare fruit collector, Bill Whitman. It's closely related to another of Sow Exotic's favorite Pouteria's, the Canistel. For those who are on the fence about the flavor of Canistel, you will quickly fall in love with delicious Ross Sapote fruit. (That's not an easy claim for us to make because we love Canistel!) Unlike Canistel, the texture of Ross Sapote fruit is consistently creamy throughout and it's not dry or chalky at all.
Plant Type:
Tropical/Subtropical Evergreen Fruit Tree
Harvest Season:
Fall, Winter, Spring, (potentially) Year-round
Mature Size:
15-30 ft.
Soil & Moisture:
Well-draining, sandy, soil rich in organic matter. Likes consistent watering especially during flower.
Light Requirements:
Full Sun (highest production), Part Shade
Self-Fertile:
Yes
Growth Rate:
Medium
Zone Hardiness:
Outdoors 9-11 with frost protection; Patio/Greenhouse 4+
If taking on the task of growing this tropical fruit tree in colder climates, can be dwarfed with the right amount of commitment and can be overwintered indoors. During the coldest winter in the last ten years, the Pouteria's planted in our food forest survived severe damage at 24 degrees, growing back from the base and are back to fruiting!
Propagation:
Large Pot Size: Grafted and capable to produce within 2-3 years.
X-Large Pot Size: Grafted and capable to produce within 1-2 years.
See More:
Shop all of our Pouteria varieties.
