Custard Apple, Red (Annona reticulata)
Large Pot Size (2-3ft tall/6" pot) Grafted, Shipped Completely Winter Dormant
Red Custard Apple (Annona reticulata), also known as Bull's Heart due to its heart-shaped appearance, is a distinctive tropical fruit tree renowned for its deliciously sweet and aromatic fruit. The tree itself is moderately sized, making it suitable for a range of garden spaces, and is characterized by its glossy, green leaves and fragrant, creamy-yellow flowers. The fruit's skin is uniquely reticulated, with a reddish-brown hue when ripe, and the flesh inside is creamy, white to light yellow, and filled with a pleasant, custard-like texture.
It is native to the West Indies, Central America, and South Mexico, and a cultivated crop from southern Mexico to Peru and Brazil. This variety thrives in warm, tropical to subtropical climates, requiring well-drained soil and regular watering to ensure healthy growth and bountiful fruit production. When fully mature, the fruit can be enjoyed fresh, used in desserts, or blended into smoothies and shakes for a refreshing treat.
For healthy growth of your Red Custard Apple tree, plant it in a sunny to partly shaded spot with well-draining soil. Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball but not deeper, to encourage root spread without deep burial. Water regularly, letting the soil dry slightly between waterings, and fertilize with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer during growth periods. Minimal pruning is needed; just remove dead or overlapping branches to improve air flow and shape. Proper care will ensure your tree thrives and bears fruit effectively.
Plant Type:
Tropical/Subtropical Evergreen or Semi-Deciduous Fruit Tree/Shrub
Harvest Season:
Late-Summer, Fall
Mature Size:
Up to 35 feet
Soil & Moisture:
Rich, well-drained soil with light acidity suit these warm-weather plants best. Provide regular moisture and humidity, but be careful not to over water. Annona's are intolerable to water-logging. Requires deep watering during growing/fruiting seasons and less during winter dormancy.
Light Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Shade
Overall, expect best fruit production with more sun
Self-Fertile:
Yes
Growth Rate:
Fast, Medium
Zone Hardiness:
Outdoors 9-11 (frost protection until established); Patio/Greenhouse 4+
Annona's (especially Soursop) may defoliate during the winter in subtropical regions (40 degrees or lower), but remain evergreen in their native deep tropical habitats. Sugar Apples are generally tolerant to 28 degrees, whereas some Annona's like Soursop will need more cold protection if growing outdoors in Zone 9.
Propagation:
Our Annonas are grown from seed and air-layering and are capable of fruiting within 2-5 years.
See More:
Annona (from Taíno annon) is a genus of flowering plants in the pawpaw/sugar apple family, Annonaceae. The generic name derives from anón, a Hispaniolan Taíno word for the fruit.
Our Annona varieties include Sugar Apples, Red Custard Apple, Soursop, Pond Apple, and Cherimoya fruit trees.
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