Sapodilla, Seedling (Manilkara zapota)
Sweet, Caramel-Flavored Tropical Fruit Tree
Common Names: Sapodilla, Chico, Naseberry, Nispero, Chicle
Family: Sapotaceae
Origin: Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean
Sapodilla (Manilkara zapota) is a tropical fruit tree that produces sweet, brown-skinned fruits with a flavor often compared to caramel or brown sugar. This seedling-grown variety of Sapodilla is perfect for home gardeners looking to grow their own tropical fruit. Sapodilla trees are known for their dense, evergreen foliage and resilience, thriving in warm climates. The fruit is highly prized for its sweet, grainy flesh and is often eaten fresh or used in smoothies and desserts. In addition to its delicious fruit, the tree has a long history of use in the production of chicle, the natural gum once used in chewing gum.
Sapodilla is primarily enjoyed fresh due to its natural sweetness. The fruit is commonly eaten on its own or added to smoothies, ice creams, and other desserts. Its rich, caramel-like flavor also makes it a popular ingredient in fruit salads. The tree itself is a beautiful ornamental plant, with its dense foliage and sturdy structure adding year-round greenery to tropical landscapes.
Distinctive Features, Uses, and Nutritional Value
Fruits: Sapodilla produces small to medium, round or oval fruits with a rough brown skin. The flesh inside is sweet, juicy, and slightly grainy, with a flavor reminiscent of caramel or pear. Each fruit contains several smooth, black seeds. Sapodilla is rich in fiber, vitamin C, and other essential nutrients, making it a healthy, energy-boosting fruit.
Foliage: The tree features glossy, dark green, elliptical leaves that remain evergreen year-round, providing a lush, tropical look to any garden.
Growth Habit: Sapodilla is a slow-growing, evergreen tree that can reach heights of 30-50 feet in its native habitat, though it can be pruned to maintain a more compact size in home gardens.
Seedling Sapodillas can fruit within 3-5 years! Seedlings can easily be grafted on to with the scion of your choice. Fruit trees grown from seed even tend to develop a deeper, more extensive root system, which may make them more resilient and longer-lived compared to grafted trees.
Plant Type:
Tropical / Subtropical Evergreen Fruit Tree
Harvest Season:
Fall, Spring, Winter
Mature Size:
On average, Sapodilla trees will reach mature heights and equal canopy widths of anywhere from 15-50 feet, depending on growing conditions. Sapodilla trees will produce fruit in containers.
Soil & Moisture:
Sapodilla fruit trees are really adaptable in terms of soil conditions and will thrive in many types of soil, from poor loose sandy soil to deep, rich organic soil, as well as light clay, or gravel. Regardless of soil type, fostering good drainage is for your Sapodilla tree is essential. Sapodilla's don't like wet feet! Increase watering during flowering and fruiting season.
Light Requirements:
Full Sun, Part Shade
Self-Fertile:
Yes
Growth Rate:
Medium
Zone Hardiness:
Outdoors 9-11 (frost protection until established); Patio/Greenhouse 4+
Sapodilla's prefer warm locales but are also slightly frost tolerant, highly wind tolerant and can take salt spray. Frost protection is necessary when young, but established Sapodilla trees may be cold tolerant down to 28 degrees.
Propagation:
Our Sapodilla fruit tree varieties are mainly grown from graft, but may also sometimes be air-layered.
Large Pot Size: Established with more healthy growth and capable to produce within 2 or 3 years.
X-Large Pot Size: Most established, mature plant with full foliage, closest to fruiting size and capable to produce within 1 or 2 years.
See More:
Sow Exotic has several types and sizes of Sapodilla fruit trees. Shop All Sapodilla Varieties.
Sapodilla is known by many names around the world including Mispel, Zapote, Dilly, Chico, Chico sapote, Zapote chico, Zapotillo, Chicle, Sapodilla plum, and Naseberry, among countless others.
Wondering about your USDA Growing Zone and what you can grow? 🌎🌿 Learn how to find your Zone and grow tropical plants anywhere—Florida to Alaska! 👉 Read the full blog here!
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