Sapodilla, Seedling (Manilkara zapota)

5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
1 Review
Regular price $24.95 Sale price $20.95
/
Shipping calculated at checkout.
14 in stock

Size

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.

Sapoilla is a close relative of Mamey SapoteStar Apple, and Canistel
Did you know all of our plants come in plantable coconut coir pots or recyclable nursery pots? 🌱 Our eco-friendly coir pots make planting a breeze—just pop them straight into the ground or a bigger pot! And our recyclable nursery pots are perfect for reusing in your garden or recycling responsibly. Want to learn more about our plant sizes, pot materials, and how to grow them?
👉 
Checkout the Full Guide Here

Curious about your USDA Growing Zone and what you can grow? 🌎🌿 Whether you’re gardening in sunny Florida or snowy Alaska, our latest blog breaks down how to find your Zone, what it really means, and why it shouldn’t limit your plant dreams! Learn how to grow tropical and subtropical plants anywhere with tips for container gardening, greenhouses, and more. 👉 Read the full blog here!

Naturally grown, sustainably delivered!

Quick Links:

Commitment to Packaging and Shipping Sustainability

How We Grow!

New Plant Care Guide

Important Shipping Information:

Sow Exotic ships nationwide year-round to the United States.  We use plant-based, plastic-free, reusable, recyclable, biodegradable, AND compostable packaging materials. All of our plants ship ready-to-grow in plantable pots (with the exception of citrus) and range in size.  See the size guide on each plant page to learn more about what to expect upon arrival.

Shipping & Handing Cost
Shipping cost is calculated at checkout based on your order weight and your distance from the nursery. Shipping is combined for multiple orders with plants, so the more you grow, the more you save!  

Order Processing & Shipping Schedule
Live plant orders are processed at the beginning of each week and ship on Monday-Thursday via 1-3 Day USPS Priority Mail. Order processing time before shipment changes seasonally and averages from same day shipping to up to 14 days depending on season. (Spring is busiest!). Expected delivery date and lead time is shown at checkout.

Tracking Your Order
As soon as you place your order, you will receive order confirmation and a link to your Order Status Page.  You can view and track your orders progress online any time via your Order Status Page!

When your order ships, we'll send you a shipping confirmation and tracking info to let you know it's on it's way! We'll also send you delivery confirmation as soon as your order has been dropped off!

You can sign up for additional order status/tracking alerts on your Order Status Page.

Heat Packs & Weather Holds:

Heat Packs
Shipping tropical plants to a cold climate in the middle of winter? We sell Heat Packs! If it's under 32 degrees in your area, we definitely recommend ordering a Heat Pack! Visit our Heat Packs page to learn more and purchase your heat pack. 

Weather Holds
Waiting for the perfect time to plant? You can order now and request a custom weather hold until your preferred arrival date.  Please email care@sowexotic.com to request a custom hold. 

Local Pickup at the Nursery:

Available for all plants!

Shipping to Hawaii & Puerto Rico & Minor Outlying Islands:

We ship to Puerto Rico! Due to USDA restrictions, here's the list of a plants that we don't ship. 

Plants that DO NOT ship to Puerto Rico: Coffee, Palm, Banana  

Plants that DO NOT ship to Hawaii: Pineapple, Palm, Papaya, Coffee, Banana, Passion Fruit

For more frequently asked questions visit our Help Center.

5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
Based on 1 review
Total 5 star reviews: 1 Total 4 star reviews: 0 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
100%would recommend this product
1 review
  • MP
    Mel P.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Years Gardening 10+
    Grown This Variety Before? No
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    12 hours ago
    Sapodilla tree

    Received in good condition in a timely manner. I know it will be years for this small of a tree to fruit to get big enough to fruit, but I look forward to the day I can taste it's fruit.

    SE Profile picture for Sow Exotic Nursery
    Sow Exotic Nursery
    12 seconds ago

    Thank you for your review, Mel! We’re excited for you to watch your tree grow and can’t wait for you to enjoy its fruit in the future!

Reviews LoadedReviews Added

Plants Shipped
in Plantable Pots

Learn More about sizes & biodegradable materials