Kei Apple (Dovyalis caffra)

5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
4 Reviews
Regular price $24.95
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Medium Coconut Coir Pot
Sow Exotic Nursery

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6405 Thornhill Road
Winter Haven FL 33880
United States

Spiny Tropical Hedge Tree with Tart, Vitamin-Rich Fruit

The Kei Apple (Dovyalis caffra) is a bold and resilient fruit tree native to southern Africa that produces small, golden-yellow fruits with a sharp, tangy flavor reminiscent of apricots and citrus. The fruit is high in vitamin C and antioxidants, and is most often used in jams, jellies, sauces, or dried as a tart, chewy snack. With its intense flavor and dense pulp, it’s a hidden gem for those who love sour, punchy fruits and wild-foraged flavors.

This spiny, evergreen shrub or small tree grows quickly into a dense, protective barrier, making it an excellent choice for hedges, windbreaks, and food forest borders. It thrives in full sun, tolerates drought, and is highly adaptable to poor or sandy soils. The tree also supports biodiversity by providing shelter and food for wildlife.

Kei Apple is dioecious, meaning you’ll need both a male and female plant to produce fruit—perfect for planting as a fruiting fence row or incorporating into edible hedgerows. With its tough, thorny branches, ornamental appeal, and nutrient-packed fruit, Kei Apple is as functional as it is flavorful.

Scientific Name Dovyalis caffra
Common Names Kei Apple, Wild Apricot, Umkokola
Family Salicaceae (Willow Family)
Origin Southern Africa (South Africa, Zimbabwe)
Plant Type Fruiting Shrub / Small Tree
Life Cycle Perennial
Food Forest Layer Shrub / Mid-Story Layer
Mature Size 6–15 ft tall (prune to shape)
Light Full Sun
Water Needs Low to Moderate; drought-tolerant
Harvest Season Summer to Fall
Time to Fruit 2–3 years from planting
Self-Fertile No (dioecious; requires male and female)
Growth Rate Moderate to Fast
Zones USDA Zones 9–11 with frost protection while young (can handle light frost and temperatures down to 24 degrees once established)
Florida Native No
Propagation Seeds, Cuttings
Seasonal Characteristics Evergreen; spiny branches, fragrant spring flowers

 

All of our plants ship in plantable coconut coir pots or recyclable nursery pots! Just pop them in the ground or reuse and recycle. Want to learn more about our plant sizes and how to grow them? 👉 Checkout the Full Guide Here

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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5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
Based on 4 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 4 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
4 reviews
  • MN
    Matt N.
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    2 years ago
    Great little trees

    I bought two, and plan to buy at least 4 more when in stock again. Gotta make sure i get males and females!

  • EB
    Edward B.
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    3 years ago
    Kei Apple

    I now have four Kei Apples in my collection all of them from Sow Exotic. They all arrived in great condition and look beautiful. Now the wait for them to fruit.

  • SP
    Selaris P.
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    3 years ago
    Can't wait to taste!

    Can't wait to taste!

  • SP
    Selaris P.
    Flag of United States
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    3 years ago
    Can’t wait to taste!

    Can’t wait to taste!

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