Canistel 'Bruce' (Pouteria campechiana)
Sweet Eggfruit Flavor in a Cold-Tolerant, High-Yielding Tree
Bruce Canistel (Pouteria campechiana 'Bruce') is a top-performing cultivar of the tropical eggfruit, prized for its rich, custardy texture and sweet flavor that tastes like pumpkin pie meets sweet potato. The Bruce variety is especially notable for its compact form, cold tolerance, and reliable fruit set in subtropical climates, making it a favorite among growers in Florida and beyond.
The fruit has a golden-yellow skin and deep orange flesh that’s dry, dense, and loaded with nutrition—often eaten fresh with a spoon, added to smoothies, or blended into vegan custards, pies, and ice cream. The tree is evergreen, fast-growing, and easy to maintain once established, thriving in full sun, well-drained soil, and warm, frost-free areas.
With its unique texture, tropical flavor, and seasonal beauty, Bruce Canistel is a must-have for rare fruit lovers, food forest builders, and anyone looking to grow something truly special.
Why You'll Love It:
- Produces sweet, dense fruit with egg custard texture
- Cold-tolerant and compact compared to other canistel varieties
- Perfect for smoothies, pies, and dairy-free desserts
- Evergreen and fast-growing in tropical/subtropical climates
- A rare fruit tree with high nutritional value and standout flavor
| Scientific Name | Pouteria campechiana 'Bruce' |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Bruce Canistel, Eggfruit, Yellow Sapote |
| Family | Sapotaceae (Sapote Family) |
| Origin | Tropical Americas; cultivar selected in Florida |
| Plant Type | Fruiting Tree |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Food Forest Layer | Mid-Story / Canopy Layer |
| Mature Size | 15–25 ft tall (can be pruned smaller) |
| Light | Full Sun |
| Water Needs | Moderate |
| Harvest Season | Winter to Spring |
| Time to Fruit | 0-2 years. Grafted! |
| Self-Fertile | Yes |
| Growth Rate | Moderate to Fast |
| Zones | USDA Zones 9B–11 |
| Florida Native | No |
| Propagation | Grafted, capable of fruiting now! |
| Seasonal Characteristics | Evergreen; fruits ripen when few others do |
Plant Type:
Tropical/Subtropical Evergreen Fruit Tree
Harvest Season:
Winter, Spring, Year-round
Typically December - March (sub-tropics) but varies slightly based on variety. Some cultivars even fruit year-round! Canistel fruit should be harvested when it turns yellow-orange. Allowing fruit 3 to 10 days to ripen at room temperature (76–82°F; 24–28°C). Ripe fruit is soft but not mushy.
Mature Size:
15-30 ft.
Will grow well in a container as long as you provide enough space for root growth. .
Soil & Moisture:
Well-draining, sandy, soil rich in organic matter. Likes consistent watering especially during flower and fruiting but is completely intolerant of flooding.
Light Requirements:
Full Sun (highest production), Part Shade
Self-Fertile:
Yes
Growth Rate:
Fast, 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 Canistel'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 of producing fruit within 2-3 years.
X-Large Pot Size: Grafted and capable of producing fruit within 1-2 years.
See More:Shop all of our Canistel varieties.
Shop all of our Pouteria varieties.
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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