Plant Care: How to Grow 'Annona' Fruit Trees

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.

Plant Type
Tropical/Subtropical Evergreen or Semi-Deciduous Fruit Tree/Shrub

Harvest Season
Late-Summer to Fall
Prune seasonally to develop strong branches

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 to Medium

Zone Hardiness
Outdoors 9-11 with frost protection; 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.

See More
Our Annona's include Sugar Apples, Red Custard Apple, Soursop, Pond Apple, and Cherimoya fruit trees. Shop all of our Annona fruit tree types and varieties.