How to grow White Sapote
Updated October 2026
White sapote (Casimiroa edulis) is a subtropical evergreen tree from the highlands of Mexico and Central America, in the citrus family, with green to golden fruit and sweet, creamy, custard-like flesh. It is hardier than most tropical fruit: mature trees have survived about 20°F in California. It does best in coastal Southern California and also grows in South Florida and Hawaii's cooler uplands. Do not eat the seeds.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow White Sapote in the US
Not to be confused with: White sapote is not related to sapodilla, mamey sapote or black sapote, which are different trees that share the name sapote.
Where to plant
White sapote is subtropical rather than tropical, native to mid-elevations in Mexico and Central America. In California, light frosts cause some leaf drop but otherwise do not harm the tree, and mature trees have survived drops to about 20°F; in Florida, mature trees have taken about 26°F without injury. Young trees are more tender.
It grows on most soils as long as drainage is good, from sandy loam to clay. It is fairly drought resistant once established. On Florida's alkaline limestone soils it can become chlorotic (yellow leaves).
- Southern California: one of the best places to grow it, especially near the coast. Plant in spring or October and give it plenty of room.
- Northern California: worth trying in frost-protected spots; plant in spring and cover young trees on frost nights.
- South and Central Florida: grows and fruits; plant in spring. North Florida and the Gulf South are marginal; plant after the last frost and cover young trees on freeze nights.
- Hawaii: does best at cooler, higher elevations.
- Texas, the Desert Southwest and colder regions: not suited outdoors.
Choosing a variety
Buy a grafted, named variety rather than a seedling. Seedlings take 7 or 8 years to bear and many give fruit of poor size or quality, while grafted trees start bearing in 3 or 4 years. Many varieties have been named in California and Florida, such as Suebelle, Pike, Lenz and Dade, which differ in season and flavor; ask a local specialty nursery which suit your area.
How to plant
- Choose a sunny spot with good drainage and room for a large tree.
- Plant the grafted tree at the depth it grew in its pot.
- In California, growers cut young trees back to about 3 feet at planting to encourage low branching.
- Water in thoroughly and mulch, keeping mulch off the trunk.
Watering and feeding
Water young trees regularly until established. Mature trees are fairly drought resistant but fruit better with deep watering in long dry spells.
Feed as you would citrus, adjusting to your soil; in alkaline soils, minor-element sprays can correct yellowing leaves.
Pruning and care through the year
- Prune young trees to encourage low, spreading branches that keep fruit within reach.
- Some trees set heavy crops and drop many immature fruit; poor pollen or a lack of cross-pollination may contribute, so a second variety nearby can help.
- Heavy crops can be thinned to improve fruit size and reduce branch breakage.
Harvesting
Clip fruit from the branch with a short piece of stem attached. Fruit pulled by hand soon develops a soft, bruised spot at the stem end that spreads and rots. Handle fruit very gently even when firm, as bruised skin blackens and the flesh beneath turns bitter.
Fruit can be picked mature but still firm, a few days to several weeks before it would fall, and ripened on the counter until it yields to gentle pressure, then refrigerated for a few days.
Using it
Halve the soft fruit and scoop out the creamy flesh with a spoon, or blend it into smoothies, ice cream and sorbet. The thin skin is bitter and not eaten. Never eat the seeds, which are reported to be toxic raw.
Pests and diseases
White sapote has few natural enemies, though fruit flies attack the fruit of some varieties, and scale can appear on stressed trees.
Pests to watch for
- Caribbean fruit fly Maggots in ripening fruit in Florida; pick mature fruit firm and ripen indoors.
- Scale insects Small bumps on twigs and leaves, often with sooty mold.
White Sapote is rarely troubled by disease.
Common questions
How cold can a white sapote take?
Mature trees have survived about 20°F in California and 26°F in Florida without injury, though light frosts may cause some leaf drop. Young trees are more tender and should be protected.
How long until a white sapote bears fruit?
Grafted trees usually begin bearing in 3 or 4 years. Seedlings take 7 or 8 years and often give inferior fruit.
How do I pick white sapote without it bruising?
Clip each fruit with a short piece of stem rather than pulling it, and handle it gently. Bruised skin blackens and the flesh turns bitter.
Are white sapote seeds poisonous?
Yes, the seeds are reported to be toxic if eaten raw. Eat only the flesh.
Where does white sapote grow best in the US?
Coastal Southern California is one of the best places. It also grows in South and Central Florida and at cooler elevations in Hawaii.
Sources we checked: Purdue University NewCROP (Morton, Fruits of Warm Climates): White sapote.
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