The Custard Apple ( Annona squamosa ) is a small, evergreen tree that grows to around 3-5 metres. The species is native to tropical regions of the Americas. The fruit produced by the Custard Apple tree has a creamy white coloured segmented pulp, that is similar in texture and taste to custard with a sweet, tropical flavour.
Annona squamosa grows natively to Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Argentina, Chile, Columbia, and Panama. In traditional medicine many parts of the tree are used for various ailments such as wound care, to treat lice, diarrhoea, and urinary tract infections.
Some other common names for the Custard Apple are Sugar Apple, Chirimoyo, Atemoya and Sweetsops.
Check out our page for Annona muricata or Soursop here.
Growth
The Custard Apple does not do well in cool climates and will drop its leaves in temperatures that go below 10°C, freezing temperatures will kill the tree. The tree grows to an average of 3-6 metres tall and up to 6 metres wide. The leaves of this species are quite large at a mature size of around 18 cm’s long and 7 cm’s wide. Fruiting season is summer through to autumn and a mature tree can produce around 75 fruits which are approximately 10 cm’s long, 8 cm’s wide and bumpy, sort of like a large green blackberry.
As a tropical tree, it grows best in these conditions but can be grown in temperate regions if it is cared for properly, the plant will require protection from cold and frosts, possibly in a greenhouse or indoors where it will get plenty of sunlight. This species is one of the more wind tolerant of the Annonaceae family, as long as the winds are not cold, frosty ones.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Annonaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate (only if protected during winter), Sub Tropical, Tropical.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
10 to 38°C / 50 to 100°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining soil, sandy loam
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade
HEIGHT:
Up to 6 metres (20 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 6 metres (20 feet)
pH:
5.5-6.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen, Perennial, Fast Growing – Can be semi deciduous in cooler climates.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light – Medium
POLLINATION:
Ants or hand pollination – Bisexual, meaning each individual flower has both male and female parts.
MATURITY:
2-4 years
GERMINATION RATES:
86%
GERMINATION TIME:
3-4 weeks, dependent on conditions
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Reasonably Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
1
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes.
WEED POTENTIAL:
Classed as invasive in French Polynesia.
EDIBLE:
Yes
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 6 months.
FACTS ABOUT ANNONA SQUAMOSA (Custard Apple)
Sugar Apple seeds are toxic and should not be ingested.
Leaves, unripe fruits, extracts of its bark and the roots have all been used in traditional medicine.
The Custard Apple fruit can be used to make a juice, sherbet and is commercially used as an ice cream flavouring.
