Custard Apple (Soursop/Sugar Apple)
Annona muricata / Annona squamosa • Annonaceae
🌱 Seed Category
Fruit / Tree
🌍 Origin Region
Tropical Americas and West Indies; widely cultivated in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.
📅 Days to Maturity
3-5 years from seed to first fruit production; harvest window is typically year-round in tropics depending on rainfall.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 10-11; highly sensitive to frost (cold sensitive below 5°C/41°F).
About This Seed
Dark brown to black, smooth, glossy, and ovoid seeds approximately 1-2cm in length. The resulting plant is a small to medium evergreen tree with glossy, deep green elliptical leaves and large green heart-shaped fruits with soft spines or bumpy skin.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Tropical perennial; can be started year-round in warm climates or indoors 8-12 weeks before last frost in temperate zones. Requires warmth (no frost).
Germination
Germination takes 15-30 days; requires warm soil (25-30°C). Seeds should be scarified or soaked in warm water for 24 hours prior to planting to soften the hard seed coat. High humidity is beneficial.
Planting Instructions
Plant 1 inch deep in well-draining sandy loam. Provide 15-20 feet spacing between trees. Soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0).
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun (at least 6-8 hours); regular watering to keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Moderate drought tolerance once established.
Companion Plants
Mango, Avocado, and Papaya. Avoid planting near aggressive root-spreading trees that may compete for shallow nutrients.
Special Characteristics
Produces edible fruit rich in vitamins; foliage has distinctive fragrance; bark and leaves are used in traditional medicine; attractive to tropical pollinators.