How do I know when the fruit is ripe?

The skin turns from a shiny green to a dull, olive green, and the fruit becomes very soft to the touch.

Does it need full sun?

Yes, it produces the best fruit when grown in full sun.

Guide botanique

Black sapote.

Diospyros nigra

Prononciation dy-OS-pi-ros NY-gra

The black sapote is a tropical fruit tree known for its unique, custard like flesh that tastes remarkably like chocolate. It is a member of the ebony family and thrives in warm, humid climates. You will love how its glossy, dark green foliage adds a lush look to your garden.

Une autre photo de Black sapote — Photo de Oscar Alejandro Morales Juárez (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien: Moyenne
Type de plante: Tropical fruit tree
Lumière: Full sun
Lumière en intérieur: Soleil direct
Arrosage: Tous les 3 à 7 jours
Taille adulte: 25 to 50 feet
Croissance: Moyenne
Rusticité: USDA 10 à 12
Floraison: Late spring to early summer

Entretien

Keep the soil consistently moist but ensure it drains well to prevent root issues. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the tree needs more nutrients or better drainage. Protect the plant from frost, as it is quite sensitive to cold temperatures.

Arrosage: Water deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Engrais: Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season to support fruit production.
Taille: Prune lightly once a year to maintain shape and encourage better airflow through the canopy.
Rempotage: Move to a larger container only when the roots begin to circle the bottom of the pot.
Sol: Rich, loamy, well draining soil
pH du sol: 6.0 to 7.0
Température: 5 à 35°C
Humidité: 60 à 90%
Résistance à la sécheresse: Moyenne
Durée de vie: Perennial, typically 30 to 50 years
Parfum: Léger
Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins: Moyenne

Signes qu'il faut rempoter

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in

Sécurité

Humains: The plant is generally non-toxic, but the unripe fruit is astringent and can irritate the mouth.
Enfants: The large seeds pose a choking hazard to small children if ingested.
Allergènes de contact: The sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Allergènes aéroportés: Pollen may cause mild seasonal allergies for some people.
Comestibilité: The fruit is only safe to eat when fully ripe and soft, as unripe fruit contains high levels of tannins that can cause digestive distress.

Comment l'identifier

Glossy, dark green evergreen leaves
Small, white, bell shaped flowers
Round, olive green fruit skin
Dark brown to black edible pulp

Hauteur: 6 à 15m
Envergure: 4 à 10m
Feuilles: dark green, glossy, evergreen
Fleurs: white, cream, 1 à 2cm
Fruits: green, black, Autumn to winter

Problèmes courants

Mealybugs — Small sap-sucking insects that cluster on stems and leaf undersides.
Leaf spot — Fungal infection causing dark spots on foliage during humid periods.

La cultiver

Multiplication: seed, grafting
Quand planter: spring, early summer
Hivernage: Keep the plant in a frost-free environment if temperatures drop below freezing. Reduce watering during the cooler months.
En pot: It can be grown in a large container when young, but eventually requires a very large pot or planting in the ground.

Seed

1. Clean the seeds thoroughly to remove all pulp.
2. Plant seeds in a well-draining potting mix.
3. Keep the soil consistently moist and warm.
4. Transplant seedlings once they have two sets of true leaves.

Plant in a sheltered area protected from strong winds to prevent branch breakage.

Bonnes associations

Caféier — They share similar tropical requirements and can be grown together in shaded orchard settings.
Papaya — These plants occupy different vertical layers in a food forest.

Espèces similaires

Japanese Persimmon — A related species grown for its orange, sweet fruit.

Science

Famille: Ebenaceae
Genre: Diospyros
Ordre: Ericales
Classe: Magnoliopsida
Région d'origine: Mexico and Central America.
Préservation: Not currently considered threatened in its native range.

It thrives in tropical lowland forests where it benefits from consistent moisture and warm temperatures.

Intérêt pour la faune: nectar source, provides shelter for birds
Pollinisateurs: abeilles, coléoptères
Utilisations: ornamental shade tree, culinary fruit, pudding ingredient

Au fil des saisons

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Floraison

Fructification

Feuillage

Repères écologiques

Salinité: 2/9
Réaction du sol: 6/9
Lumière: 8/9
Température: 9/9
Humidité: 6/9
Nutriments: 6/9

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

How do I know when the fruit is ripe?: The skin turns from a shiny green to a dull, olive green, and the fruit becomes very soft to the touch.
Does it need full sun?: Yes, it produces the best fruit when grown in full sun.

D'où vient le nom

Diospyros comes from Greek words meaning divine fruit, while nigra refers to the dark color of the ripe fruit pulp.

Bon à savoir

The fruit is commonly known as black sapote or chocolate pudding fruit.
It belongs to the same genus as the common persimmon.
The wood is extremely dense and related to ebony.
It can produce hundreds of fruits on a single mature tree.

Ta plante a mauvaise mine ?

Cette page est un guide général. Pocket Botanist diagnostique les problèmes directement à partir d'une photo de ta plante, adapte l'arrosage à sa luminosité et te prévient quand il faut t'en occuper.

Télécharger l'appli

Ce guide a été généré par IA et vérifié avec la taxonomie du GBIF. Il s'agit d'informations générales, et non de conseils horticoles ou vétérinaires. Découvre comment nous concevons ces guides.