Do I need two trees for fruit?

While they are self fertile, cross pollination between two different trees often results in higher yields.

How do I know when to pick it?

Harvest when the skin turns from dark green to a lighter, pale green hue and the fruit yields slightly to pressure.

Plant guide

Cherimoya.

Annona cherimola

Pronounced uh-NO-nuh cheh-ri-MO-luh

Also known as Cherimoya, cherimoyer, custard apple, custard-apple

The cherimoya is a lovely subtropical fruit tree known for its delicious, custard like flavor. It thrives in cool, frost free climates and produces heart shaped green fruits. You will find it makes a rewarding addition to a sunny garden or large container.

Another photo of Cherimoya — Photo by zebedeugalinha (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Fruit tree
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 20 to 30 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late spring to summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root issues. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal overwatering or poor drainage. Protect the tree from harsh afternoon sun and freezing temperatures to keep it happy.

Watering: Water deeply when the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Prune in late winter to maintain shape and encourage better fruit production.
Repotting: Repot when the roots begin to circle the bottom of the container.
Soil: Well draining loamy soil
Soil pH: 6.5 to 7.5
Temperature: 0 to 35°C
Humidity: 50 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 20 to 30 years.
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface for too long.
Stunted growth despite regular feeding.

Safety

People: The seeds and leaves contain annonacin, which is toxic if ingested.
Pets: The seeds and leaves contain annonacin, which is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep small children away from the seeds as they are hard and pose a choking hazard, plus they contain toxins.
Contact allergens: Handling the leaves or sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: Pollen can trigger mild allergic reactions in sensitive people during the flowering season.
Edibility: The seeds contain toxic alkaloids and should never be consumed.

How to identify it

Heart shaped green fruit
Velvety textured skin
Oval shaped dark green leaves
Fragrant greenish yellow flowers

Height: 3 to 9m
Spread: 3 to 6m
Leaves: green, semi-evergreen
Flowers: green, yellow, 2 to 3cm
Fruit: green, Autumn to winter

Problems to watch for

MealybugsCommon
Root RotCommon
AnthracnoseUncommon
ChlorosisUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon
Sooty MoldUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, grafting
When to plant: Spring
Overwintering: Protect from frost by covering with horticultural fleece or moving containers indoors to a bright, cool location.
In containers: It can be grown in large containers, but it will require a pot of at least 50 liters to thrive.

Seed

1. Clean the seeds thoroughly to remove pulp.
2. Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours.
3. Plant in well draining soil mix.
4. Keep warm and moist until germination occurs.

Grafting

1. Select a healthy rootstock.
2. Use a whip or cleft graft technique.
3. Secure the graft union with grafting tape.
4. Monitor for successful union and new growth.

Planting low growing nitrogen fixing ground covers can help maintain soil fertility around the base of the tree.

Grows well with

Coffee · They share similar light and moisture requirements in subtropical settings.
Passion fruit · This vine can grow alongside the tree without competing for root space.

Similar species

Sugar apple · It is a closely related species that thrives in warmer, more tropical conditions.
Guanabana · Another member of the same family with similar growth habits and fruit characteristics.

Science

Family: Annonaceae
Genus: Annona
Order: Magnoliales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Andes mountains of Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia.
Conservation: Not currently of conservation concern.

It thrives in high altitude tropical climates where it benefits from cool nights and moderate daytime temperatures.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: beetles
Uses: culinary fruit, ornamental tree

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Do I need two trees for fruit?: While they are self fertile, cross pollination between two different trees often results in higher yields.
How do I know when to pick it?: Harvest when the skin turns from dark green to a lighter, pale green hue and the fruit yields slightly to pressure.

Where the name comes from

The name Annona is derived from the Latin word for yearly produce, while cherimola comes from the indigenous Quechua term for the fruit.

Good to know

The cherimoya was famously called the most delicious fruit known to man by Mark Twain.
These trees require hand pollination in many areas due to a lack of natural beetle pollinators.
The fruit skin is thin and delicate, making it difficult to transport long distances.
Cherimoya trees can produce fruit within 3 to 5 years when grown from grafts.
The name comes from the Quechua word chirimuya, meaning cold seeds.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.