Does it need full sun?

Yes, it thrives in full sun for best fruit production.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, it works well in large containers if kept pruned.

Plant guide

Starfruit.

Averrhoa carambola

Pronounced uh-VER-oh-uh kar-am-BOH-luh

Also known as Carambola, Starfruit, blimbing, caramba, five-corner

Starfruit is a beautiful tropical tree that produces unique, star shaped yellow fruit. It loves warm, humid spots and makes a lovely addition to a sunny garden. You will enjoy its pretty pink flowers and glossy green leaves.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Tropical fruit tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 20 to 30 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Intermittent throughout the year

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root rot. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal a need for more iron or better drainage. Protect the tree from cold drafts and freezing temperatures at all costs.

Watering: Water deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Prune lightly once a year to maintain shape and encourage better fruit production.
Repotting: Repot only when the tree becomes root bound in its container.
Soil: Well draining loamy soil
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
Temperature: 15 to 35°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 20 to 40 years
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: The fruit is generally safe for healthy individuals, but the leaves and fruit contain oxalates that can be harmful in large quantities.
Pets: Starfruit is toxic to cats, dogs and horses. Its soluble calcium oxalates can cause low blood calcium and kidney failure, so keep the fruit away from pets.
Children: The fruit is safe, but ensure small children do not ingest large amounts of the seeds.
Contact allergens: None notable.
Airborne allergens: None notable.
Edibility: Individuals with kidney disease should avoid eating starfruit due to high levels of oxalic acid and a specific neurotoxin.

How to identify it

Distinctive five pointed star shaped fruit
Glossy pinnate green leaves
Small clusters of pinkish flowers
Oval shaped edible yellow fruit

Height: 3 to 9m
Spread: 2 to 6m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: pink, lavender, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: yellow, orange, Year round in tropical climates

Problems to watch for

Fruit FlyCommon
Root RotCommon
AnthracnoseUncommon
ChlorosisUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon
Sooty MoldUncommon
Spider MitesUncommon
Leaf SpotRare

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your starfruit from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: seed, grafting, cuttings
When to plant: Spring, Summer
Overwintering: Move containers indoors or provide frost protection if temperatures drop near freezing, as the tree is very sensitive to cold.
In containers: It grows well in containers if you use a pot at least 50 liters in size and provide excellent drainage.

Seed

1. Extract fresh seeds from ripe fruit.
2. Clean seeds of pulp.
3. Plant in moist, well draining soil.
4. Keep warm and humid until germination.

Plant low growing tropical herbs underneath to help retain soil moisture.

Grows well with

Banana · They share similar tropical moisture and nutrient needs.
Ginger · It grows well in the partial shade provided by the starfruit canopy.

Similar species

Bilimbi · It is a close relative with similar growth habits and requirements.

Science

Family: Oxalidaceae
Genus: Averrhoa
Order: Oxalidales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southeast Asia
Conservation: Not of conservation concern.

It thrives in humid, tropical environments with consistent warmth.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees
Uses: culinary fruit, ornamental tree, juice production

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

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

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: Yes, it thrives in full sun for best fruit production.
Can I grow it in a pot?: Yes, it works well in large containers if kept pruned.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Averrhoa honors the 12th century Moorish philosopher Averroes, while carambola is derived from the Portuguese word for the fruit.

Good to know

Starfruit is native to Southeast Asia.
The fruit is a good source of vitamin C.
The tree can produce fruit twice or more per year.
It is a member of the Oxalidaceae family.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Keep your starfruit growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

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.