Light: Full sun, preferably morning sun with protection from intense western afternoon exposure in Phoenix.
Water: Deep, regular irrigation during the growing season, especially during fruit development and extreme heat. Keep the root zone evenly moist but not saturated; reduce watering after leaf drop.
Soil: Deep, well-drained loam preferred. Tolerates other soil textures with good drainage, but Phoenix’s alkaline soils may cause iron deficiency. Mulch the root zone, keeping mulch away from the trunk.
Mature size: Typically 15–20 feet tall and wide; standard-rootstock trees may reach 20–30 feet. Dwarfing rootstock and pruning can maintain a smaller tree.
Bloom: White blossoms in late winter to early spring, depending on weather and accumulated winter chill. Commonly listed as needing approximately 400–500 chill hours, which many Phoenix locations do not reliably receive.
Evergreen / deciduous: Deciduous.
Growth rate: Moderate with adequate irrigation and suitable soil; affected by rootstock and heat stress.