Light: Morning sun with afternoon shade; avoid reflected heat from walls and pavement. Summer shade cloth can help protect foliage and fruit.
Water: Keep the root zone consistently moist but never waterlogged. Use drip irrigation and check soil frequently during hot weather; containers may need daily watering in summer.
Soil: Well-drained, organically rich, slightly acidic soil, ideally pH 5.5–6.5. Phoenix’s alkaline soil often makes an amended raised bed or large container with suitable potting mix preferable.
Mature size: Approximately 4–6 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide when managed; underground shoots can spread beyond the original planting.
Bloom: Small flowers generally appear in spring, with possible later flowering and fruiting when conditions are favorable. Extreme heat can reduce fruit set and quality.
Evergreen / deciduous: Deciduous; may retain some leaves during mild winters.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast with adequate moisture and favorable temperatures; growth may stall during extreme summer heat.