Light: Full sun to light shade; in Phoenix, provide morning sun and afternoon shade, especially for young trees. Acclimate gradually to stronger sunlight.
Water: Water deeply when the upper few inches of soil begin to dry. Young trees need frequent monitoring during extreme heat; reduce watering substantially in winter. Avoid prolonged dryness during fruit development and consistently soggy soil.
Soil: Deep, well-drained soil, ideally slightly acidic. Phoenix alkaline soils may require micronutrient management. Plant on a broad raised mound where drainage is poor; mulch the root zone without covering the trunk.
Mature size: Approximately 15–25 feet tall and 12–20 feet wide if unpruned, potentially larger in favorable conditions. Can be maintained around 10–15 feet with regular pruning.
Bloom: Typically late winter to spring; flowering and fruit set vary with temperature and frost exposure. Fruit generally ripens in summer, depending on local conditions.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen; cold or severe stress can cause leaf loss.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast in warm, favorable conditions; slower with Phoenix heat stress, alkaline soil or winter cold.