Light: Full sun to partial shade; in Phoenix, morning sun with afternoon shade helps prevent leaf scorch and fruit sunburn, especially on young trees.
Water: Water deeply and regularly during warm weather, allowing the upper few inches of soil to dry between waterings. Reduce watering in winter; avoid standing water and prolonged drought during fruit development.
Soil: Well-drained soil enriched with compost; slightly acidic to neutral soil is preferred. Phoenix’s alkaline soils may cause iron deficiency. Mulch the root zone, keeping mulch away from the trunk.
Mature size: Typically 10–20 feet tall and 10–15 feet wide in favorable conditions; can be maintained at 6–10 feet with pruning.
Bloom: Typically blooms in spring and summer, sometimes in repeated flushes during warm weather. Fruit generally ripens several months after flowering.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen in frost-free conditions; may shed leaves during cold weather or drought.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast with adequate warmth, water, and nutrition.