Light: Full sun for best fruiting; gentle afternoon shade can reduce heat stress in Phoenix. Avoid reflected heat from west-facing walls or pavement.
Water: Deep, regular irrigation during the growing season, especially during fruit development and extreme heat. Allow the upper few inches of soil to dry slightly between waterings; avoid prolonged drought or waterlogged roots. Reduce watering during winter dormancy.
Soil: Well-drained loam preferred; tolerates other soil textures with suitable drainage and rootstock. Phoenix’s alkaline soils may cause nutrient deficiencies. Mulch the root zone, keeping mulch several inches away from the trunk.
Mature size: Typically 15–20 feet tall and wide if unpruned, depending on rootstock; can be maintained around 8–12 feet with regular pruning.
Bloom: Late winter to early spring, usually February–March in Phoenix, depending on weather and accumulated winter chill. Early flowers can be damaged by late frost.
Evergreen / deciduous: Deciduous.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast with adequate irrigation and nutrition.