Light: Morning sun with afternoon shade in Phoenix, especially while young. Established trees tolerate more sun when gradually acclimated; provide ample light for flowering and fruiting.
Water: Deep, regular irrigation during hot weather and fruit development; allow the upper few inches of soil to dry between waterings. Reduce watering in winter without letting the root ball dry completely. Avoid standing water.
Soil: Well-drained soil, preferably slightly acidic to neutral. Phoenix’s alkaline soils and irrigation water can cause nutrient deficiencies and salt buildup. Mulch the root zone, keeping mulch away from the trunk.
Mature size: Approximately 30–50 feet tall and 20–35 feet wide if unpruned in favorable conditions; usually smaller in Phoenix. Can be maintained around 10–15 feet tall with regular pruning.
Bloom: Usually late winter through spring, depending on temperatures. Flowers and young fruit are vulnerable to frost; fruit generally ripens in late summer, with timing variable in Phoenix.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.
Growth rate: Moderate in warm weather with adequate irrigation and nutrition; slower during cool weather or under desert stress.