Light: Morning sun with filtered afternoon shade in Phoenix, especially for young trees. Acclimate gradually to stronger sun; avoid reflected heat from west-facing walls and pavement.
Water: Water deeply and regularly during hot weather, allowing the upper few inches of soil to dry slightly between waterings. Reduce watering in winter without letting the root zone dry completely. Avoid standing water and frequent shallow irrigation.
Soil: Well-drained soil, preferably slightly acidic to neutral. Phoenix’s alkaline soils may cause nutrient deficiencies. Plant on a broad mound where drainage is poor, and mulch the root zone while keeping mulch away from the trunk.
Mature size: Typically 15–25 feet tall and 10–20 feet wide in favorable conditions; can grow larger unpruned. Often maintained at 8–12 feet with pruning or kept smaller in a large container.
Bloom: Typically late winter through spring; timing and fruit set vary with temperatures. Cold spells may damage flowers and developing fruit.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.
Growth rate: Moderate during warm weather; slower in containers or under Phoenix heat, cold, or alkaline-soil stress.