Light: Full sun for best fruiting; provide young trees with protection from intense reflected heat and Phoenix’s hottest afternoon sun.
Water: Water deeply, wetting soil 2–3 feet deep around established trees. Let the upper few inches dry before watering again; irrigate more frequently in summer and less in winter. Avoid persistently soggy soil.
Soil: Well-drained sandy loam or loam. Tolerates moderately alkaline soil, but Phoenix soils may cause micronutrient deficiencies. Keep the root flare above grade and mulch away from the trunk.
Mature size: Typically 10–15 feet tall and 8–12 feet wide; size varies substantially with rootstock and pruning. Dwarf-rootstock trees remain smaller.
Bloom: Fragrant blossoms in late winter to spring; fruit generally ripens in winter, often December–February, depending on local conditions.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.
Growth rate: Moderate with adequate water, nutrition, and warmth.