Light: Morning sun with afternoon shade; filtered sunlight is beneficial during Phoenix summers. Protect from reflected heat and hot, drying winds.
Water: Keep the root zone consistently moist but never waterlogged. Water deeply and frequently during extreme heat, adjusting to soil drainage; reduce watering in winter. Not drought tolerant.
Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil, preferably slightly acidic, around pH 5.5–6.5. Phoenix’s alkaline soils and saline irrigation water can cause nutrient deficiencies and leaf burn. Use an acidic container mix where soil conditions are unsuitable.
Mature size: Approximately 20–30 feet tall and 15–25 feet wide under favorable tropical conditions; usually smaller in Phoenix. Can be maintained around 8–12 feet tall with selective pruning.
Bloom: May flower in several flushes from spring through fall when warm and actively growing. Phoenix heat, low humidity, and cold can limit flowering and fruit set.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen in frost-free conditions; may shed leaves during cold, drought, or other stress.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast with warmth, adequate moisture, and suitable nutrition; slower under Phoenix heat, alkalinity, or cold stress.