Light: Full sun to partial shade; in Phoenix, provide morning sun and afternoon shade, especially for young trees. Avoid reflected heat from walls and pavement.
Water: Water deeply and regularly during hot weather and fruit development, allowing the upper few inches of soil to dry slightly between irrigations. Reduce watering in winter; avoid prolonged saturation.
Soil: Well-drained soil enriched with compost; slightly acidic to neutral soil is preferred. Phoenix’s alkaline soils may cause micronutrient deficiencies. Mulch the root zone, keeping mulch away from the trunk.
Mature size: Typically 10–20 feet tall and 8–15 feet wide if unpruned; can be maintained around 6–10 feet with regular pruning.
Bloom: Typically blooms in spring and early summer; additional flowering flushes may occur during warm weather. Fruit generally ripens several months after flowering.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen in frost-free conditions; may drop leaves during cold weather or drought.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast with adequate warmth, water, and nutrition; slower during cool weather.