Light: Full sun, ideally at least 6–8 hours daily. Gentle late-afternoon shade can reduce heat stress in Phoenix; avoid reflected heat from west-facing walls.
Water: Regular, deep irrigation; not drought tolerant. Water across the root zone and allow the upper few inches of soil to dry slightly between irrigations. Increase frequency during extreme heat and fruit development; reduce after leaf drop.
Soil: Well-drained loam preferred; adaptable to sandy soils with appropriate irrigation. Avoid waterlogged sites. Apply organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it several inches away from the trunk.
Mature size: Approximately 12–20 feet tall and wide, depending on rootstock and conditions; can be maintained around 8–12 feet with regular pruning.
Bloom: Late winter to early spring, often February–March in Phoenix depending on weather. Fruit typically ripens in May to early June.
Evergreen / deciduous: Deciduous.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast with sufficient water and nutrition.