Light: Full sun, ideally 6–8 or more hours daily. Young trees benefit from temporary afternoon shade during extreme summer heat.
Water: Deep, regular irrigation; not drought tolerant. For established trees, wet soil 2–3 feet deep beneath and slightly beyond the canopy, then allow the upper few inches to dry. Water more frequently in summer and less in winter; keep water away from the trunk.
Soil: Well-drained sandy loam or loam. Tolerates Phoenix’s alkaline soil, but nutrient deficiencies may occur. Avoid waterlogged soil and keep the root flare above finished grade.
Mature size: Typically 15–20 feet tall and 12–20 feet wide on standard rootstock; dwarfing rootstocks often keep trees around 8–12 feet tall and wide.
Bloom: Primarily late winter through spring, usually February–April in Phoenix. Fruit generally ripens in winter through early spring.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.
Growth rate: Moderate.