Species star apple
red-green fruits with orange-brown leaves on orange-brown twigs and branches

star apple

Chrysophyllum cainito

Star Apple (Chrysophyllum cainito) is a spectacular tropical tree with a unique, edible fruit. These striking apples are a deep purple, nearly black color with star-shaped sectioned pulp. Star apples are native to Central America, the Caribbean, and parts of South America. Their sweet, juicy flesh is high in Vitamin C and antioxidants. The leathery skin protects the pulp, allowing them to be transported and shipped easily without damage. They contain calcium, copper, and phosphorus and are a tasty snack or a great addition to smoothies, salads, and other dishes. Star apples are a remarkable species and a great addition to any garden!

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Hardiness Zone:

10 - 12

Flowers:

Creamy white, Flowers

Sun:

full sun

Fruits:

green,purple Fruits Ready In

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Moderate

Tropical:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Star apples should be watered once a week, making sure the soil is evenly moist, but not soggy. In hotter climates, or during prolonged periods of dry weather, you may need to step up the frequency and amount of water to ensure your star apple plant remains healthy. It’s a good idea to closely monitor the soil’s moisture level to decide when to water your plant – if the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, it’s a good time to give it a drink. It's also important to make sure the plant is not over-watered or under-watered, as this can lead to serious health and flowering issues and reduce the fruiting potential of your star apple.

sunlight

Starapple (Chrysophyllum cainito) prefers full sun to partial shade, with plenty of direct sunlight for 6 to 8 hours a day. It does best when grown in areas with high temperatures and humid climates so the more direct sunlight it receives, the better.

pruning

Star apples should be pruned in late winter or early spring just before the start of the new growth season. Pruning at this time will encourage your trees to produce thicker branches and a more continuous crop through the year. When pruning Star apples, remove any dead, cracked, or diseased branches first then selectively thin out the center of the tree to provide adequate airflow and light. Focus on removing water sprouts, crossing branches, and overly-long limbs. Do not prune more than 1-third of the total canopy at any 1 time.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Harvest Fruit

Harvest Fruit

Hardiness Map

⚠️ Perenual and its members cannot be held liable for any health issues that may arise from the information provided on the website or from using any of the plants found on the site. The information provided is intended to be used as general guidelines only.