How to Plant, Grow, and Care for an Atemoya Tree

A beautiful evergreen tropical tree, the atemoya tree produces luscious and unusual fruit. Lorin Nielsen will explain all you need to know to grow these fruitful trees in a tropical zone.

Atemoya tree with round fruit appearing bumpy dangling on a woody branch surrounded by countless deep green leaves

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Have you ever heard of an atemoya tree? This lovely tropical, a hybrid of the cherimoya and the sugar apple, is a beautiful evergreen perennial with unusual fruit. Developed in Florida, it’s now widespread internationally and is gaining in popularity. And you’ll still find native specimens in Florida today!

While often inaccurately referred to as the African pride, custard apple, it’s more commonly called pineapple sugar apple or mini soursop. Its fruits are delicious and have a hint of a tropical-infused vanilla flavor.

We have lots of information on this unique cherimoya hybrid and its unusual fruits. Read on to learn more about how to hand-raise your very own atemoya!

Plant Overview

A Annona squamosa x Annona Cherimola with a round fruit with hard and bumpy skin dangling from a woody stem with others in the background
Plant Type Fruit tree
Family Annonaceae
Genus Annona
Species Annona squamosa x Annona cherimola
Native Area American tropics
Exposure Full sun
Height 30’
Watering Requirements Moderate
Pests & Diseases Mealybugs, scale insects, chalcid flies, phytophthora collar rot, leaf spots
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Well-draining, rich loam
Hardiness Zone 9-11

What is an Atemoya Tree?

For the longest time, the Atemoya trees were referred to as cherimoya. However, they are a hybrid of sweet apple and cherimoya: Annona squamosa x Annona Cherimola

The fruit is especially popular in Taiwan where it’s known as ‘pineapple sugar apple’ while in Lebanon and Israel, the fruit is called “achta”. “Chirimorinon” is what it’s referred to in Venezuela, and in Tanzania it’s referred to as the “mini soursop”.

Native Area

A ripe fruit of the Annona squamosa x Annona Cherimola, having hard and bumpy-looking skin attached to a woody stem
It is native to Florida but was taken to tropical regions across the globe.

This fruit tree is native to Miami, where it was initially developed in 1908 by P.J. Wester, a horticulturist at the USDA. In 1911, seeds were taken to the Philippines, and its international popularity in tropical regions of the world began. While it may be native to Florida, it grows well in tropical climates worldwide.

Characteristics

A round and bumpy fruit with green hue, located in the shade still attached to a woody stem and branch looking brown with other greens in the background
It can grow tall, reaching up to 30 feet.

The atemoya tree is a fast-growing perennial that closely resembles the cherimoya. These trees can easily reach a height of up to 30 feet. They have drooping branches and deciduous leaves that are elliptical and leathery but less hairy than those of the cherimoya tree. 

The hybrid plant also bears beautiful triangular, long-stalked, pale yellow flowers. An interesting aspect of this plant is that its flowers are hermaphroditic. One day, a flower will open between 2 and 4 pm as a female blossom. The next day, between 3 and 5 pm, it will open as a male flower full of sticky pollen.

Atemoya trees bear bumpy, heart-shaped fruits that are eight to twelve inches in length. The rind of the fruits is pale green and slowly turns yellow as they ripen. The flesh is white in color with firm, black seeds. Its unique flavor resembles a custard or flan and has been described as similar to a pina colada or vanilla flavor.

Planting

Three pieces of bumpy fruit with green hue, still attached to a brown woody branch along with deep green leaves with other greens in the background
Saplings may struggle to develop if not started properly.

Atemoya is an interesting tree, but it requires care to be started properly. It’s best to plant atemoya during its dormant period, from late winter into very early spring. This reduces the risk of transplant shock. Whether growing from bare-root stock or in a pot, your atemoya will need the warmer season to get established, so don’t plant it late in the active growing season. 

Spacing is key for your atemoya. As it’s fairly large when fully grown, it needs plenty of room. 28-30′ apart is generally considered a good spacing, although they can be grown slightly closer together if in an orchard setting.

Opt for a location with full sun coverage year-round. Stay away from structures, power lines, or water/gas/sewer pipes to prevent the roots or foliage from causing hazardous conditions.

High winds can cause damage to the tree’s canopy, so try to find a location where it is at least partially sheltered from the wind. Using other trees at least 20′ away as a windbreak can be effective.

Growing the plant from seed can take quite a while. Germination takes about four weeks, and you should not plant your young tree in the ground until it’s at least one year old.

When planting in the soil, dig a much larger hole than you expect to need. You’ll want to loosen the soil at least a few feet from the current root size. Amend with compost as necessary.

Plant your tree at the same depth that it was in the pot. Bare-root trees should have their roots soaked for a few minutes before planting, and you should spread out the roots so they don’t spiral. Mulch around the base of your atemoya to prevent weeds from developing and to keep moisture in the soil. 

How to Grow

Atemoya is relatively hardy, but still prefers some very specific conditions. Here’s everything you should know about its care and maintenance. 

Light

A tall plant with healthy green leaves and fruits, having a sturdy looking trunk with branches spreading out toward the sky
It can tolerate heat but needs shade in extremely warm weather.

This tree needs full sun for at least eight hours every day. In very hot climates, it will do with some afternoon shade. With the optimal amount of sunlight, it will produce more and better fruits. It’s not a good choice for indoor growing.

Water

A soaker hose meant to keep soil moist consistently, placed at the base of plants with mulch surrounding the area with the hose looking damp
They thrive with consistent moisture, which can be provided by a soaker hose.

Regular and consistent watering is best for your atemoya. While somewhat drought-tolerant, they perform better if they are not water-stressed. Using a soaker hose around the base of your tree to provide deep, slow watering two to three times a week is good for the first year. Reduce watering as you move into the fall and winter; in those months, the plant doesn’t need the extra moisture as much.

Older trees can tolerate short periods of drought, but a lack of water during fruiting can reduce the fruit size. Be cautious not to provide too much water during fruiting, though. Too much water can cause the fruit’s flavor to be less appealing. 

As a general rule, an inch or two of water per week is plenty for a mature atemoya tree.

Soil

Close up of female hands holding fresh loose soil of dark brown color with loose texture.
It can survive in unfavorable soil mixes.

It grows best in deep, rich, loamy to sandy soils with the ideal pH between 6.6 and 7.5. While it can tolerate poor soil, amending it with lots of compost provides a nice kickstart for your tree’s health. These can grow in hard clay, but if the soil’s too hard it will take longer for it to develop a healthy root system.

Your soil must be well-draining. Soggy soils which don’t drain excess water well can lead to root rot.

Temperature

The fruit of an Annona squamosa x Annona Cherimola surrounded by green leaves with brown discoloration, with the edges looking damaged
They prefer warm climates but can tolerate the cold with protective measures.

The atemoya tree is native to Miami, Florida, and as such does best in warm climates. Its ideal temperature range is between 75-90°F (24-32°C).

While young plants are a little vulnerable to frost, mature trees can withstand temperatures as low as 27°F (-3°C). If the temperature starts dropping below 40°F (4°C), consider using some form of cold protection such as blankets wrapped around the trunk and branches.

Fertilizing

A person wearing a blue shirt with long sleeves using bare hand to sprinkle granular fertilizer on the ground, with the grains falling downward
Use fertilizer only after two to three years from planting.

Avoid fertilizing your plant until it’s two to three years of age. The young roots are very sensitive to fertilizer burn. Similarly, avoid fertilizing the soil around newly transplanted trees for the same reason. Give them time to settle in and harden up a bit.

Once your tree is well-established, use a slow-release granular fertilizer twice a year. The first dose should be in the spring, approximately a month before flowering. The rest should be applied between the flowering and fruiting phases.

Maintenance

A woody plant with a lush and dense layer of leaves, appearing bright green placed in a sunny area providing shade to the ground
Prune them when young to promote air circulation between leaves and branches.

In the first few years, your pruning should open up the canopy to allow good airflow. Cuts should be carefully selected to create a strong and resilient frame upon which further growth can develop.

Once the tree is four or five years old, you can prune it for shaping purposes or to allow increased light and airflow into the center of the canopy. At this point, only light pruning is required each year. 

Prune before new buds start to open in the spring. Late winter is ideal for most fruit pruning purposes.

Propagation

A vivid and bright green fruit of the Annona squamosa x Annona Cherimola, still attached to the woody stem and branch
It is possible to propagate by grafting or using seeds.

Atemoya propagation is typically done by seed or grafting. Seeds should be planted in soil at least 70°F (21°C) and kept warm and moist for the roughly four weeks they take to germinate. A seedling heating mat can help keep the temperature consistent. 

Grafts from fruiting wood are often applied to sugar apple rootstock or cherimoya rootstock. While sugar apple is preferred in the US, cherimoya is often chosen in Israel. For young sugar apple or cherimoya rootstock, use a tongue graft for best development. If grafting onto older trees to expand the canopy, a cleft or bark graft can be used.

Harvesting

A person using bare hand to harvest the fruit of an Annona squamosa x Annona Cherimola, placed somewhere with abundant sunlight
Harvest the fruits when they become matures, which happens as their skin turns a yellow-green hue.

Atemoya fruit can be harvested from August through October. When the fruit matures and ripens, the color changes from a true green to yellowish-green. As atemoyas do not ripen once harvested, one must give special attention to the bumps or areoles around the fruit’s surface. Pale, creamy white lines will form around the areoles, which is a sign that the space between them is widening. Until those lines appear, do not harvest fruits!

To harvest, use a sterile pair of pruning shears to clip through the stem just above the fruit. Do not pull the fruit by hand to avoid damaging the branches.

Storage

A pile of green bumpy fruits of the Annona squamosa x Annona Cherimola, placed on a brown wooden surface in the shade
Freeze the flesh of these fruits to help them last longer.

Ripe fruits should only be stored in the fridge for three to four days. For longer-term storage, remove the skins and seeds and freeze the fruit. This fruit works well for making ice cream or smoothies. 

Common Problems

There are only a few problems you might experience – but let’s discuss those!

Growing Problems

Vivid green and lush leaves appearing wet with water droplets on their surface, attached to dark brown stems with other branches in the background
They are prone to root rot and other issues caused by too much moisture.

Overwatering can cause severe issues for your plant. Not at all resilient to root rot or other soil-borne fungi, it needs to have excellent drainage. Ensure that your atemoya does not have standing water around it at any time to reduce the spread of rot-causing fungi.

Atemoya is susceptible to a condition known as “little leaf”, where it produces leaf sizes that are smaller than average. This is not a disease but is a zinc deficiency. Foliar spraying will remedy this issue and improve the growth of future leaves.

Pests

A green citrus fruit covered in white pests appearing fluffy and powdery, causing problems and damage to the plant
They can be targets of the citrus mealybug that appears on other similar fruit-bearing plants.

The citrus mealybug, Planococcus citri, is one of the most common pests for this plant. Other forms of scale insects including white and pink wax scale and brown olive scale can also gather on the stems or leaves. The use of horticultural and dormant oil reduces scale and mealybug populations. Neem oil has a similar effect. For particularly stubborn infestations, use an insecticidal soap.

The chalcid fly can cause fruit damage and should be eliminated using fly traps such as a yellow sticky trap. 

Diseases

A close-up of a plant's roots affected by a fungus, showing discolored, decaying roots and dark soil.
The base of the trunk and leaves can become infected by fungal diseases.

Phytophthora collar rot can manifest around the base of the trunk. Gum will ooze out of the bottom of the trunk and the upper crown roots. To treat, carefully remove the bark and rot, then wipe the area down with a wet towel to be sure you’ve removed it all.

Some forms of fungal leaf spot can also affect your atemoya. These are not usually severe or particularly dangerous to the plant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is atemoya a custard apple?

It’s been called custard apple in the past, particularly in Queensland and New South Wales. Sometimes, it’s still referred to as a custard apple. However, it’s a hybrid, Annona squamosa x Annona cherimola. The custard apple is Annona reticulata, a related species but not quite the same. The fruits do not have the same flavor profile at all, as custard apple tastes custardy, whereas the mini soursop has a vanilla-pina colada flavor.

Is atemoya toxic to humans or pets?

All Annona species plants have seeds which are toxic to both humans and their pets. These seeds should be removed before eating the fruits.


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