Abiu Pouteria caimito
Abiu (Pouteria caimito) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Sapotaceae family, native to Amazon basin (Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela). It grows 6–12 m (20–39 ft) tall and 4–8 m (13–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 6 m (20 ft) apart.
Plan Abiu in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Abiu at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Sapotaceae |
| Mature height | 6–12 m (20–39 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 6 m (20 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: fruit |
| Native to | Amazon basin (Peru, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Abiu toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
The flesh is eaten; the skin has a sticky latex.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Abiu
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
Questions about Abiu
- How far apart should I plant Abiu?
- About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–8 m (13–26 ft).
- Does Abiu need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Abiu need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Abiu?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Abiu flower?
- From about May for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Abiu poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. The flesh is eaten; the skin has a sticky latex.
- What grows well with Abiu?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Abiu. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Fruits of Warm Climates (Morton, 1987), Purdue University NewCROP
- Flora e Funga do Brasil, Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (REFLORA)
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
Notes and assumptions
- Bright yellow fruit with translucent, caramel-sweet flesh; grown commercially in north Queensland. Needs humid tropics without long dry spells.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lúcuma Pouteria lucuma
- Argan tree Sideroxylon spinosum
- Shea tree Vitellaria paradoxa
- Sapodilla (chico, lamut) Manilkara zapota
- Star apple (caimito) Chrysophyllum cainito
- Spanish cherry (bullet wood, phikun) Mimusops elengi
- Mamey sapote Pouteria sapota
- African star apple (agbalumo, udara) Gambeya albida