Cherimoya Annona cherimola
Cherimoya (Annona cherimola) is a deciduous perennial fruit plant in the Annonaceae family, native to Inter-Andean valleys of Ecuador and Peru. It grows 4–7 m (13–23 ft) tall and 3–5 m (10–16 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
Plan Cherimoya in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Cherimoya at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Annonaceae |
| Mature height | 4–7 m (13–23 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6.5–7.6 |
| Cold hardiness | About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 33 °C (91 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: fruit flesh |
| Native to | Inter-Andean valleys of Ecuador and Peru |
| Common in gardens of | 🇵🇪 Peru |
Is Cherimoya toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: seeds, leaves, bark
Seeds, leaves and bark contain annonacin and other acetogenins (neurotoxic and insecticidal); the flesh is safe, but the seeds must not be eaten or crushed.
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 Cherimoya
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Cherimoya
- How far apart should I plant Cherimoya?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–5 m (10–16 ft).
- Does Cherimoya need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Cherimoya need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Cherimoya?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Cherimoya flower?
- From about June for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Cherimoya poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people moderately toxic. Seeds, leaves and bark contain annonacin and other acetogenins (neurotoxic and insecticidal); the flesh is safe, but the seeds must not be eaten or crushed.
- What grows well with Cherimoya?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Cherimoya. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Semi-deciduous: it drops leaves during cool or dry spells. Flowers open female before male (protogynous), so hand pollination is common in gardens without the native beetle pollinators. Grafted trees fruit in 3–4 years. Needs mild subtropical conditions: neither frost nor heat above 33 °C.
- Chilling requirement is small and not well quantified; it is omitted.
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
- Pawpaw Asimina triloba
- Ylang-ylang Cananga odorata
- Soursop (guanábana) Annona muricata
- Sugar apple (sweetsop) Annona squamosa
- Custard apple (bullock’s heart) Annona reticulata
- Climbing ylang-ylang (karawek) Artabotrys hexapetalus
- Grains of Selim (Ethiopian pepper, uda) Xylopia aethiopica
- Wild custard apple (African custard apple) Annona senegalensis