Custard apple (bullock’s heart) Annona reticulata
Custard apple (bullock’s heart) (Annona reticulata) is a deciduous perennial fruit plant in the Annonaceae family, native to Caribbean, Central America and northern South America. It grows 5–10 m (16–33 ft) tall and 4–7 m (13–23 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 0 °C (32 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
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Custard apple (bullock’s heart) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Annonaceae |
| Mature height | 5–10 m (16–33 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–7 m (13–23 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 moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 0 °C (32 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April 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 | Caribbean, Central America and northern South America |
| Common in gardens of | 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇮🇳 India, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇨🇴 Colombia |
Is Custard apple (bullock’s heart) toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: seeds, bark
Annona seeds contain annonaceous acetogenins (e.g. annonacin), which are neurotoxic; the seeds are never eaten.
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 Custard apple (bullock’s heart)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Custard apple (bullock’s heart)
- How far apart should I plant Custard apple (bullock’s heart)?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–7 m (13–23 ft).
- Does Custard apple (bullock’s heart) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Custard apple (bullock’s heart) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Custard apple (bullock’s heart)?
- It tolerates about 0 °C (32 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Custard apple (bullock’s heart) flower?
- From about April for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Custard apple (bullock’s heart) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people moderately toxic. Annona seeds contain annonaceous acetogenins (e.g. annonacin), which are neurotoxic; the seeds are never eaten.
- What grows well with Custard apple (bullock’s heart)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Custard apple (bullock’s heart). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Fruits of Warm Climates (Morton, 1987), Purdue University NewCROP
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
- eFlora of India, eFlora of India / Botanical Survey of India contributors
Notes and assumptions
- Heart-shaped reddish-brown fruit with a faint net pattern and sweet, grainy white custard. Briefly leafless in the dry season; hand-pollination improves fruit set.
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
- Cherimoya Annona cherimola
- Ylang-ylang Cananga odorata
- Soursop (guanábana) Annona muricata
- Sugar apple (sweetsop) Annona squamosa
- Climbing ylang-ylang (karawek) Artabotrys hexapetalus
- Grains of Selim (Ethiopian pepper, uda) Xylopia aethiopica
- Wild custard apple (African custard apple) Annona senegalensis