Lúcuma Pouteria lucuma
Lúcuma (Pouteria lucuma) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Sapotaceae family, native to Inter-Andean valleys of Peru, Ecuador and Chile. It grows 6–12 m (20–39 ft) tall and 5–9 m (16–30 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 8 m (26 ft) apart.
Plan Lúcuma in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Lúcuma at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Sapotaceae |
| Mature height | 6–12 m (20–39 ft) |
| Mature spread | 5–9 m (16–30 ft) |
| Spacing | 8 m (26 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | about 157–314 weeks after planting, for 9–26 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: fruit flesh |
| Native to | Inter-Andean valleys of Peru, Ecuador and Chile |
| Common in gardens of | 🇵🇪 Peru |
Is Lúcuma toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: seeds
The flesh is a common food; toxicity of the seed and latex to pets is not documented.
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 Lúcuma
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Lúcuma
- How far apart should I plant Lúcuma?
- About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–9 m (16–30 ft).
- Does Lúcuma need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Lúcuma need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Lúcuma?
- It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Lúcuma flower?
- About 157–314 weeks after planting, for 9–26 weeks.
- Is Lúcuma poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not known to be toxic. The flesh is a common food; toxicity of the seed and latex to pets is not documented.
- What grows well with Lúcuma?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Lúcuma. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
Notes and assumptions
- Southern hemisphere season (GDD counted from 1 July). Grows from the coast to mid-altitude Andean valleys; frost-tender when young. Fruit takes 8–10 months to ripen, with a harvest from about December to April.
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
- 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
- Abiu Pouteria caimito
- African star apple (agbalumo, udara) Gambeya albida