Sapodilla (chico, lamut) Manilkara zapota
Sapodilla (chico, lamut) (Manilkara zapota) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Sapotaceae family, native to Southern Mexico, Belize and Guatemala. It grows 8–15 m (26–49 ft) tall and 6–10 m (20–33 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 0 °C (32 °F). Space plants about 8 m (26 ft) apart.
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Sapodilla (chico, lamut) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Sapotaceae |
| Mature height | 8–15 m (26–49 ft) |
| Mature spread | 6–10 m (20–33 ft) |
| Spacing | 8 m (26 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 8 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About 0 °C (32 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | about 209–313 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: ripe fruit |
| Native to | Southern Mexico, Belize and Guatemala |
| Common in gardens of | 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇮🇳 India, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Sapodilla (chico, lamut) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: seeds, unripe fruit latex
Seeds have a hook that can lodge in the throat, and unripe fruit is full of chicle latex; eat only soft ripe flesh.
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 Sapodilla (chico, lamut)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Sapodilla (chico, lamut)
- How far apart should I plant Sapodilla (chico, lamut)?
- About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–10 m (20–33 ft).
- Does Sapodilla (chico, lamut) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Sapodilla (chico, lamut) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Sapodilla (chico, lamut)?
- It tolerates about 0 °C (32 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Sapodilla (chico, lamut) flower?
- About 209–313 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks.
- Is Sapodilla (chico, lamut) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Seeds have a hook that can lodge in the throat, and unripe fruit is full of chicle latex; eat only soft ripe flesh.
- What grows well with Sapodilla (chico, lamut)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Sapodilla (chico, lamut). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
Notes and assumptions
- Brown-sugar flavoured fruit; the tree’s latex (chicle) was the original chewing gum. Very wind- and salt-tolerant.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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