Sugar apple (sweetsop) Annona squamosa
Sugar apple (sweetsop) (Annona squamosa) is a deciduous perennial fruit plant in the Annonaceae family, native to Tropical Americas. It grows 3–6 m (10–20 ft) tall and 3–5 m (10–16 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 4 m (13 ft) apart.
Plan Sugar apple (sweetsop) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Sugar apple (sweetsop) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Annonaceae |
| Mature height | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 4 m (13 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: fruit pulp |
| Native to | Tropical Americas |
| Common in gardens of | 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇮🇳 India, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇲🇽 Mexico |
Is Sugar apple (sweetsop) toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: seeds
Seeds are toxic and irritate the eyes; not to be crushed or 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 Sugar apple (sweetsop)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Sugar apple (sweetsop)
- How far apart should I plant Sugar apple (sweetsop)?
- About 4 m (13 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–5 m (10–16 ft).
- Does Sugar apple (sweetsop) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Sugar apple (sweetsop) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Sugar apple (sweetsop)?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Sugar apple (sweetsop) flower?
- From about April for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Sugar apple (sweetsop) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Seeds are toxic and irritate the eyes; not to be crushed or eaten.
- What grows well with Sugar apple (sweetsop)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Sugar apple (sweetsop). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- PROSEA: Plant Resources of South-East Asia, PROSEA Foundation, Bogor
Notes and assumptions
- Knobbly segmented fruit (atis, mãng cầu na); drops leaves in the dry season and flowers with the new growth.
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
- 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