White sapote (zapote blanco) Casimiroa edulis
White sapote (zapote blanco) (Casimiroa edulis) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Rutaceae family, native to Highlands of Mexico and Central America. It grows 6–15 m (20–49 ft) tall and 6–12 m (20–39 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -4 °C (25 °F). Space plants about 7 m (23 ft) apart.
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White sapote (zapote blanco) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Rutaceae |
| Mature height | 6–15 m (20–49 ft) |
| Mature spread | 6–12 m (20–39 ft) |
| Spacing | 7 m (23 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 | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -4 °C (25 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | from about January for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: fruit |
| Native to | Highlands of Mexico and Central America |
| Common in gardens of | 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇮🇱 Israel |
Is White sapote (zapote blanco) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: seeds, leaves
The kernels and leaves contain sedative compounds (the source of the Nahuatl name cochitzapotl, “sleep sapote”); only the flesh is 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 White sapote (zapote blanco)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Sweet orange: Asian citrus psyllid spreads huanglongbing (citrus greening) between citrus and relatives such as orange jasmine (Murraya). Keep new citrus away from infected or neglected hosts. Evidence B
Questions about White sapote (zapote blanco)
- How far apart should I plant White sapote (zapote blanco)?
- About 7 m (23 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–12 m (20–39 ft).
- Does White sapote (zapote blanco) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does White sapote (zapote blanco) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is White sapote (zapote blanco)?
- It tolerates about -4 °C (25 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does White sapote (zapote blanco) flower?
- From about January for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is White sapote (zapote blanco) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. The kernels and leaves contain sedative compounds (the source of the Nahuatl name cochitzapotl, “sleep sapote”); only the flesh is eaten.
- What grows well with White sapote (zapote blanco)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for White sapote (zapote blanco). 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).
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- Fruits of Warm Climates (Morton, 1987), Purdue University NewCROP
- Calscape: California native plants, California Native Plant Society
Notes and assumptions
- Palmate leaves of 3–7 leaflets; apple-sized green-yellow fruit with sweet, custard-like white flesh. Thrives in southern California and subtropical highlands.
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
- Lemon tree (dwarf) Citrus limon
- Curry tree Murraya koenigii
- Kaffir lime Citrus hystrix
- Common rue Ruta graveolens
- Sweet orange Citrus x sinensis
- Mandarin orange Citrus reticulata
- Persian lime Citrus x latifolia
- Key lime Citrus x aurantiifolia