Wild custard apple (African custard apple) Annona senegalensis
Wild custard apple (African custard apple) (Annona senegalensis) is a deciduous perennial fruit plant in the Annonaceae family, native to Savanna across tropical Africa to north-eastern South Africa, and Madagascar. It grows 2–6 m (6.6–20 ft) tall and 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 0 °C (32 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
Plan Wild custard apple (African custard apple) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Wild custard apple (African custard apple) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Annonaceae |
| Mature height | 2–6 m (6.6–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 0 °C (32 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: ripe fruit pulp (sweet, apricot-like) |
| Native to | Savanna across tropical Africa to north-eastern South Africa, and Madagascar |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇰🇪 Kenya, 🇳🇬 Nigeria |
Is Wild custard apple (African custard apple) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: seeds
Like other Annona, the seeds contain acetogenins and should not be eaten or crushed.
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 Wild custard apple (African custard apple)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Wild custard apple (African custard apple)
- How far apart should I plant Wild custard apple (African custard apple)?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does Wild custard apple (African custard apple) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Wild custard apple (African custard apple) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Wild custard apple (African custard apple)?
- It tolerates about 0 °C (32 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Wild custard apple (African custard apple) flower?
- From about March for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Wild custard apple (African custard apple) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Like other Annona, the seeds contain acetogenins and should not be eaten or crushed.
- What grows well with Wild custard apple (African custard apple)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Wild custard apple (African custard apple). 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).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PROTA4U: Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, PROTA Foundation, Wageningen
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
Notes and assumptions
- A savanna plant of hot summers and a long dry season; it wants sharp drainage and resents cold, wet winters.
- A small, blue-green, fire-resistant savanna shrub that resprouts after grass fires. The knobbly fruits turn orange-yellow when ripe in early summer.
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
- Custard apple (bullock’s heart) Annona reticulata
- Climbing ylang-ylang (karawek) Artabotrys hexapetalus
- Grains of Selim (Ethiopian pepper, uda) Xylopia aethiopica