Placeholder

Green Sapote

Scientific Name: Pouteria sapota

Also Known As

  • Mamee Sapote
  • Zapote

Plant type

tree, fruit / vegetable

size

  • H: 60'-130'
  • W: 30'-40'

planting zones

  • 10a-12

More Options

Green Sapote plant details

Green Sapote is a broadleaf evergreen fruit / vegetable or tree with green foliage. In spring and summer white flowers emerge followed by green fruit. Attracts birds. Grows well with sun and regular water. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Green Sapote

Plant type: fruit / vegetable or tree
Plant family: sapotaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 30 FT - 40 FT - wide, 60 FT - 130 FT - tall
Flowers: white blooms in spring and summer
Uses: edible, tropical-looking

GROWING CONDITIONS for Green Sapote

USDA Zones: 10a - 12
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: regular
Resistant to: heat
Soil needs: average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Alternate vernacular names include sapota, zapote, zapote colorado, zapote mamey, lava-zapote, zapotillo, mamey sapote, mamee sapote, mamee zapote, mamey colorado, mamey rojo, mammee or mammee apple or red sapote. The sapote tree is erect, frequently to 60 ft (18 m) sometimes to 100 or 130 ft (30 or 40 m) with short or tall trunk to 3 ft (1 m) thick, often narrowly buttressed, a narrow or spreading crown, and white, gummy latex. The evergreen or deciduous leaves, clustered at the branch tips, on petioles 3/4 to 2 in (2-5 cm) long, are obovate, 4 to 12 in (10-30 cm) long, and 1 1/2 to 4 in (4-10 cm) wide, pointed at both ends. The small, white, to pale-yellow 5-parted flowers emerge in clusters of 6 to 12 in the axils of fallen leaves along the branches. The fruit may be round, ovoid or elliptic, often bluntly pointed at the apex, varies from 3 to 9 in (7.5-22.8 cm) long, and ranges in weight from 1/2 lb to 5 lbs (227 g-2.3 kg). It has rough, dark-brown, firm, leathery, semi-woody skin or rind to 1/16 in (1.5 mm) thick, and salmon-pink to deep-red, soft flesh, sweet and pumpkin-like in flavor, enclosing 1 to 4 large, slick, spindle-shaped, pointed seeds, hard, glossy-brown, with a whitish, slightly rough hilum on the ventral side. The large kernel is oily, bitter, and has a strong bitter-almond odor. The sapote tree is limited to tropical or near-tropical climates. In Central America, it flourishes from sea-level up to 2,000 ft (610 m); it is less common at 3,000 ft (914 m); and rare at 4,000 ft (1,220 m). Occasional trees have survived at 5,000 ft (1,500 m) but these grow slowly and fruit maturity is considerably delayed. Young specimens are highly cold-sensitive and the large leaves of the tree are subject to damage by cold winds. The sapote has been found too tender for California. It thrives in regions of moderate rainfall–about 70 in (178 cm) annually–and is intolerant of prolonged drought. Even a short dry spell may induce shedding of leaves. The tree makes its best growth on the heavy soils–deep clay and clay loam–of Guatemala but it does well on a wide range of soil types, even infertile, porous sand. It was originally believed unsuited to the oolitic limestone soils of southern Florida. However, with adequate planting holes, it has proved to be long-lived and fruitful in Dade County. The tree will not thrive where there is poor drainage, a high water table, or impermeable subsoil restricting root development.

Gardening facts about Green Sapote plant

How to Grow Green Sapote

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun
  • Water Needs

    • regular
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • white
  • Wildlife

    • birds
  • Fruit

    • green
  • Flower Season

    • spring
    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
Mailing List
Sign Up for updates on new plant arrivals and deals

© 2010—2025 Plant Lust, LLC All Rights Reserved