Caimito Live Plant – Green Star Apple Tree, 3-4 Feet Tall in 3 Gallon Pot, Tropical Indoor Outdoor Fruit Tree

Overview

Cultivate your own exotic fruit at home with this premium caimito live plant. Also known as the green star apple tree (Chrysophyllum cainito), this tropical specimen is prized for its delicious, round fruit with a distinctive star-shaped core and glossy green skin. Originating from the Caribbean and Central America, the Caimito tree is not only a source of sweet, juicy fruit but also an attractive ornamental plant with lush foliage. This particular live plant arrives healthy and robust, typically measuring 3 to 4 feet tall and established in a 3 gallon pot, making it an excellent addition for both seasoned gardeners and those new to tropical fruit cultivation. Its versatile nature allows it to be grown in suitable outdoor climates or as a container plant in cooler regions, providing a touch of the tropics wherever it’s placed. Experience the joy of growing your own star apple, a truly unique and rewarding endeavor.

Key Benefits

Growing a caimito live plant offers numerous advantages, from its aesthetic appeal to the delicious fruits it yields. This tropical tree is a fantastic choice for those looking to add a unique and productive element to their garden or indoor space.

• Exotic Fruit Production: Enjoy fresh, sweet, and juicy star apples directly from your own tree. The fruit is known for its unique star-shaped core and refreshing taste, perfect for eating fresh or in desserts.
• Ornamental Value: Beyond its fruit, the green star apple tree boasts beautiful, glossy green leaves with a coppery underside, making it an attractive addition to any landscape or patio.
• Versatile Growing Options: Suitable for planting directly in the ground in warm, tropical climates or for growing in a container, allowing it to be moved indoors during colder months, making it adaptable to various environments.
• Relatively Low Maintenance: Once established, this tropical fruit plant requires moderate watering and enjoys full sun, making it a manageable addition to your garden or indoor collection.
• Unique Conversation Starter: The distinctive appearance of the fruit and the tree itself is sure to capture attention and spark curiosity among friends and family, making it a wonderful talking point.
• Health Benefits: Caimito fruit is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, contributing to a healthy diet and offering a sweet, natural treat.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your caimito live plant is straightforward, especially when you understand its tropical origins. This green star apple tree thrives in warm, humid conditions and requires consistent attention to light, water, and soil to ensure healthy growth and abundant fruit production. Proper care will help your tropical fruit plant flourish.

For optimal growth, provide your Caimito with full sun exposure, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. If growing indoors, place it near a south-facing window or supplement with a grow light. The tree prefers well-draining soil, ideally a loam or sandy soil mix. Ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging, which can be detrimental to the roots. Water moderately, keeping the soil consistently moist but never soggy. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Reduce watering frequency during cooler, dormant periods. This plant is suited for USDA Zones 10 to 11, where it can be grown outdoors year-round. In cooler zones, it must be brought indoors when temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C).

Fertilize your Caimito tree with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer during the growing season (spring and summer) to support fruit development and foliage. Young trees may benefit from regular pruning to establish a strong structure and encourage branching. Monitor for common pests like aphids or scale insects and treat with organic insecticidal soap if necessary. The star apple care routine is not overly demanding, but attention to these details will ensure a thriving and productive tree.

Size & Details

This caimito live plant is a robust specimen, typically standing 3 to 4 feet tall upon arrival, making it a substantial addition to your garden or home. It is proudly established in a 3 gallon nursery pot, providing a healthy root system ready for transplanting. Caimito trees are known for their moderate growth rate, eventually reaching heights of 20-50 feet in ideal outdoor conditions, though they can be kept smaller through pruning when grown in containers. Expect fruit production to begin within 3-5 years from planting, rewarding your patience with delicious star apples. The tree’s overall dimensions when shipped are approximately 8 x 8 x 45 inches, ensuring a well-developed plant that is ready to thrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: This caimito live plant arrives 3 to 4 feet tall. If planted in the ground in ideal tropical conditions, it can eventually reach 20-50 feet. When grown in a container, its size can be managed through regular pruning.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: The green star apple tree is shipped in a 3 gallon nursery pot, providing ample space for its root system and ensuring a healthy start in your garden or home.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Caimito tree is a tropical plant best suited for outdoor growth in USDA Zones 10-11. In cooler climates, it can be grown outdoors during warm months and brought indoors as a container plant when temperatures drop, making it a versatile tropical fruit plant.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This tree thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to produce the best fruit. If growing indoors, place it in the brightest possible location.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: With proper attention to its needs for sunlight, water, and well-draining soil, the caimito live plant is relatively easy to care for once established. Consistent moisture and warmth are key to successful star apple care.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your Caimito plant will arrive as a healthy, live tree, approximately 3-4 feet tall, established in a 3 gallon pot, and ready for planting or continued container growth.
• Q: How long until it produces fruit? A: Typically, Caimito trees begin to bear fruit within 3-5 years after planting, given optimal growing conditions and care.
• Q: What is the best soil for a Caimito tree? A: The Caimito tree prefers well-draining soil, such as a loam or sandy soil. Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot.
• Q: Can I grow this plant in a colder climate? A: Yes, in colder climates (outside USDA Zones 10-11), you can grow the green star apple tree in a large container and move it indoors to a bright, warm location during the winter months.
• Q: What are the fruits like? A: The fruit of the Caimito, or Star Apple, is round, typically green or purple-skinned, and has a sweet, juicy pulp with a distinctive star pattern when cut horizontally.