Chico Sapote Tree | Sweet Brown-Sugar Flavor Fruit

Chico Sapote

5 Gallon

$299.00

Chico Sapote

Manilkara zapota,Sapodilla, Naseberry, chicle, Sapodilla Plum

Unique Caramel & Brown Sugar Flavor • Incredibly Drought & Wind Tolerant • Historic Heirloom Fruit

$299.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

The Chico Sapote, commonly known as Sapodilla, is a captivating tropical heirloom that rewards patience with a uniquely decadent flavor. This stately evergreen tree, the original source of chicle gum, bears rough, brown fruits that hide a secret: soft, melting flesh often described as a heavenly blend of brown sugar, caramel, and ripe pear. Its texture is uniquely granular yet smooth, and its sweetness is profound and complex. A slow-growing but incredibly hardy and drought-tolerant tree, the Sapodilla is a long-term investment for a taste of the tropics that can't be found in stores.

Renowned for its exceptionally sweet, rich flavor reminiscent of brown sugar, caramel, and pear.
Flesh is soft, granular yet melting, ranging in color from yellow to reddish-brown.
A very slow-growing but incredibly tough, evergreen tree, highly tolerant of drought, poor soil, and wind once established.
The tree's bark was the original source of chicle, the base for chewing gum.
Fruit has a rough, brown, inedible skin and contains 3-12 glossy black seeds.
Can grow large but is amenable to pruning and can be maintained at a manageable size.

Flavor Profile:

Flavor: Uniquely rich and sweet with dominant notes of caramel, malt, and brown sugar, with subtle pear-like undertones.
Texture: Soft, slightly grainy (like a fine pear), and melting when fully ripe.
Best Uses: Primarily a sublime fresh-eating fruit, best scooped out of the skin. Also excellent in milkshakes, smoothies, and desserts where its caramel flavor shines.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Foliage:Oblong-elliptic leaves (3-5" long).Leathery texture with glossy dark green surface.Coppery-pink new growth.Distinctive spiral arrangement on branches.Flowers:Small, bell-shaped yellowish-white blooms.Subtle sweet fragrance.Extended flowering season (April-September).Fruit:Egg-shaped with pointed end (2-4" long).Rough brown skin resembling a kiwi.Soft, juicy flesh with caramel-like sweetness.3-12 shiny black seeds
Mature Size:Height: 60-100 ft in tropics.Width: 30-50 ft
Growth Rate: Slow
Key Advantages:Exquisite tropical flavor - "natures caramel".Ornamental value - attractive pyramidal form.Latex production - source of chicle (original gum base).Drought tolerant - deep root system
Landscape Uses:Tropical fruit orchards.Shade tree.Evergreen screen.Wildlife habitat

Q: How do I know when a sapodilla is ripe?
A: It's tricky! The skin remains brown. Look for a slight softening, like a ripe kiwi, and the loss of any green tinge. A more reliable method is to gently scratch the skin; if it reveals green underneath, it's not ready; if it's yellowish, it's ripe. The fruit will also detach easily from the stem when ready.

Q: Why is the fruit gritty?
A: The characteristic fine, sandy texture (from stone cells called sclereids) is natural and part of its charm, similar to a pear. It softens as the fruit becomes very ripe.

Q: How long until it bears fruit?
A: Patience is key. Seed-grown trees can take 5-8 years to fruit. Grafted trees from a nursery will fruit much sooner, typically in 3-4 years.