Sugar Apple Tree | Sweet Tropical Custard Apple

Sugar Apple

5 Gallon

$199.00

$199.00 $0.00

1/4

Sugar Apple

Annona squamosa

Classic "Custard Apple" Look • Prolific & Fast-Fruiting • Intensely Sweet, Floral Flavor

$199.00

$199.00 $0.00

24-hour Money-back Guarantee

Free Delivery Over $199

+1 650-241-8858 (SMS ok)

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 Sugar Apple is the classic, beloved "custard apple," instantly recognizable by its distinct, knobby, scale-like segments. Cracking open its green shell reveals sweet, fragrant, creamy-white flesh with a granular, custard texture that clings to numerous hard, black seeds. Its flavor is a direct, sugary sweetness with floral undertones. While it has more seeds and a less smooth texture than cherimoya, its fast growth, prolific nature, and unmistakable nostalgic flavor make it a favorite in tropical gardens worldwide.

Iconic for its lobed, knobby appearance with defined, scale-like segments.
Flesh is very sweet, creamy, and fragrant with a pleasant, granular texture.
A fast-growing, small tree that begins fruiting at a young age.
More heat-tolerant and drought-resistant than cherimoya but less cold-tolerant.
Contains many hard, shiny black seeds; seeds are toxic if crushed and ingested.
The tree is semi-deciduous, often losing leaves briefly in cool/dry winters.

Flavor Profile:

Flavor: Straightforward, candy-like sweetness with subtle floral and spice notes.
Texture: Creamy but distinctly granular or lumpy, like a soft, sweet custard with many seeds.
Best Uses: Primarily eaten fresh by breaking open segments and scooping out the flesh, spitting out the seeds. Also used in milkshakes and desserts.

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:Flowers: Small, triangular pale-yellow blossoms on long stems; self-pollinating.Foliage: Oval, semi-glossy leaves with prominent veining; semi-deciduous.Fruit:Large heart-shaped aggregate fruit.Distinctive segmented green skin with large, fleshy scales.High-gloss surface with powdery bloom.Sweet, custard-like white flesh.Minimal dark brown, glossy seeds
Habit: Semi-evergreen tree with irregular spreading branches
Mature Height: 15-20 ft
Mature Width: 15-25 ft (wide-spreading crown)
Growth Rate: Fast
Light Needs: Full sun to partial shade
Key Advantages:True "sweetsop" - among the sweetest tropical fruits.Self-fertile (doesn't require cross-pollination).Drought-tolerant once established.Early fruiting (often bears in 2-3 years)
Special Characteristics:Unique scaly exterior (easily recognizable).Fragrant flowers attract pollinators.Wide-angled branching creates natural shade
Landscape Uses:Tropical fruit orchards.Cottage gardens.Container growing (when pruned).Shade tree in warm climates

Q: Are the seeds poisonous?
A: Yes, the seeds are toxic and should not be crushed or ingested. They contain annonacin, a neurotoxin. Simply spit them out when eating the fruit. Avoid using seed in smoothies.

Q: How do you open and eat it?
A: The fruit naturally splits along its segments when ripe. Gently pull it apart with your hands. Eat the creamy flesh from each segment directly, being careful to avoid the hard seeds.

Q: What's the difference between Sugar Apple and Cherimoya?
A: Sugar Apple has knobby skin, granular flesh, many seeds, and a simpler, sweeter flavor. Cherimoya has smoother skin, creamy flesh, fewer fibers, and a more complex, tropical flavor. Cherimoya is often considered the premium fruit of the two.