White Sapote (Casimiroa edulis)
White sapote (Casimiroa edulis), produces fruit with a flavor that's truly tropical and indulgent—soft, creamy, and sweet, often described as a blend of banana, pear, vanilla, and even custard. The fruit has a smooth, pale flesh with a pudding-like texture and subtle notes of citrus or peach, depending on the variety. The last one I tasted was like a creamy pear. A peary guava. And we’re always trying new ones and starting the seed.
Growing white sapote from seed offers several benefits. Though seed-grown trees may take 5–7 years to bear fruit, they tend to develop a stronger root system—especially a deep taproot—making them more drought-resistant and well-adapted to challenging conditions. There's also the potential to discover new and unique fruit qualities, as white sapote is genetically diverse and not dependent on grafting for good fruit quality. And this is how we find what is best suited to New Orleans.
Afraid to go in ground? White sapote is also surprisingly well-suited to container cultivation, especially in climates like New Orleans where occasional frosts occur. While it prefers to be in the ground long-term, it can grow well in large pots—especially during its early years—if given a deep container (to accommodate its taproot), excellent drainage, and full sun. Growing in a container allows gardeners to protect young trees from winter cold by moving them into a greenhouse or sheltered spot during freezes. With regular pruning and care, even potted white sapote trees can flower and fruit. Its combination of flavor, adaptability, ease of seed propagation, and container-friendliness makes white sapote an excellent candidate for edible forests, patio orchards, or urban gardens in the New Orleans area.
White sapote (Casimiroa edulis), produces fruit with a flavor that's truly tropical and indulgent—soft, creamy, and sweet, often described as a blend of banana, pear, vanilla, and even custard. The fruit has a smooth, pale flesh with a pudding-like texture and subtle notes of citrus or peach, depending on the variety. The last one I tasted was like a creamy pear. A peary guava. And we’re always trying new ones and starting the seed.
Growing white sapote from seed offers several benefits. Though seed-grown trees may take 5–7 years to bear fruit, they tend to develop a stronger root system—especially a deep taproot—making them more drought-resistant and well-adapted to challenging conditions. There's also the potential to discover new and unique fruit qualities, as white sapote is genetically diverse and not dependent on grafting for good fruit quality. And this is how we find what is best suited to New Orleans.
Afraid to go in ground? White sapote is also surprisingly well-suited to container cultivation, especially in climates like New Orleans where occasional frosts occur. While it prefers to be in the ground long-term, it can grow well in large pots—especially during its early years—if given a deep container (to accommodate its taproot), excellent drainage, and full sun. Growing in a container allows gardeners to protect young trees from winter cold by moving them into a greenhouse or sheltered spot during freezes. With regular pruning and care, even potted white sapote trees can flower and fruit. Its combination of flavor, adaptability, ease of seed propagation, and container-friendliness makes white sapote an excellent candidate for edible forests, patio orchards, or urban gardens in the New Orleans area.
White sapote (Casimiroa edulis), produces fruit with a flavor that's truly tropical and indulgent—soft, creamy, and sweet, often described as a blend of banana, pear, vanilla, and even custard. The fruit has a smooth, pale flesh with a pudding-like texture and subtle notes of citrus or peach, depending on the variety. The last one I tasted was like a creamy pear. A peary guava. And we’re always trying new ones and starting the seed.
Growing white sapote from seed offers several benefits. Though seed-grown trees may take 5–7 years to bear fruit, they tend to develop a stronger root system—especially a deep taproot—making them more drought-resistant and well-adapted to challenging conditions. There's also the potential to discover new and unique fruit qualities, as white sapote is genetically diverse and not dependent on grafting for good fruit quality. And this is how we find what is best suited to New Orleans.
Afraid to go in ground? White sapote is also surprisingly well-suited to container cultivation, especially in climates like New Orleans where occasional frosts occur. While it prefers to be in the ground long-term, it can grow well in large pots—especially during its early years—if given a deep container (to accommodate its taproot), excellent drainage, and full sun. Growing in a container allows gardeners to protect young trees from winter cold by moving them into a greenhouse or sheltered spot during freezes. With regular pruning and care, even potted white sapote trees can flower and fruit. Its combination of flavor, adaptability, ease of seed propagation, and container-friendliness makes white sapote an excellent candidate for edible forests, patio orchards, or urban gardens in the New Orleans area.